Sliding Rock to reopen in NC after months-long closure. What to know before you go
The Sliding Rock Recreation Area in North Carolina will reopen on April 30, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
While the area is usually open 365 days a year, it has been closed since August 2021 after a tropical storm did severe damage throughout the Pisgah National Forest.
After water levels rose, staff found bridges out, trails eroded and trees down, according to the National Forests in North Carolina site.
“(Tropical Storm) Fred was devastating for much of the Pisgah and our local community and there is still so much ongoing recovery work,” Dave Casey, Pisgah district ranger, said in a news release according to WYFF. “We’re making good progress and it’s exciting to see the iconic Sliding Rock attraction reopen this year.”
Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide ending in a 8-foot-deep pool of water. According to the Adventure Pisgah website, “nearly 11,000 gallons of water per minute power this natural wonder.”
The area is staffed with lifeguards from May 2 through Sept. 15. When the water slide is not staffed, there are no lifeguards present and the restrooms are closed, according to the national forest website.
There’s a daily $4 fee per person to access the area.
Staff advises that, as the area is heavily-visited, visitors should come early and avoid peak hours from noon to 4 p.m.
