North Carolina Travel.

Additional Airlifts Planned for LeConte Lodge Recreation Building Demolition Project Oct. 6-9

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional airlifts from Oct. 6-9 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building. The scheduled airlifts are expected to occur between 9 a.m. and noon each day. In the event of hazardous weather, the park may delay airlifts or extend the time beyond the scheduled flight window. The park continues to work around adverse weather conditions, prioritizing the safety of everyone involved.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Completes Reconstruction of Historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in partnership with Friends of the Smokies, has completed a full reconstruction of the historic John Messer Barn in Greenbrier following extensive storm damage. Park leadership, Friends of the Smokies leadership and descendants of the Greenbrier community celebrated the milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 28.

Blue Ridge Parkway Completes Historic 75-Mile Road Rehabilitation Project

The National Park Service today announced the completion of a more than $100 million rehabilitation of 75 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Western North Carolina.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Reports Status Updates After Recent Coastal Storm

Cape Hatteras National Seashore experienced significant impacts from the recent coastal storm. Dare County has declared a State of Emergency for Hatteras Island. As a result, non-resident travel to Hatteras Island is currently prohibited.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Plans Maintenance on Gatlinburg Spur from Sept. 28-Oct. 1

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will complete essential maintenance along the Gatlinburg Spur starting Sept. 28. This work will enhance roadside vistas for visitors who drive on the Gatlinburg Spur. This will require temporary single-lane closures to allow park staff to safely and efficiently complete this work.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Announces Temporary Off-Road Vehicle Ramp Closures Due to Severe Weather Conditions

Beginning Sept. 24, Cape Hatteras National Seashore temporarily closed all off-road vehicle ramps as deteriorating coastal conditions continue to impact the area. The closures are in place due to hazardous driving conditions and risks that drivers will become stranded at high tides. Additionally, the beach from the northern boundary of Rodanthe to Atlantic Drive in Rodanthe, is closed to all access as multiple threatened oceanfront structures pose risks to public safety.

Strong Winds, Large Surf and Hazardous Travel Conditions Expected at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is monitoring potentially hazardous coastal conditions expected from Tuesday, Sept. 22, through Friday, Sept. 25, as a strengthening offshore low-pressure system is expected to impact the Outer Banks.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail Closed to Visitors Sept. 24 for Mowing

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will temporarily close Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail on Sept. 24 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to safely complete roadside mowing and other maintenance.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Reminds Visitors to View Elk and Black Bears Safely this Fall

Great Smoky Mountains National Park reminds visitors to view wildlife safely as elk and black bear activity increases this fall. Autumn offers opportunities to witness elk during their annual breeding season, known as the rut, and to observe bears feeding on fall food sources. While these experiences can be amazing to witness, they also require caution, awareness and respect for wildlife.

Additional Airlifts Planned For LeConte Lodge Recreation Building Demolition Sept. 14-18

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is planning additional airlifts to from Sept. 14-18 to remove materials from the demolished LeConte Lodge Recreation Building.

Temporary Closures on Little River Road Sept. 15 and 17 for Road Maintenance

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close the section of Little River Road between the Townsend Wye and Elkmont for essential road maintenance on September 15 and 17.

Upcoming Single-Lane Closures on Gatlinburg Spur Sept. 14-30

Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through the end of the month, Great Smoky Mountains National Park will conduct multiple projects on the Gatlinburg Spur that will require single-lane closures. Visitors driving between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge during the closures can expect traffic delays. For the safety of park personnel and other drivers, please drive with extra caution.

Autumn is in the Air in the Great Smoky Mountains

As autumn approaches, Great Smoky Mountains National Park looks forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy its world-renowned fall foliage. The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, wildlife viewing and special events bring in a high volume of visitors, congested traffic and limited parking. Check out the tips below to navigate the crowds and make the most of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Upcoming Half-Day Closures of Kuwohi Road on Sept. 10 and 15 for Educational Programs

Great Smoky Mountains National Park will temporarily close Kuwohi Road and the trail to Kuwohi Observation Tower the mornings of Thursday, September 10, and Tuesday, September 15, to facilitate special educational programs for students from Swain County and Qualla Boundary schools. The park will close the road and parking lot at 8 p.m. the night before each event and will reopen it by 2 p.m. each day.

Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak Confirmed Safe Outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

After a multi-day search, Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak was confirmed safe this afternoon in North Carolina outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Continues Search for Marcin Bachleda‑Blaszczak with Multi-Agency Assistance

Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to search for Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak who was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24. With support from partner agencies, search efforts remain active within the park boundary and have expanded beyond the park as the investigation continues.

Guilford Courthouse Seeks Citizen Scientists to Identify Aquatic Species at Weekend Bio-Blitz

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park invites the public to participate in a Bio-Blitz from Sept. 12 to 13. Citizen scientists will use iNaturalist to identify aquatic and semi-aquatic species including fish, aquatic insects, freshwater mussels, amphibians, reptiles and crustaceans that live in the park’s creeks and springs.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Expands Search for Marcin Bachleda‑Blaszczak with 57‑Member Team

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with assistance from local agencies, continues to search for Marcin Bachleda-Blaszczak, who was reported missing on the evening of Aug. 24.

Old Days at the Weather Station

Come explore the historic US Weather Bureau Station and hear amazing stories that intertwine with our own lives and major historic events.

Life on a Barrier Island (Ocracoke)

Wars, hurricanes, winds, and ocean currents have all had impacts on the shores of Cape Hatteras. Join us to learn about the forces of change and the captivating world of life on an island .

Beach Bird Walk (Hatteras)

An introduction to the shorebirds of Hatteras. Meet winged residents and those traveling the Atlantic Flyway. Binoculars are available.

Totally Turtles!

Learn about sea turtles through interactive games and activities for all ages.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse: Reflect on the Past, Preserve for the Future

Discuss the details and history of this beautiful sentinel and learn about current restoration efforts.

Midday Mountain Music (Blue Ridge Music Center - Milepost 213)

Midday Mountain Music is a free, informal music presentation featuring local and regional musicians held in the Blue Ridge Music Center's covered breezeway, milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Galax, Virginia. Midday Mountain Music takes place from 12-3pm each day when the Music Center is open. Join us for a few minutes or for the whole afternoon! No tickets are needed.

Building Appalachia: A Geologic Story (Ranger Talk – Museum of North Carolina Minerals milepost 331)

Formed over the eons by titanic forces within the earth, the mountains of Appalachia are among the most majestic mountains on earth. Stop by the Museum of North Carolina Minerals to enjoy a 20-minute ranger talk & learn more about the fascinating geologic history of the Blue Ridge. Ranger talk presented at the Museum of North Carolina Minerals (Parkway milepost 331)

One Big House: Guided Walk (Humpback Rocks Visitor Center - Milepost 6)

Have you ever wondered how the forest, the farm, our homes shape us? Join a Ranger on a guided walk discussing the ecology in and around the historic farm at Humpback Rocks. Come and see how folks lived over a hundred years ago in the beautiful Blue Ridge and how they affect us today. It’s a journey through time and a journey through nature. The program will start from the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center, go through the farm, and return. The tour will be up to half an hour long, covering about half of a mile in distance. Subject to cancelation due to inclement weather.

Schedule change — confirm with NPS before traveling.

Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Join a park ranger for a starry night beside the Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The park ranger will give a program about different constellations, stories about using the stars for navigation, and more. Enjoy the first International Dark Sky Park on the East Coast. Visitors will experience the night skies with the sound of the waves crashing along the shore. Island Express Ferry Service will be taking visitors from Harkers Island Visitor Center to Cape Lookout Lighthouse by passenger ferry. Ferry passengers will disembark from the starlight cruise for a laser-pointed tour of the night sky by a park ranger. Visitors should bring chairs, bug spray, jackets, and red-light flashlights. The program will be around the Cape Lookout Lighthouse, where chairs are not available. Restrooms are available at the Light Station Visitor Center and at Harkers Island Visitor Center. This program is weather dependent. If rain or wind is predicted, the event will be canceled.

Fall Festival

Rangers and park volunteers will offer a variety of engaging programs that appeal to visitors of all ages at the first annual Fall Festival. Outside Visitor Center Operation Guilford Courthouse Throughout the fight for independence, patriots developed covert techniques to deliver hidden messages right under British noses. Junior Rangers will uncover the process behind sending undetectable letters using invisible ink and will write their own secret messages using a similar method. They will then dive deep into the world of codes and ciphers and decode hidden messages in primary source documents. Put your spy skills to the test! Greene Monument Lawn Activities Colonial Medicine In 18th century America, there was limited knowledge and treatments for the sick or injured. Medicine had to be shipped to the colonies. Those who lived in the backcountry of North Carolina were not the first to receive medical supplies. What techniques did they use when common medicines were not widely available? Learn about colonial medical techniques and ingredients in backcountry North Carolina. Colonial Games Arts and Crafts

Guided Tour of Flat Top Manor (Moses H Cone Memorial Park - Parkway milepost 294)

The Gilded Age “Denim King”, Moses H. Cone, turned his hand from textile manufacturing to becoming a “gentleman farmer” in the late 1890s. And what better way to emphasize “gentleman” than to build a 23-room mansion in the Blue Ridge mountains? Join a ranger to ascend the grand staircase of the Cone manor house, and peek into the past while touring the living spaces of this local industrialist. Learn about the legacy of the Cone family from Moses’ beginnings as a grocery salesman to the family’s patronage of the fine arts in Baltimore. Then join the ranks of the manor staff as you descend the steep and narrow servant’s stairs to visit the butler’s pantry and kitchen. Learn about the lives of the inside servants, the outdoor estate workers, and the ordinary folk who kept the 3,600 acre country estate in impeccable working order. IMPORTANT: All participants MUST be able to climb and descend two flights of stairs, as this historic building does not have an elevator. Guided tours are limited to 18 people and advance reservations are STRONGLY recommended. Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance by calling the Moses H. Cone Manor House. We cannot take reservations more than 5 days in advance. (828) 295-3782

Guided Tour of Flat Top Manor (Moses H Cone Memorial Park - Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 294)

The Gilded Age “Denim King”, Moses H. Cone, turned his hand from textile manufacturing to becoming a “gentleman farmer” in the late 1890s. And what better way to emphasize “gentleman” than to build a 23-room mansion in the Blue Ridge mountains? Join a ranger to ascend the grand staircase of the Cone manor house, and peek into the past while touring the living spaces of this local industrialist. Learn about the legacy of the Cone family from Moses’ beginnings as a grocery salesman to the family’s patronage of the fine arts in Baltimore. Then join the ranks of the manor staff as you descend the steep and narrow servant’s stairs to visit the butler’s pantry and kitchen. Learn about the lives of the inside servants, the outdoor estate workers, and the ordinary folk who kept the 3,600 acre country estate in impeccable working order. IMPORTANT: All participants MUST be able to climb and descend two flights of stairs, as this historic building does not have an elevator. Guided tours are limited to 18 people.Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance by calling the Moses H. Cone Manor House. We cannot take reservations more than 5 days in advance. (828) 295-3782