These closures help reduce road maintenance costs and decrease wildlife disturbance, allowing the animals to conserve energy while food is scarce. During long bouts of adverse weather, roads may also be closed to protect public safety. Emergency closures can occur at any time. Contact the district ranger office for information about current road conditions.

Pisgah National Forest

Appalachian Ranger District

• The following roads will be closed Jan. 2 through April 2: Big Ivy (FSR 74), Stony Fork (FSR 63), Cataloochee (FSR 3549), Hickey Fork (FSR 465), South Toe River (FSR 472), Neals Creek (FSR 2074), Flat Top (FSR 278), Hurricane Gap (FSR 457), Rich Mountain Fire Tower (FSR 467A), Long Arm (FSR 287), Mills Ridge (FSR 113). 

Grandfather Ranger District

• The following roads will be closed Jan. 2 to April 1: New Ginger Cake (FSR 496), Thunder Hole Road (FSR 4071), Steels Creek (FSR 228), Lost Cove (FSR 464A), Curtis Creek Campground and FSR 482.

• The following roads will be closed Jan. 2 to Sept. 1: Dobson Knob (FSR 106, western half at the second gate), Carrol Creek (FSR 4096), Pearcy Creek (FSR 4101). 

• The following recreation areas and associated roads will close Jan. 6 through April 1: Brown Mountain OHV area (FSR 299), Table Rock Picnic Area (FSR 99)

• The following roads will remain closed to motorized traffic due to storm damage: Schoolhouse Ridge (FSR 4068), Jarrett Creek (FSR 4030), Marks Mountain (FSR 451), Big Chestnut (FSR 198), Craig Creek/Mortimer-Piedmont (FSR 982).

Pisgah Ranger District

• Lickstone Road (FSR 97) will close Jan. 3 through Aug. 31. 

• Ivestor Gap Gate (FSR 816) will close Jan. 1 to Aug. 14.

Nantahala National Forest

Nantahala Ranger District 

• The following roads will be closed on Jan. 2 through March 15: Boardtree (FSR 388), Deep Gap (FSR 71), Shingletree (FSR 713), Shope Fork (FSR 751), Connelly Creek (FSR 86 through Alarka-Laurel), Winding Stairs (FSR 422), Big Creek (FSR 4567), Moses Creek (FSR 4651), Sugar Creek (FSR 4665), Wolf Mountain (FSR 4663C), Beech Flats (FSR 4668), Upper Nantahala (FSR 67), Shingletree (FSR 713), Ball Creek (FSR 83), Wayah Bald (FSR 69), Little Yellow Mountain (FSR 367), Cold Spring Gap (FSR 4663), Old Bald Road (FSR 4652), Gage Creek (FSR 4648), Charley Knob (FSR 4654).

Tusquitee Ranger District

• The following roads will be closed Jan. 2 through April 1: Bear Paw (FSR 435), Cherokee Lake (FSR 313), Deep Gap (FSR 71), Nelson Ridge (FSR 351), Perry Gap (FSR 350), Powerline Cove (FSR 6020), Tellico River (FSR 420-5), Beech Creek (FSR 307), Chambers Creek (FSR 2071), Derreberry Gap (FSR 614B), Panther Gap (FSR 85A), Persimmon Creek (FSR 651), Stateline Loop (FSR 420-6), Tuni Gap (FSR 440). 

Cheoah Ranger District

• The following roads will be closed Jan. 2 to April 1: Big Fat (FSR 62), Tatham Gap/Long Creek (FSR 423), Santeelah Creek (FSR 81), Farley Cove (FSR 407), Long Hungry (FSR 1127).