North Carolina's Newest State Park Opening In 2027 Will Offer 1,500 Acres Of Hiking And Outdoor Fun

The western part of North Carolina is a natural playground for people who love the outdoors. The picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and their subrange, the Great Smoky Mountains, both stretch through the western part of the state. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is one of the best national parks in the country that had the most visitors in 2025, is shared by Tennessee and North Carolina. The city of Asheville offers the perfect blend of mountain town charm and big city attractions. Two national forests, Pisgah and Nantahala, offer opportunities to find solitude in the wilderness. If you love chasing waterfalls, there are over 300 to choose from in the region. As if there aren't enough reasons to visit, soon western North Carolina will be home to the brand new Pisgah View State Park.

It is expected to open to the public sometime in 2027, but at the time of writing in October 2026, an exact opening date hasn't been announced. The new state park was originally projected to be finished in 2025, but damage from Hurricane Helene and planning changes pushed back those initial estimates. Designers are currently working on finalizing the plans for creating trailheads and parking areas. When Pisgah View State Park is fully open to the public, it will offer travelers more than 1,500 acres to explore. So if you're planning a trip to Western North Carolina in 2027, you may have the opportunity to be one of the first tourists to experience this exciting new outdoor destination.

Pisgah View State Park is located about 20 miles from the vibrant city of Asheville, NC. Asheville is a popular tourist destination and a maker's mecca with an incredible music and arts scene. The city is home to famous hotels that are perfect for a romantic weekend getaway and the historic Biltmore Estate, which is one of the most beautiful castles to visit in the U.S. If you're booking a trip to Asheville, the new Pisgah View State Park offers a perfect escape into nature. Getting there will take under a half hour from the city, so it's an ideal spot for a day trip or half-day adventure.

Pisgah View State Park sits near the base of Mount Pisgah, which towers 5,721 feet above sea level and is covered in lush forests. The Mount Pisgah area is rich in plant and animal life, and Pisgah View State Park will be a fantastic place to spot local wildlife. Within the park, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of wildflowers in the warmer months. Spring fed waterfalls and meandering streams are abundant throughout the forested land.

A portion of the property within Pisgah View State Park was formerly owned by the Cogburn Family, and it remained under their ownership for more than 200 years. The Cogburns operated Pisgah View Ranch, which was a popular place for locals and visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery. There were horseback riding trails, fishing opportunities, hiking trails, a swimming pool, cozy cabin rentals, and so much more. The state of North Carolina officially purchased the land from the Cogburn family in 2021.

The plan for Pisgah View State Park is to offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy activities like hiking and trail riding throughout the 1,570-acre property. The park offers gorgeous panoramic views of Mount Pisgah and Pisgah National Forest, which is located nearby.

According to the master plan, the park will have trails, day-use areas, and opportunities to camp overnight. The land on which Pisgah View State Park is located is the ancestral home of five federally recognized Indigenous tribes. The Catawba Indian Nation, the Cherokee Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians all have deep ancestral connections to the land. The park plans to teach visitors about their history,  land ethics, and sovereignty.

Although there are still multiple phases that need to be completed before the park will open to the public in its entirety, it's a good time to begin planning a future visit. Asheville Regional Airport is the nearest option if you're planning on flying to Western North Carolina. It's about a half hour from the park. Car rentals in Asheville generally cost around $50 per day.