U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina

10/01/2026

South Toe River Road (FR 472) Update!

In addition to Black Mountain Campground reopening, 3.8 miles of South Toe River Road have reopened, providing access from the campground toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. Access to the parkway remains closed at the upper end of the road.

A turnaround is available for passenger cars and trucks. It is not large enough to accommodate trailers and RVs. The road will close for the season January 1st to April 1st, along with the other seasonal closures on the Appalachian Ranger District.

10/01/2026

09/30/2026

09/30/2026

We had another great National Public Lands Day at Max Patch this past Saturday!

A huge thank you Carolina Mountain Club, volunteers, partners and sponsors who helped make the day a success. In total, 86 volunteers from three states, worked across 9 project sites to improve this beautiful and treasured area.

Projects included trail repairs and maintenance such as replacing a rotten creek crossing step ladder, rebuilding a horse stile, installing steps, improving drainage, widening sections of the trail and removing excess vegetation and a downed tree. These efforts will help protect the trail and create an overall better visitor experience.

We are also grateful to Franklin Tate with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Luke Mason, U.S. Forest Service Recreation Technician, for sharing about the importance of volunteer stewardship.

Special thanks to the community members, sponsors, and volunteers who provided support including volunteer t-shirts, door prizes and plenty of delicious treats to keep everyone going.

Photo 1: Volunteers pose in group photo for National Public Lands Day at Max Patch. U.S. Forest Service courtesy photo by David Huff.
Photo 2: Crews work to install check steps- a type of trail step that improves erosion control. U.S. Forest Service courtesy photo by Paul Curtin.

09/30/2026

A huge thank you to our local Scouts for lending a helping hand at Uwharrie National Forest on National Public Lands Day!

More than 50 scouts and volunteers from Troop 442 and 888 and Packs 328 and 442 spent the weekend cleaning up trash and debris along Badin Lake. Using 16 canoes, two boats and a barge, the group covered an impressive 9 miles of shoreline, collecting everything from camp trash to a surprising number of tires.

We are so grateful for our partners and community members who help us care for our public lands.

Photos: Scouts pose for a photo by Badin Lake. Forest Service courtesy photos by Bruce Kolkebeck.

09/30/2026

What badge will you collect next?

Explore the National Forests and Grasslands Passport — a free digital stamp experience where you can check in at all 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands, share your adventures, and collect virtual badges along the way.

Each badge showcases the unique landscapes, plants, and wildlife of that forest.

Start your journey by downloading the free OuterSpatial app: http://www.nationalforests.org/passport

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

The Siddie Fields Day Use Area on the Croatan National Forest closed this week as we kick off a wide-ranging project to repair storm damage on sites along the Neuse River, improve access and infrastructure, and strengthen resiliency to withstand future hazardous weather events.

09/28/2026