The Nature Conservancy in North Carolina

Gorges State Park

Waterfall, Jocassee Gorges (© Merrill Lynch)

Large-flowered trillium (© E. Wayne Irvin)

Location:
Mountains
Transylvania County

Size in Acres:
9,750

Involvement in Acres:
9,750

Topograpical Map:
Reid

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

Activities & Amenities:
Hiking / Birding / Wildflowers / Fishing

Ownership & Access:
Division of Parks and Recreation
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
P.O. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611-7687
(919) 733-4181

N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27604-1188
(919) 733-7291 or
(919) 733-3391

Site Information:
Geographically, the Jocassee Gorges are roughly 50,000 acres in North and South Carolina located where the escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains rises dramatically from the Piedmont to nearly 4,000 feet above sea level.

Five powerful rivers, the Whitewater, Thompson, Toxaway, Chattooga, and the Horsepasture, a national and state Wild and Scenic River, wind through the area and flow into Lake Jocassee in South Carolina. One of the wettest places in eastern North America, this wild area is shaped by the forces of water. On average, between 70 and 80 inches of rain fall here every year, although an annual amount of 100 inches is not uncommon. The escarpment has one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls in the eastern United States and contains a great variety of natural habitats, such as oak forests, cove forests, granite domes, and scattered patches of old-growth forest in the most rugged areas.

Abundant wildlife inhabits the area, including black bear, bobcat, wild turkey, North Carolina's largest known population of the rare green salamander, native trout, and several species of rare fish. Neotropical migratory songbirds, such as the uncommon Swainson's warbler, occur in large numbers in the Gorges. The escarpment harbors one of the highest concentration of rare plants in North America, with over 60 rare species identified to date. As the climate in other areas has changed, the Blue Ridge escarpment has been a long-term refuge for plants dependent on high humidity and a moderate climate. Many of the fern, moss, and liverwort species found in the Gorges are more commonly found in the wet tropics. Up to 90% of the world's populations of rare Oconee bells are found in the Gorges region; its nearest relatives are found in China and Japan.

Conservation Highlights:
Many conservation organizations and agencies, including The Nature Conservancy, the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Forest Service, Sierra Club, and the Wildlife Federation, worked to acquire and protect the Gorges. The State of North Carolina appropriated $5 million for the property and in 1999, the State purchased approximately 9,600 acres from Duke Energy. The Division of Parks and Recreation manages 6,725 acres in a state park, while the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission manages 2,916 acres as game land. In addition, the U.S. Forest Service owns about 2,000 acres in the Thompson River Gorge.

Directions:
The State of North Carolina owns approximately 9,600 acres between the Toxaway River Gorge and the Horsepasture River Gorge south of U.S. 64 and N.C. 281. Please contact the various state agencies to inquire about current access.