The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced today that six division sites are celebrating their 50th anniversary as National Natural Landmarks (NNL) as designated by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. This unique designation signifies an area with rare biological and geological resources. The NNL program is administered by the National Park Service.On May 30, 1974, Mount Mitchell was designated as a National Natural Landmark. N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D.
Morrow Mountain State Park will host a reopening event Sunday, May 19, 2-4 p.m., to celebrate the completion of a major construction project that upgraded the park’s vacation cabins, pool house, concession stand, and hiking and bridle trails as well as added new camper cabins and a splash pad.
August 23, 2024, 9am - 5pm
Quarterly meeting of the Parks & Recreation Authority
June 7, 2024, 9:30am - 4:30pm
Quarterly public meeting of the Parks & Recreation Authority
To kick off National Safe Boating Week, 11 state parks and 3 other sites will each host beginners’ kayaking safety programs on Saturday, May 18, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced. The “Kayaking 101” events are being offered as a collaboration with the division, the North Carolina chapter of the American Canoe Association (ACA), and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Lake Norman and Eno River state parks will host inaugural “Poetry in the Park,” events on April 20 and April 27, respectively, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced. The events are planned as part of the division’s Arts in the Parks initiative and are being held in commemoration of National Poetry Month in April.
April 10, 2024, 10am - 10:45am
Special Parks and Recreation Authority Virtual Meeting
Hammocks Beach State Park’s Bear Island will close campsites and ferry service through at least the summer for a major construction project to make necessary water and septic system repairs and replacements, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced.There is currently no potable water or working restrooms at Bear Island. The ferry service, which normally begins operating in April, will not open until construction is complete. Campsites are also closed to new reservations until construction is complete.
The Division of Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Wildland Fire Engine Academy, March 3-9, 2024, at Haw River State Park.The academy is a joint effort with the Florida Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina State University, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the U.S. Forest Service.
The second public information meeting for the Pisgah View State Park Master Plan will be held Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Upper Hominy Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, 1795 Pisgah Highway in Candler. Members of the public are encouraged to drop in at any time and can expect to spend 20-30 minutes to review, discuss, and provide feedback on the proposed options for the development of the park.