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Gorges State ParkNorth Carolina's newest state park may as well be called "Gorgeous" State Park due to its unique collection of waterfalls, rugged river gorges, sheer rock cliffs and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and unique species in the eastern United States. It's located on the Blue Ride Escarpment - in an area where elevations rises 2,000 feet in only four miles. Here, moisture is squeezed out of Southerly flowing air to create rainfall in excess of 80 inches per year. This qualifies the unique environment as a temperate rain forest.
Amenities:
Right now, interim facilities at the Park include a gravel parking lot, picnic area, portable toilets, and information boards for the Park's trails at the Grassy Ridge and Frozen Creek Access Areas off of NC 281 on the West side of the Park. Three other trails are available at the Frozen Creek Access on the East side of the Park. At this time, park officials and planners are working with the public to prepare a master plan which will outline long-range goals including the building of a permanent headquarters, campground, visitor center, and trail access area. Only minimal development will occur while this plan is being developed. Also, the rules and regulations currently in place may change as these plans take shape.
Park hours
November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
April, May, September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
History:
Quoted from the State Park's official guide:
"On April 29, 1999, thanks to a unique partnership of industry, the environmental community and the state of North Carolina, 10,000 acres of the Jocassee Gorges in Transylvania County were placed in public ownership to be preserved for future generations of North Carolinians. The property was purchased by the state from Duke Energy Corporation, and the transaction created a 2,900-acre gameland managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and a 7,100-acre state park - North Carolina's newest state park and our first state park west of Asheville."
There is no developed camping within the park as of yet. However, backcountry campsites are available after a 5 mile hike at Ray Fisher Place. Each has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post as well as a pit toilet. Campers must sign in using the registration forms available at the Grassy Ridge parking lot.
There are also a few primitive campsites available near the Southern border of the park (at Lake Jocassee) along the Foothills trail.
Lodging is available in the nearby towns of Brevard, Lake Toxaway, Sapphire Valley, Cashiers, and Highlands.
