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Where Five Streams Converge
Written By: Mary Jane McCall | Issue: 2021/05 – May | Photograph By: Charles Johnson
Gorges State Park is a pristine corner of Blue Ridge splendor.
Hooker Falls
Gorges State Park, located in Sapphire along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (an area where five streams carry water to the ocean from the divide between the Tennessee Valley drainage and the Atlantic drainage), opened in 2009 in one of our state’s most breathtaking settings.
It offers an outdoor experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, from those seeking an authentic backcountry experience to a casual daytripper.
Set among primitive forests and rugged river gorges, this nearly 8,000-acre park features 26 waterfalls, the northern boundary of Lake Jocassee, 56 miles of hiking trails, including a portion of the Foothills trail, 17 miles of biking trails and 12 miles of horseback trails. It’s the home to 125 plant and animal species, several of which are considered threatened or endangered.
Magnificent plunging waterfalls are its biggest attraction, most notably Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls on the Horsepasture River, and accessible by the park’s-most traveled trail. This moderate three-mile round trip hike is enjoyed by thousands of visitors a year. Shorter trails with panoramic views are also within the park’s boundaries, as are longer and more strenuous trails.
The main entrance to the park is at 976 Grassy Ridge Road where a state-of-the-art wheelchair accessible Visitors Center is packed with information and exhibits explaining the area’s history and ecological uniqueness. They also offer trail guides and information on all the park has to offer, and picnic tables for all to enjoy.
The park is admission-free and there’s ample parking. In addition to the miles of hiking trails, the park has picnic shelters, primitive campsites (reservations required) and trout fishing.
It is important to note that this area is trash free so you carry out what you bring in. Recycling containers are provided throughout the area.
As a newer park, trails and campsites are continuing to be developed so visitors should always be on the lookout for new opportunities to enjoy our area’s backcountry. For more information, visit ncparks.gov/gorges-state-park/home.
by Mary Jane McCall
photo by Charles Johnson
