In western North Carolina, many backcountry campsites — meaning areas a little off the beaten path and with fewer amenities — are closed or have restrictions due to persistent drought conditions and increased risk of fire. That’s according to the state’s Division of Parks and Recreation.
There are nine state parks with restrictions on backcountry camping including Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. All of the parks are also under the state burn ban.
Officials say that visitors to any park across the state should be taking extra care to ensure that campfires, grills, and stoves are never left unattended. They also urge people to confirm that any embers, wood, or coals are completely extinguished before leaving.
The campsite closures will remain in effect until December 1. Some parks in the western part of the state will still allow various combinations of RV and tent camping.
For more details, visit the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation website.