Last Updated on June 18, 2025 1:18 pm
MARS HILL, N.C., June 18, 2025 – The Roan Mountain Recreation Area, the popular Pisgah National Forest site known for its spectacular rhododendron blooms, will reopen on Friday, June 20, following severe damage last year from Hurricane Helene. The reopening is just in time for the annual rhododendron festivals in Bakersville, North Carolina, and Roan Mountain, Tennessee, taking place June 20-22.
Roan Mountain is a rare and important habitat that’s home to some of the most unique plants and animal species in the world, including rare spruce fir forests, rhododendron gardens, and over 250 rare or endangered plants. Several threatened species, like the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel and Spruce Fir Moss Spider, rely on this area to survive.
“The rhododendron festivals bring in thousands of visitors, so they are important to western North Carolina’s economic recovery after the disruption caused by Helene. We’re excited to reopen the Roan Mountain Recreation Area and be part of this celebration. Celebrating the Roan’s natural beauty is even more special this year as we see the renewal and recovery of this special place,” said Forest Supervisor James Melonas.
The reopening follows a series of major improvements that included paving the garden's parking lot, culvert replacements, well and waterline rehabilitation, and redecking of scenic overlooks.
The site has been closed for an extended period for infrastructure renovations and because of significant storm damage from Hurricane Helene, which brought 100 mph winds to the area. These winds heavily impacted the spruce fir forest atop the mountain, causing loss of tree canopy and creating hazardous conditions. Ongoing recovery efforts include debris removal and forest restoration to reduce wildfire fuels and protect this high elevation ecosystem that are not fire adapted.
To reduce wildfire risk, the Forest Service is removing downed trees and debris across 25 acres in the Roan Mountain area using specialized equipment and techniques that minimize disturbance to the landscape. Experts are developing plans to replant and rehabilitate the area.
Once the site reopens, work will continue in the area Mondays through Thursdays until the end of July. The portion of the Cloudland Trail between the Cloudland and Gardens parking lots will remain closed. Visitors should use caution when traveling near active debris removal zones and brush trucks.
Additional paving on the road to Roan Mountain is expected later this summer after the debris removal concludes, tentatively by the end of July.
For updates and information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina or follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook.
A rhododendron bush in bloom on the Roan Mountain Recreation Area (photo by Alexandra Davison, USDA Forest Service).
