Forest Service Closes Shining Rock to Camping

posted in: WNC Hiking, WNC Waterfalls | 2

The National Forests in NC just announced a camping ban, until further notice, in the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas, due to bear activity (trying to get food inside campers’ tents). The news release is below:

Date(s): Oct 17, 2012
Pisgah Forest, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service is closing the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas to overnight camping because of ongoing bear encounters with humans.

The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.

On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the ent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks

Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.

2 Responses

    • jordan

      Open and wet! There has been bear activity since then so take the normal precautions, but there are no special restrictions that I’m aware of.

Leave a Reply