Hurricane Damage May Have Changed Some Parks Forever

Hurricane damage may have changed some parks forever

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Extensive damage from Hurricane Helene has potentially changed some local parks forever.

While recovery is ongoing, reality casts a bleak shadow over some parks.

Helene caused tremendous, widespread damage within the parks of the mountain district, but that damage was not uniform, according to Adin Fell, regional chief of State Parks.

Some parks were able to clear debris and reopen relatively quickly while others — most notably Jones Gap State Park, which remains closed — were harder hit and continue to deal with cleanup and repair issues.

Fell said Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which encompasses Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks, suffered more than 30 landslides and innumerable downed trees. The remote nature of much of the area, and the particular ferocity with which the storm hit, made cleanup and repair efforts particularly challenging.

“We’ve been working tirelessly to get things done,” Fell said. “This work is not so much monetary — it’s people.”

Although state parks staff have been working diligently on recovery efforts, park topography and the nature of the damage have made progress slow going.

In the case of Jones Gap, workers face arduous hikes to affected areas and have to carry all necessary equipment with them. Fell said they are then confronted with fallen trees that are often twisted together in such a way that considerable knowledge and skill are required to clear them safely.

One of the groups with the necessary skills is the Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance. Project manager Sam Davis said the sheer scale of damage at places like Jones Gap highlighted just how much skill — and time — was needed to tackle the challenge.

“There’s just a small pool of people who have the ability to take down all of these trees,” Davis said. “It’s a dangerous thing to do and it’s just going to take time.” 

While much of the work at parks like Jones Gap will continue to require highly skilled professionals, other work has progressed to the point where volunteers have a role to play, Fell said.

For people who want to volunteer to help restore a favorite trail at a specific park, Fell directs people to contact the individual park directly. He said each park manager will have the most up-to-date information about what work remains to be done and what opportunities are available for volunteers.

The best place to find information about each park is through the state park service’s website, southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder.

Much work also remains on the two main regional trails, the Foothills Trail and the Palmetto Trail.

According to the Foothills Trail Conservancy, 33 miles of the Foothills Trail between Oconee State Park and Bad Creek are open. Much work remains along the trail, and information about ways to volunteer or donate to the work can be found on the conservancy’s website, foothillstrail.org.

According to Palmetto Conservation, only some of the passages of the state-spanning Palmetto Trail have been reopened. For more information about which passages are open or for volunteer opportunities, visit palmettoconservation.org.

A hike around Paris Mountain State Park on Jan. 26, 2025.

Many of the trails within the Upstate’s state parks have reopened; however, visitors are urged to hike with caution. Here’s a quick look at the status for the most popular parks.

• Paris Mountain — The park and its 17 miles of hiking and biking trails are open.

• Jones Gap — The park and all of its trails remain closed until further notice.

• Caesars Head — Wildcat Wayside, Frank Coggins and Raven Cliff (to the overlook) trails are open. All others remain closed.

• Table Rock — All trails are open except Mill Creek Falls Spur.

• Devils Fork — Boat-in campsites and the Oconee Bell Trail remain closed.

• Keowee-Toxaway — The park and its 5.5 miles of trails are open.

• Oconee – The park is open.

• Croft State Park – The park is open but the playground and some trails remain closed.