NCWRC Operations Closings and Alerts

Conservation Area Closings

Updated October 17, 2024

• Kings Bridge Wildlife Conservation Area – 87-acre area in Henderson County, NC, will be closed until further notice. The Commission-owned property is undergoing habitat restoration initiatives during which time heavy equipment operation is occurring on the property making it unsafe for public access.

Game Land Closings

Updated November 1, 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.

• 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 (choose  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 January 1, 2025.
• Green River Game Land-
  • The access road at Wilderness Cove Tubing is closed due to the road being washed away. Green River Cove Road in general should be avoided due to repair work and hazardous road conditions.
  • The bridge at Big Hungry River is out, this section of game land is temporarily inaccessible with no alternatives for public access. 
• Dupont State Forest Game Land – The game land is partially reopened starting November 1, 2024. More info.
• 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.
• 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. Map image of the closed section of trail.
• South Mountains Game Land - Roper Hollow Road is temporarily closed for repairs.
• Three Top Mountain Game Land - the access road at Hidden Valley Road off of Three Top Road is temporarily closed until repairs can be made to the culverts.