Laurel Knob Panthertown , NC

01/03/2025

Here is Friends of Panthertown’s 2024 year in review. Thank you partners, volunteers, donors, and board members. We rely on YOU to Protect Panthertown and support our mission of conservation. Stay tuned for our 2025 calendar of workdays and programs.

Happy New Year, Friends!

10/12/2024

Panthertown Valley is open as of today (10/11). Visit panthertown carefully and please send us a trail report if you see downed trees or other trail issues. We have a workday planned on Great Trails State Day which lands on October 19th from 9 am - 2 pm at the Salt Rock Gap Trailhead and we’d love for you to join us. We understand WNC is going to take quite a while to heal. We ask that you help out the community first, people are priority, but if you get some free time we’d love your help out on the trails. We’ll be having a grilled cheese party afterwards to celebrate all the hard work that was put in.

RSVP at panthertown.org/volunteer!

09/30/2024

As response efforts continue in areas impacted by , the public should stay away from both the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests until assessments can be made and recreation sites can be reopened safely. Regardless of whether you’re an experienced hiker, camper or off-roader, conditions on both forests remain hazardous, and if something were to happen, forest rangers and emergency services won’t be able to reach you.

Our administrative offices on both the Pisgah and Nantahala, including visitor centers, are closed until further notice. Please follow us on social media and visit fs.usda.gov/nfsnc for the latest information.

11/08/2023

The Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are now restricting campfires to ensure public health and safety and to protect forest lands and nearby communities. The restrictions are effective immediately and will stay in effect until December 31, 2023, or until rescinded.

Given the elevated fire danger across western North Carolina, the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests are prohibiting campfires outside of developed campground sites with campground hosts. Additionally, the use of fireworks or other pyrotechnical devices is prohibited year-round on all national forests.

While the use of commercially available fuel stoves, such as portable gas camp stoves or grills, is not prohibited, forest visitors are reminded to not leave stoves or grills unattended.

A campfire in an USDA Forest Service provided metal fire pit, metal fire ring, or pole mounted grill at a developed recreation area or campground with a camp host can still continue. Campgrounds on the Nantahala and Pisgah that have campground hosts at this time of year include Balsam Lake Lodge, Curtis Creek Campground, Davidson River Campground, Kimsey Creek Group Camp, Lake Powhatan Campground, North Mills River Campground, Sunburst Campground, Standing Indian Campground, and Wolf Ford Horsecamp.

Forest visitors are reminded to not block roads or gates and respect any firefighting efforts in the area.

Please call your nearest ranger station if you have questions. You may access the fire restrictions order and other alerts on our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nfsnc/alerts-notices.

11/06/2023

Burn ban issued for 14 counties in Western North Carolina due to hazardous forest fire conditions

Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning, including campfires anywhere in Panthertown, effective 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, until further notice.

During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.

Due to increased fire risk, the N.C. Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties effective 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, until further notice.

Read news release: https://bit.ly/40qX2IL.

04/01/2023

According to unofficial sources at the United States Forest Service, in a risky first of its kind installation, an experimental solar backup generator will be constructed this week in Panthertown Valley above Schoolhouse Falls to provide recycled solar power in the event of a hydroelectric power failure.to the popular waterfall destination.

[READ MORE]
https://panthertown.org/2023/04/01/solar-powered-backup-generators-to-be-installed-at-schoolhouse-falls/

Solar-Powered Backup Generators To Be Installed At Schoolhouse Falls APRIL 1, 2023 - CASHIERS, NC According to unofficial sources at the United States Forest Service, in a risky first of its kind installation, an experimental solar backup generator will be constructed this week in Panthertown Valley...

05/20/2022

The U.S. Forest Service is now requiring anybody who stays overnight in Panthertown Valley to use a bear canister or place odiferous items in one of the three bear lockers installed in the popular backcountry area. More bear lockers will be installed in the future. “Bears are very reluctant to giv...

11/10/2021

Awesome.

08/24/2021

Many parts of Panthertown Valley have been impacted as a result of heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Storm Fred. In the interest of resource protection, visitors are encouraged to use caution on the trails. A full trails assessment is in the works.   Use caution on the trails, especially around cr...

08/20/2021