Conserving Carolina has temporarily closed four trails in the Hickory Nut Gorge, due to overcrowding. The extremely high levels of visitors pose an increased risk of transmission of the coranavirus, at a time when public health must be our first priority. In addition, overcrowding damages the trails and surrounding natural areas, which are treasures to be safeguarded for people to enjoy long after the current public health crisis has passed. 

The trail areas that are now closed include: Bearwallow Mountain Trail, Trombatore Trail, the Florence Nature Preserve trail system, and Wildcat Rock Trail. These trails and their parking areas will remain closed until further notice.

Trails Director Peter Barr says, “It is with the greatest reluctance that we have decided to close our trails in the Hickory Nut Gorge, in order to protect public health and the trails themselves. We appreciate that people are turning to nature in order to