Helene shuts down four Tennessee State Parks

Four Tennessee State Parks located in Northeast Tennessee are currently closed due to storm damage from Hurricane Helene.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Roan Mountain State Park in Roan Mountain, Rocky Fork State Park in Flag Pond and David Crockett Birthplace State Park in Limestone are currently closed as park staff work to access the damage and plan for recovery.

Visitors are asked to avoid entering park property at those sites until further notice. Here are the latest updates from those and other local state parks in Tennessee.

Closed in Tennessee

David Crockett Birthplace State Park, in Limestone, is closed due to flooding and extensive damage. Those with existing reservations will be contacted. Opportunities to support the park will be announced at a later date. For the latest updates, visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/david-crockett-birthplace.

Roan Mountain State Park, in Roan Mountain, is closed due to flooding and damage Anyone with existing reservations will be contacted. A number of trails are inaccessible to the public. For the latest updates, visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/roan-mountain.

Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park, in Unicoi County, is closed until further notice. Visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/rocky-fork for the latest updates.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, in Elizabethton, remains closed due to flooding. The park will remain closed until deemed safe to access, the notice said. For the latest updates, visit https://tnstateparks.com/park/sycamore-shoals.

Other NET options

Panther Creek State Park, in Morristown, remains open. However, the roadway to the park overlook was not expected to reopen until at least Thursday, Oct. 3, as staff worked to remove downed trees and debris.

“The park’s trail system sustained heavy damage due to the high winds that passed through on Friday, Sept. 27. All park trails have sustained moderate to severe damage. Currently, the Pioneer, Ridgecrest, Old Farm, Trout Lily, Deer Run, Piney Cove and Maple Arch trails are impassable and closed to public access. The remaining park trails are open for hiking only,” according to the park alerts.

“In addition, the horse trailer parking lot is currently closed while the cleanup process is underway. We appreciate your patience as we work to clear and reopen the trails as soon as possible.”

Visit https://tnstateparks.com/parks/panther-creek for the latest updates.

Warriors Path State Park, in Kingsport, remains open. There will be a workday to repair storm damage to the park’s mountain bike trails on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers are asked to wear old clothes, including long pants and sturdy hiking footwear. Bring drinking water and a lunch if you plan to spend the day. Work gloves are recommended. Hand tools will be provided, but volunteers can bring their own clippers and pruning saws. Meet at the Mountain Bike Trail parking area at the end of Freeman Road in Blountville.

For all the latest updates and alerts, visit www.tnstateparks.com.