Experience Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina is ready: Your communities, attractions, and landscapes are ready to welcome travelers with open arms and familiar warmth. As a cornerstone of this region, your continued hospitality helps reignite the magic that draws visitors back, whether it’s their first trip or their fifth.

How You Can Help
Your visit plays a vital role in supporting local communities and the continued recovery of these historic and natural spaces. Whether you're hiking a scenic trail, exploring a museum exhibit, or discovering the stories of a historic site, every visit makes a difference.

Thank you for your support as we rebuild and restore North Carolina’s natural and cultural treasures!

Know Before You Go
Some attractions may have modified hours, limited access, or ongoing recovery efforts. 

Before visiting, we recommend:
Checking individual site websites or social media for the latest updates.
Calling ahead to confirm operating hours and available amenities.
Respecting any temporary closures or restricted areas as recovery efforts continue.

North Carolina Western Regional Archives

The Western Regional Archives (WRA) collects, preserves, and makes available for public use historical and evidential materials relating to western North Carolina. The WRA is administered by the State Archives of North Carolina and carries out its archival mission and programs. The holdings consist primarily of private collections and some microfilmed county records.

Visit the Western Regional Archives

Current status of NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources sites in Western North Carolina:

Site NameStatusNotes

OPEN 

Repair work ongoing. 

OPEN 

Operating from a temporary location: 78-C Catawba Ave., Old Fort 

OPEN 

 

OPEN 

Backcountry Trail is closed and all campsites are closed until further notice.

OPEN 

 

OPEN 

 

OPEN 

 

OPEN 

 

MOSTLY OPEN 

Closures: Mill’s Creek Trail, East Wimba Trail, and West Wimba Trail. Also, a footbridge is closed for repairs on the southern leg of the Overmountain Victory Trail.

OPEN 

 

OPEN 

 

PARTIALLY OPEN 

Most trails and campsites are open. All campers must enter through Boone Fork parking area or Asutsi parking area. Profile parking area, Profile Trail, and Profile Connector Trail remain closed. 

PARTIALLY OPEN 

Both the Clear Creek access and the Jacob Fork access are open. Some facilities, including the High Shoals Falls Loop and waterfall viewing areas, remain closed until further notice. Visitors should not access them because of continued hazards.

CLOSED 

Long-term closure until further notice. 

OPEN

 

PARTIALLY OPEN 

The U.S. 221 access, Wagoner access, and Elk Shoals access are open. The King Creek access remains closed. Campgrounds between 221 Walk-In and Prather’s Creek are closed for repairs.

OPEN 

 

OPEN