South Mountains State Park is once again open to fishermen, hikers, and campers.

South Mountains State Park will reopen — at least partially – on Thursday, April 10. Here are the details on what is open and what will remain closed. 

With more than 5,000 trees down, damaged footbridges, and landslides affecting trails, the park's recovery is a slow and ongoing process.

In the summer of 1998, Lance Huss began work as a seasonal maintenance worker at South Mountains State Park while studying Environmental Studies at Montreat College. Now, as the superintendent of the park, overseeing its vast 21,000 acres, he faces the challenge of reopening the park after Hurricane Helene's devastation.