Mount Jefferson State Natural Area

Overview

Located in the far northwest corner of North Carolina, unique Mount Jefferson rises more than 1600' above a broad, high plateau to its northeast to reach nearly 4700' in elevation. Traveling north to south, it marks the beginning of a cluster of high mountains along and east of the Blue Ridge stretching to the southwest, including Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Roan Mountain, Grandfather Mountain, Big Bald, and Mount Mitchell. North of Mount Jefferson the higher mountains shift west to the state lines and include Mount Rogers in Virginia, which is the last peak above 5000' in the Southern Appalachians if you continue north.

The park is designated as a National Natural Landmark due to its outstanding ecological diversity. Rare plant communities grow here, such as a stand of Aspen trees just below the virgin Northern Red Oak forest on the summit.

Hiking Trails

The best way to explore the park's natural diversity and views is, of course, on foot. Mount Jefferson offers the Summit Trail which is 0.3 miles in length and moderately difficult - it's steep but fairly smooth. It ends at a tower and the actual high point of the mountain. There is a loop trail called the Rhododendron Trail leading off the summit trail. It goes along the summit ridge, out to Luther Rock, and comes back just down slope from the ridge. The walk totals 1.1 miles in length and it's listed as "strenuous" in park literature, but I'd call it moderate with only moderately rough trail tread conditions. Magnificent views abound from this loop, which passes through a neat virgin Red Oak forest. The Lost Province Trail is a 0.75 mile loop off the end of the Rhododendron loop, near Luther Rock. It is currently closed for unspecified reasons.

For more details on a hike using the Summit and Rhododendron trails, see the Summit/Rhododendron Trail Best Hike page.

Amenities

You'll find the park office, a picnic area, restrooms, and a couple of spectacular overlooks on the way up the road to the top. But that's about it. Although this is one of the smaller recreation areas in the mountains, it is well worth the visit.

Park hours
November - February, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
March and October, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
April, May, September, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
June - August, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day