CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AXIOS) – Multiple state parks across western North Carolina were reopening, at least partially, on Nov. 1.

State parks west of I-77 have been closed for weeks due to Hurricane Helene.

Why it matters: State parks are a major draw to western North Carolina. They provide miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore, especially during the fall as people travel to witness leaves change color.

State of play: Crowders Mountain, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain and Lake Norman state parks, plus Rendezvous Mountain will reopen on Nov. 1, the Division of Parks and Recreation announced Wednesday.

What to expect: Keep in mind, some state parks may only be partially open and others remain closed due to hazardous trees and branches, unsteady bridges and washed-out trails. Here’s what to expect at parks reopening Friday:

Crowders Mountain State Park

Trails and day-use from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. will reopen. Camping, however, remains closed through November.

• Look for the Charlotte skyline on a clear day.

Distance: 45 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 18 minutes from Raleigh

Gorges State Park

Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, North Carolina will reopen, including the visitor center, trails to Rainbow and Upper Bearwallow Falls, plus RV, trailer, tent camping and cabins.

• The backcountry area, including Frozen Creek access, Auger Hole and Canebrake trails, plus backcountry campsites, will remain closed.

Distance: 3 hours from Charlotte; 5 hours from Raleigh

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Most trails and campsites here will reopen. Profile trail, Profile Connector trail and Profile campsite, however, will remain closed

Distance: 2 hours 15 minutes from Charlotte; 3 hours 40 minutes from Raleigh

Lake Norman State Park

Day-use, tent, trailer, RV and campsites will reopen.

• Cabins are closed to new reservations, but existing reservations will be honored.
• Some mountain bike trail sections may be closed.
• Distance: 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2.5 hours from Raleigh

Rendezvous Mountain

All areas of Rendezvous Mountain (1956 Rendezvous Mountain Road, Purlear, North Carolina) will reopen.

Distance: 1 hour 50 minutes from Charlotte; 2 hours 48 minutes from Raleigh

Parks that remain closed:

Zoom in: Chimney Rock, Mount Mitchell and South Mountains are expected to be closed longer than others. Campsite reservations at state parks that are closed or expect to be closed at the time of the reservation have been refunded, per the Division of Parks and Recreation.

What’s next: Some parks may partially reopen in November, according to State Parks Director Brian Strong.

What they’re saying: “We know our visitors have been missing our closed parks, and we hope these reopenings will help our neighbors, local towns, and communities,” Strong said in a statement.

This story from Axios Charlotte was published as part of a partnership.

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BANNER ELK – A few days after he performed at an epic concert that raised nearly $25 million for Western North Carolina, country music star Eric Church quietly toured Banner Elk with Gov. Roy Cooper, viewing Tropical Storm Helene damage and relief efforts.

“It’s the most special place in the world to me, the mountains of this area,” Church said.

Church grew up in Granite Falls and now spends about half the year in his Banner Elk home. He’s been helping support WNC since Helene hit, raising money and developing plans for long-term recovery.

Most notably, Church and fellow country singer/North Carolina native Luke Combs managed to quickly bring together acts like James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban and more for the “Concert for Carolina” on Oct. 26 in Charlotte. Over 80,000 people attended the Bank of America Stadium show, a news release said, which Church himself opened with “Hallelujah.”

“I’ve never played a show closer to my heart,” he told the audience.

The millions the concert raised will benefit Helene victims through nonprofits such as Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, as well as Church’s own nonprofit, Chief Cares.

Eric Church announces ‘Blueprint for Blue Ridge’ homebuilding effort

At the concert, Church announced another effort to help Helene victims: a Chief Cares initiative called “A Blueprint for the Blue Ridge” that will build 100 homes for families in Avery County and the surrounding area. He spoke about it Oct. 31 in Banner Elk.

More: 2024 White House Christmas tree chosen from Avery County farm after Tropical Storm Helene

Chief Cares is partnering with Clayton Homes for the project, he said, and a team will be in Avery County next week to locate suitable land.

“Once we deliver the land to them, they’ll put 100 homes in Avery County in 100 days,” he said of Clayton Homes.

There’s no construction timeline yet, and Church did not yet know how families will be selected for the homes.

Other goals of “Blueprint for the Blue Ridge” include addressing “longer-term needs like creating jobs, rebuilding schools, and supporting local businesses,” the Chief Cares website says.

In another long-term effort, Church is signing over the publishing royalties from his song “Darkest Hour,” his first solo song in over three years, to “the people of North Carolina,” a news release said.

“We’ve been helping with boots on the ground efforts, but this is something that will live beyond just the immediate recovery,” he said. “This is not a quick thing to fix, so hopefully ‘Darkest Hour’ will be able to contribute to that for a long time to come. This song goes to my home, North Carolina, now and forever.”

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – A non-profit organization from Mississippi, with a good understanding of going through a storm, is making plans to travel to North Carolina this weekend to provide resources.

Members of the largest all-male carnival krewe on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Krewe of Neptune, plan to bring lots of food and good vibes for those affected by Helene.

Kenny Foreman, assistant lieutenant of Krewe of Neptune, said they have been through similar situations like the one most North Carolinians are experiencing now.

“It’s, you know, obviously, we know from going through Hurricane Katrina and many of the other storms that we’ve dealt with down here, what it’s like going through that kind of devastation,” said Foreman.

Foreman said his parents lost their home to Katrina and a few family members had to swim their way out of it. “So we kind of understand,” said Foreman. ” And we feel like we can get on their level and understand where they’re at.”

He said they are bringing lots of food and plan to feed between 1200 and 1400 people while in North Carolina and provide other resources as well. This includes: sleeping bags, diapers, clothes, propane heaters, blankets and more.

The more than 500 crewmen will be in Burnsville, North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 2 at City Hall located at 110 Town Square from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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