NCWRC Operations Closings and Alerts

Boating Access Area Closings

Visit the Commission's Where to Boat page.

Game Land Closings

Updated February 22, 2024

Due to weather-related and other incidents, access on the following game lands or game land areas is restricted. Access roads and trails will remain closed until they have each been evaluated and deemed to be safe and suitable for public use.

 

  • Angola Bay Game Land - Ferney Road and other roads in Pender County may be temporarily closed due to road raising work. 
  • Big Bradley Falls Trail at Green River Game Land - The waterfall and the posted areas adjacent to the waterfall along the Big Bradley Falls Trail have been designated as a Temporary Restricted Zone by the Commission until further notice. Entry into the Zone is prohibited without first obtaining written approval from the Commission. Written approval can be obtained by filling out and signing a Memorandum of Agreement (click link for Outfitter or Individual Agreement) and emailing it to gamelands@ncwildlife.org. The signed Agreement will be returned to you via email within 5 business days. For questions about the Agreement, please call 919-707-0150 or email gamelands@ncwildlife.org. Anyone who accesses the area without prior written approval could be charged with a Class 3 Misdemeanor, which carries a fine of $25 and additional court costs.
  • Buffalo Cove Game Land - Cove Branch Road is closed at the lower gate for logging. The anticipated date of reopening is October 2, 2024.
  • Hyco Game Land - a 28-acre area adjacent to the dam on After Bay Reservoir is temporarily closed due to maintenance and construction by Duke Energy. The area's perimeter is posted with "No Trespass" signs.
  • National Forests - current alerts and closures are listed on this page.
  • Pisgah Game Land: Linville River Tract (Burke County) - A 2-mile section of the Lake James Loop / Fonta Flora Connector trail stretching east from Wolf Pit Road to Fish Hatchery Road will be temporarily closed beginning 10/30/2023 until further notice to facilitate a forest restoration project on the game land. For the safety of the public, due to ongoing timber harvesting operations, heavy equipment use, and stream rehabilitation activities, use of this section of trail will be prohibited. Updates regarding the reopening of the trail will be posted on site and as they become available. For a map of the closed section of trail click here.

Public Fishing Area Closings

Updated March 1, 2024

  • Blewett Tailrace PFA - Blewett Falls Lake, Anson County - closed for renovation until June 2025. See Duke Energy Water Access Alerts.
  • Corpening Bridge PFA - Johns River, Burke County - closed due to flooding damage until further notice.
  • Magazine Branch PFA - Calderwood Reservoir, Swain County - closed for repairs by Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower from 3/18/2024 until further notice.
  • Mountain Island PFA - Mountain Island Reservoir, Gaston County - closed for dam maintenance until early 2026. See Duke Energy Water Access Alerts.