While private RV parks across Hurricane Helene’s path are struggling to reopen, public lands also have their hands full. Here’s a roundup of information on the status of national parks, based on information developed by National Parks Traveler.
Post-Helene national parks recovery—All park staff safe and sound
First, the good news. All Park Service personnel are safe and well. Considering the death and injury tolls from across the region, this is a great thing. But the Park Service has a big job ahead. The Service has deployed its Eastern Incident Management Team to assist parks in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina with damage assessments and recovery.
As we mentioned in our story regarding private RV parks and campgrounds, Florida is not the only state to have suffered heavy damage. The same appears true for the national parks system. On the “parks closed” list remain: Cumberland Island National Seashore and Fort Pulaski National Monument, both in Georgia; Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina is open; the Newfound Gap Road which crosses the park will reopen tomorrow.
“Several park employees in both North Carolina and Tennessee are dealing with emergencies at home or are unable to drive to work due to closed roads. Multiple employees are also assisting the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding communities,” a park release said. “While we recognize that this is a popular time to visit the park, visitors are encouraged to reschedule their trips for their own safety.
“If visitors choose to visit, they are asked to recreate responsibly—know your limits, avoid water recreation and know that emergency response times may be delayed. Hiking and backcountry travel are not recommended due to the unpredictability of creek crossings, potential of downed trees and other hazardous trail conditions. Emergency services are currently stretched thin and have already responded to several incidents (many unrelated to the storm) in the last several days.”
Areas closed in Great Smoky Mountains include:
- Balsam Mountain area, campground and roads
- Big Creek area, campground and roads
- Cataloochee Valley area, campground and roads (including Hwy 284)
- Deep Creek (the creek itself) between Indian Creek Bridge and the park boundary closed to all water activity
- Deep Creek Campground
- Foothills Parkway East
- Kuwohi Road (formerly known as Clingmans Dome Road)
- Kuwohi Visitor Center
- Lakeview Drive
- Newfound Gap Road/Hwy 441
- Oconaluftee Visitor Center
- Parson Branch Road (due to Flint Gap Fire impacts)
- Smokemont Campground
Other areas of concern
Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains, authorities closed the entire section that runs in North Carolina on Monday due to unspecified impacts.
Hikers were asked to stay off the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Georgia and North Carolina. This is due to the extensive damage sustained in those states.
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recommending that visitors reschedule their trips. The states of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia have declared a state of emergency,” read an announcement on the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s website.
At Congaree National Park, staff said on its social media channels that “[M]ost trails, including the boardwalk, are severely flooded and will likely remain under water for some time after the park reopens. Once the flood water has receded, park staff will begin repairs to the boardwalk and other trails.”
On the open list?
The Opal Beach Complex of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida opened Sunday, and the Fort Pickens area reopened Monday. The Fort Pulaski National Monument in Georgia will reopen today, Oct. 1. Utilities were out across the park, but the actual damage was minimal. This brought the gates shut for several days, according to a park release.
The Helene and National Parks relationship has been a tough one. But if anything, the national parks are resilient.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 That is a lot of damage and likely to take a long time to repair. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Great travel information R&T. Thank you !