Last Updated on February 9, 2025 2:12 pm
Mars Hill, N.C. (Feb. 4, 2025) – The U.S. Forest Service has reopened more trails and roads throughout areas of the Pisgah National Forest’s Appalachian Ranger District in Haywood, Madison, Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell, and Avery counties following the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
With the support of partners and volunteers, the Forest Service has successfully cleared 137 miles of trails on the Appalachian Ranger District since the storm stuck in late September 2024, accounting for 42 percent of the district’s trails. This includes more than 114 miles of the Appalachian Trail on the Pisgah National Forest.
In addition, the Forest Service has surveyed and cleared nearly 240 miles of roads across the district to date, accounting for nearly 76 percent of the district’s roads and providing improved access to public and local residents.
“A very big thank you to all of our volunteers and partners who continue to give their time and energy to help us overcome the seemingly insurmountable task of clearing these trails and roads so we can welcome the public back safely,” said Appalachian Ranger District Jen Barnhart.
“There’s still a lot of work ahead of us, but our volunteers have really shown how dedicated they are to seeing the Pisgah National Forest recover from Helene.”
The Appalachian Trail is open on the Pisgah National Forest from I-40 to Indian Grave Gap (milepost 241.3 to 351.8), which traverses Haywood, Madison, and Yancey counties, as well as from Hughes Gap to Carvers Gap to Doll Flats (milepost 373.1 to 390.9) in Mitchell and Avery counties.
In Yancey and Buncombe counties, a portion of the Big Butt Trail from the Highway 197 trailhead (Cane River Gap) to the Little Butt viewpoint is open. The portion of this trail from the Little Butt viewpoint to the Blue Ridge Parkway trailhead is closed. All trails in Haywood and Madison counties are open.
Despite the significant progress made to reopen the district, several trails and roads remain closed, including:
Avery County
- Elk Falls Trail & Elks Fall Road
Mitchell County Trails & Roads
- Poplar Boat Launch Road
- Appalachian Trail
- Indian Grave Gap to Iron Mt. Gap
- Iron Mt. Gap to Hughes Gap
Roan Mountain
- Cloudland Trail
- Roan Mountain Gardens Trail including Loop A and B
- Roan Mountain Road & Balsam Road
Buncombe County
- Mountains to Sea Trail
- Ogle Meadows Road
- All trails and roads within the Big Ivy and Shope Creek areas.
Yancey County
- All trails and roads within the South Toe/Mt. Mitchell areas.
- Lost Cove Trail
- Devils Creek Trail
- Bowlens Creek Road
- Hunt Camp Road
Haywood County
- Haynes Road (Hurricane Creek)
- Buzzard Roost Road
- Old Buzzard Roost Road
Madison County
- Murray Branch Road
In Haywood County, the Harmon Den Campground will open in May during its regular open season (May thru October). The following developed recreation sites and campgrounds remain closed due to damage from Helene:
- Murray Branch Picnic Area
- Stackhouse Boat Launch
- Black Mountain Campground
- Brian Bottom Campground
- Poplar Boat Launch
- Roan Mountain Recreation Area
Visitors should stay off all closed roads and trails and out of closed developed recreation sites for their own safety, as crews and heavy equipment may be actively working in those areas. Please do not attempt to go around any road closure signs or closed trail gates.
For the latest reopening information across the Pisgah National Forest, follow https://www.facebook.com/nfsnc/ on Facebook or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1224532.
