Trail Updates

NC/TN – Five Year Burn Ban – Roan Mountain, Updated 9/11/25

09/11/2025

Update: The U.S. Forest Service has renewed the burn ban order and extended it until October 1, 2030. Hikers must not have campfires along the A.T. between Hughes Gap and Doll Flats (NOBO mile 374.1 to 392.6). The ban also includes the Roan Mountain Day Use Area (Roan High Bluff parking and rhododendron gardens).

This area is home to rare and critically imperiled southern spruce-fir forest. A host of rare, threatened, and endangered species depend on this forest. Storm debris and downed trees left by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024 create the perfect fuel for wildfires to spread quickly, putting this unique ecosystem at risk. Help protect this special place by following the burn ban.

For more information about the ban, visit the National Forests of North Carolina website.

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03/19/2025

The U.S. Forest Service has issued a burn ban for the Roan Highlands between Hughes Gap and Doll Flats (NOBO mile 374.1 to 392.6). Creating and maintaining campfires is prohibited. Hikers should use extreme caution with camp stoves and when smoking. Pack out all trash.

This area is home to rare and critically imperiled southern spruce-fir forest. A host of rare, threatened, and endangered species depend on this forest. Storm debris and downed trees left by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024 create the perfect fuel for wildfires to spread quickly, putting this unique ecosystem at risk. Help protect this special place by following the burn ban.

The ATC strongly urges all A.T. hikers to not have campfires anywhere between Davenport Gap and the New River at Pearisburg, VA (NOBO miles 239.4 to 637.8) due to all the downed trees from Helene.  

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