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Mount Mitchell State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules

Places › Mount Mitchell State Park

Mount Mitchell State Park is a North Carolina state park in Burnsville, Yancey County, in our High Country region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.

  • AdmissionFree day use
  • HoursCloses 6 to 10 p.m.Opens 7 a.m., by month
  • ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
  • DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below

About Mount Mitchell State Park

At 6,684 feet, this is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and it is where the state park system began. An observation deck gives clear-day views, easy summit trails cross a Fraser fir forest, and tougher trails reach into nearby wilderness.

Plan It in Three Lines

  1. Getting In

    Day-use admission is free.

    Closes 6 to 10 p.m.

  2. Bring the Dog?

    Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.

    Full rules below

  3. Make It a Trip

    Lake James State Park is about 21 miles away (straight line).

    2 units within 30 miles

Mount Mitchell State Park Hours

The gate closes between 6 p.m. (Nov to Feb) and 10 p.m. (May to Aug). It opens 7 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:

Closing Time by Month Park Hours, p.m.

Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.

Park Hours
MonthHours
January7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
June7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
July7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
August7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
September7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Park Office: From November to March, open Mondays to Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April to October, open daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Gift Shop: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Summit Concession Stand and Restaurant: Concession Stand: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 7 days a week Restaurant:
  • The park is closed on Christmas Day.
  • The park is open during all other holidays.

Admission and Fees

There are no fees required to access Mount Mitchell State Park for day use. Fees are charged for camping, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.

Dogs and Strollers

  • Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
  • Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (828-867-4000) before you go.

Directions and Contact

State Parks Near Mount Mitchell State Park

Around Mount Mitchell State Park within 60 miles
20 mi40 mi60 miNSEW123456
  1. 1Lake James State ParkState Parkabout 21 mi
  2. 2Chimney Rock State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
  3. 3Grandfather Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 39 mi
  4. 4South Mountains State ParkState Parkabout 39 mi
  5. 5Elk Knob State ParkState Parkabout 52 mi
  6. 6Gorges State ParkState Parkabout 59 mi

Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Mount Mitchell State Park?

Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.

Are dogs allowed at Mount Mitchell State Park?

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

What time does Mount Mitchell State Park close?

It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.

Is Mount Mitchell State Park open on Christmas?

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

Are strollers allowed at Mount Mitchell State Park?

Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
  • Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.

Sources

  1. Mount Mitchell State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
  2. NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
  3. OpenStreetMap (map point check)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Mount Mitchell State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/mount-mitchell-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.