Due to the continued rain and snowfall in the region, Burke County is closing sections of the Fonta Flora Trail at Lake James to hiking and biking. The sections highlighted on the map are now closed for use. When the trail is closed by the County, that means it is closed for all users with no exceptions. Please obey all posted signage and stay off the trails when they are wet. For open/close status of trails at Lake James State Park, please visit the park website at
https://www.ncparks.gov/lake-james-state-park/trails
Natural surface trails must be allowed to dry out properly in order to protect them from damage. Hiking and biking on wet trails creates ruts in the trail which hold water, slowing the drying process. These ruts take substantial work to remove and return the trail back to its original state. Just because it is sunny outside does not mean the trail is ready for use. During the winter, the freeze/thaw cycle causes the trail surface to be wetter than in other seasons. Because of this, the trail takes longer to dry out and may be closed more frequently and/or for longer durations. Burke County Staff will continue to assess the trails and will reopen them when they are ready.