From ‘Dirty Dancing’ to ‘Hunger Games,’ movie sites in Western NC impacted by Helene

Weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through the state as a tropical storm, several landmarks and attractions in Western North Carolina have been temporarily shut down, including some that were in the spotlight of blockbuster movies.

For decades, the Tar Heel state has been the backdrop for many action, comedy and drama television shows and movies. Of the many popular movies captured around North Carolina, here’s which film sites around the mountain areas were impacted by the storm:

Biltmore Estate

Featured in: “The Swan” (1956), “Being There” (1979), “Last of the Mohicans” (1992), “Forrest Gump” (1994), “Richie Rich” (1994), “Hannibal” (2001), “A Biltmore Christmas” (2023)

Biltmore Estate, which stood as the home of the billionaire mogul in the 1979 Oscar-winning movie “Being There” and the world’s richest comic book family in “Richie Rich,” as well as as the primary set for one of Hallmark’s newest holiday movies, is temporarily closed after Helene. The entrance to the home and other low-lying areas of the property did have some flooding, but Biltmore House, conservatory, winery, gardens, and hotels had little to no damage. The estate announced recently that it is reopening on Nov. 2.

Chimney Rock State Park

Featured in: “Last of the Mohicans” (1992)

Chimney Rock State Park is one of the 13 state parks in western North Carolina temporarily closed while officials work on post-storm recovery. All state parks west of Interstate 77 remains closed until at least Oct. 31. Chimney Rock Stater Park in Rutherford county outside of south Asheville was featured in the ending of “Last of the Mohicans” during the waterfall, fight and bathing scenes, according to the Rutherford County tourism site.

Dupont State Recreational Forest

Featured in: “The Hunger Games” (2012)

Dupont State Recreational Forest, which where Katniss’ pond and the place where Peeta camouflaged himself in the movie based on the bestselling “Hunger Games” book series, has been closed since Sept. 30. According to the DSRF website, the park will be closed “for an extended period while public safety and emergency response are prioritized.”

Grandfather Mountain

Featured in: “Forrest Gump” (1994)

Grandfather Mountain is one of many spots featured in Forrest Gump’s 3+ year run across America in the iconic 1994 film — with a marker for what’s now known as “Forrest Gump Curve” between the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The private park at Grandfather Mountain reopened on Wednesday, Oct. 23. But the state park there remains closed.

Lake James

Featured in: “The Hunt for Red October” (1990)

Lake James, which was portrayed as Penobscot River in Maine in the film based on the thriller novel, is closed at this time. So is Lake James State Park, along with the other parks impacted by Helene. .

Lake Lure

Featured in: “Dirty Dancing” (1987)

Lake Lure, located in Rutherford County, was the backdrop for the famous lift scene in the classic 80s film, “Dirty Dancing.” According to the town of Lake Lure website, a curfew is in place at the lake from 7:30 p.m.- 7:30 a.m. and officials and crews have been working to remove debris from the lake.

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

Featured in: “The Green Mile” (1999)

If you’ve seen the 1999 drama starring Tom Hanks you might recognize Moses H. Cone Memorial Park as Paul Edgecomb’s nursing home. As of Oct. 11, The Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed between mileposts 198.4 and 469, including Flat Top Manor at Milepost 294.

South Mountain State Park

Featured in: “Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain” (2023)

“Saturday Night Live” comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy filmed the comedy film in various spots across North Carolina to depict the fictitious “Foggy Mountain,” including South Mountains State Park, Crowders Mountain State Park and Mount Mitchell State Park. All three state parks are among the parks with closures in effect until at least Oct. 31 due to Helene.

This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 11:07 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription