#8 - Standing Indian Mountain via Deep Gap. A seemingly endless sea of tree tops and leaf litter, Snowbird Backcountry Area occupies nearly 8,000 acres of the Nantahala National Forest. Also, if you plan to stay at the Standing Indian Shelter, then the Kimsey Creek Trail is a better choice. The backpacking area I was referring to is, I believe, actually called the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. After crossing the bridge over Panthertown Creek, look for a trail to your right. It was first built in the 1920s then it was rebuilt throughout the years until it was finally made out of stone and concrete. 227 Views Last Month 8,192 Since Nov 8, 2018 Difficult. About Nantahala National Forest. Drive-up campsites are $15 a night; backcountry campsites are $10 a night. Have you done this adventure? The USFS converted a Model-T truck for rail service and traveled Ritter Lumber Co.'s rail lines to monitor the forests in that area. With over 1,700 miles of trails, a variety of opportunities await you, from short, easy walks to long distance backpacking adventures. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." #6 - Mac's Gap to Devil's Elbow and Panthertown Valley Loop Trail. 0% 0% 14% 14% 71% 0% Add a Photo. CONTACT Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District (828) 524-6441; fs.fed.us/r8/ CONDITIONS Water sources at shelters are reliable. Within the National Forest, the Nantahala River flows through a gorge so lush that it only gets direct sunlight at mid-day. Nantahala is a Cherokee word meaning “land of the noonday sun”. Great place for stargazing + backpacking. Nantahala National Forest Camping: Campendium has 41 reviews of 18 Campgrounds in Nantahala National Forest. Cross the road at Wayah Gap and prepare for the climb up to Wayah Bald. After 4.5 miles you'll reach the first of the balds: Siler Bald. Two campsites have electric hookups for RVs and one is wheelchair accessible. With over 600 miles of trails, opportunities exist for hikers, mountain bikers, horse … Nantahala National Forest, Nantahala Ranger District, 90 Sloan Road, Franklin, NC 28734, (828)-524-6441 General Information Directions: From Highlands drive south on main street and Horse Cove Road 4.5 miles to the end of the pavement. Hike North Carolina’s Nantahala National forest to stunning waterfalls and towering mountain summits near Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin & Sylva, NC. Deep gorges and broad valleys, mountain bogs and granite rock domes, tranquil creeks and plunging waterfalls are all reminiscent of the iconic Yosemite. The Kimsey Creek Trail seems to follow the creek closely, which is always nice. The advantage of the Lower Ridge Trail is the shorter distance and faster exit, but it is a pretty trail even if it is steeper because it descends 2000 ft in 3.75 mi instead of about 5.5 mi. The 531,148 acres cover an altitude of 2,843 feet (6,943 meters) and … Gain: Parking: 2-3 days of backpacking 6,140 ft Overnight parking is available at the Jenkins Meadow Trailhead beside the intersection of Santeetlah Rd and Joyce Kilmer Rd. Cashiers and Highlands, NC Rainbow Falls at Gorges … The Nantahala National Forest (/ˌnæntəˈheɪlə/), established in 1920, is a national forest located in the American state of North Carolina. Work varies, but may involve leveling and widening trails, creating water bars, removing deadfall, building steps, or trimming vegetation. HIGHLIGHTS: Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Creek Wilderness was designated with the passage of the 1975 Wilderness Act and expanded in size in 1984 with the North Carolina Wilderness Act. Of the many trails in this area, this route provides the most bang for your buck. Both trails are consistently very steep. There are also 20 backpacking sites, each big enough for two tents; a pit toilet is nearby. Nantahala National Forest An Insider’s Guide to Panthertown Valley: The Yosemite of the East Although big cats no longer prowl the 6,295-acre swath of the Nantahala National Forest dubbed Panthertown Valley, it’s still easy to imagine the namesake predators roaming the sylvan trails. Drive … Its lands in SC became part of Sumter NF. Several prominent peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation—Albert Mountain, Big Butt, Little Bald, and Standing Indian Mountain—cap the rim of the drainage. There are also a number of lakes for waterskiing, two other wilderness areas for exploring, and the Nantahala … Location: Sapphire, N.C., about 26 miles from Brevard After crossing the street from the parking area, you leave the highway and civilization behind. Deep forest hiking with waterfalls, vistas, abundant streams and ease of access. Keep Reading. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Nantahala National Forest. Follow the old roadbed from the trailhead to Salt Rock Gap (a small opening on your left) for good views of Little and Big Green Mtns. While all trails are open to hiking, some trails are also designed for horses, mountain bikes, and off-road vehicles. There is a parking lot at the Gap if you need to leave a car. Parking is available at the Backcountry Information Center (a kiosk with maps and safety info) which is located a few hundred yards past the Standing Indian Campground (bathrooms and even a shower available in the campground just a short walk from the parking lot) on Forest  Service Rd 67. Many trails lace the various mountain ranges within Nantahala National Forest's boundaries. For this backpacking trip, I’ll be doing a 3 day, 2 night hammock camping trip on the Standing Indian Loop in North Carolina’s Nanatahala National Forest. This is the perfect loop trail: it includes 15 mi of the AT, has 2 summits with spectacular views, does not involve any difficult climbs, has frequent established campsites to customize the distances per day, and has many water sources. Explore camper reviews and photos of the campgrounds in Nantahala National Forest. The Hangover – Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest, NC Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 18.7 mls N/A Hiking Time: Elev. We've discovered that it is a great place to basecamp, relax, and do dayhikes. Nantahala National Forest . 19 Recommended Routes. The start of this section is Jones Gap, which cannot be accessed by vehicle. The Lower Ridge Trail is very beautiful too, but doesn’t beat a creek to follow. Fireworks and Firearms: Rules stipulate that both can only be used in accordance with the U.S.F.S. That … Nantahala National Forest Hiking. #2 - Wesser Bald Fire Tower via Appalachian Trail. Stay straight and ascend the trail back to the parking lot. This loop travels around the southern portion of the Nanatahala National Forest, tracing the basin from which the same-named river originates. Detailed descriptions of campgrounds in the Nantahala National Forest. Information boards in the tower point out the names of surrounding peaks and features of the landscape. With trail access at Burningtown Gap, Tellico Gap, and Wayah Gap, turning a trip to any of the balds into an overnighter or a day hike would be very easy. That first hike inspired us to return for a full weekend backpacking trip in May. The word "Nantahala" is a Cherokee word meaning "Land of the Noonday Sun." In 1926, Nantahala National Forest included lands in NC,SC & GA. This is a great spot to take a break and have a snack. The NOC is a whitewater rafting outfitter and has restaurants, lodging, and an outfitter's store. Whitewater Falls, one of Nantahala National Forest's most recognizable places, and a short hike accessible to all. Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness covers 17,410 acres of wild territory along the state border. The Nantahala National Forest anchors the far southwestern corner of North Carolina with over 528,000 acres of protected forest and high mountain wilderness. The trail passes a scenic cascading waterfall and begins climbing. Fungirl and I first visited the area on a dayhike with Joel and Paula. Best backpacking trails in Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina 2,166 Reviews Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Nantahala National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Find hikes, backpacking, photo spots, and more around Franklin. The name is appropriate as, in some spots, the sun only reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the forest when high overhead at midday. While all trails are open to hiking… of Trail. The campground can be a pleasant stopover on your trip or a place to spend several days to explore this scenic and historic section of the Nantahala National Forest. Explore the most popular backpacking trails in Nantahala National Forest with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. All this within a scenic, 20-minute drive to … At 4,000 feet, temperatures are … Jun 8, 2015 - DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of 441 and 64 W in Franklin, NC, drive west on 64/Murphy Road for 11.8 miles. Nantahala is the largest of 4 national forests in North Carolina covering over 530,000 acres. While it is well known for it's hiking and mountain biking, it also has great trout fishing in the Nantahala River. Going this direction, only about 300 ft of the climb up Mt Albert is steep, all other grades are easily manageable. Offering 360 degree views, it will likely be the highlight of your trip. Filling up at the ‘008Road’ point on the Long Branch Creek is recommended. 1,595 Kilometers. U.S. National Forest Campground Guide Nantahala National Forest Campgrounds In the opposite direction, the climb up Mt Albert is extremely steep and gains about 400 ft at that rate. © 2021 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Nantahala’s northwest side is no secret—“You can’t swing a dead cat in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest without hitting a family there,” … in Nantahala National Forest #21 in North Carolina #641 Overall. It's located directly off the trail and has a spring in front of it. About 77 miles in length, the Foothills Trail is located along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Upstate South Carolina and W Wherever you stay make sure you go to the other lookout points, which are fairly easy to find by looking for outcroppings of rock. The Nantahala National Forest proper offers 526,798 acres with 700 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. This national forest is home of the first tract of land … This route is a section of the much longer Bartram Trail. Pinnacle Park. Seasonal closures in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests have begun, with affected roads closed to motorized vehicles through April. This section towards Wayah Gap is mainly downhill so it should go quickly. Our favorite part of the Nantahala National Forest is probably Panthertown Valley. Start this loop on the Long Branch Trail (the sign is visible from the parking area). The one mile hike is short but moderate - stick with it and you'll be greeted with stunning 360-degree views of Nantahala National Forest. Similar to backpacking, you’ll have to be self-contained (there are rarely toilets, sinks, or running water when dispersed camping) and you almost definitely won’t have nearby neighbors. 1 Gem. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your Panthertown Valley, Nantahala National Forest. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a turnaround. There are many trails through the area and several options exist for loop trails. The Wayah Bald Lookout Tower is located in Nantahala National Forest in one of the oldest part of the protected land. I had the trail all to myself hiking to Moore Cove, in the Pisgah National Forest of western North Carolina; and save for the songs of some birds and the soft conversation of water flowing over rocks, the silence exerted an immediate calming effect—like I had taken a happy pill. The name is appropriate as, in some spots, the sun only reaches the floors of the deep gorges of the forest … #10 - Appalachian Trail: Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap, Wesser Bald Fire Tower via Appalachian Trail, Winding Stair Gap to Siler Bald via Appalachian Trail, Bartram Trail: Jones Gap to Whiterock Mountain, Mac's Gap to Devil's Elbow and Panthertown Valley Loop Trail, Standing Indian, Mount Albert, Nantahala Basin Loop, Appalachian Trail: Wayah Bald to Tellico Gap. A six-inch-deep ford (6) across concrete at the base of a 250-foot rockfill dam signals the start of a 400-foot climb past a spillway-fueled waterfall. The Nantahala Headwaters Loop, AKA the Standing Indian Loop, is a 25 mile trail in the Appalachian Mountains, more specifically the Nantahala National Forest. 991 Miles. But it also protects more popular places from overcrowding and damage (assuming you practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your site as you found it). It's right outside the hiker friendly town of Franklin, NC, so the town is your last chance for a hot meal and any last minute supplies. Granite rock outcrops, beautiful falls, also known as the Yosemite of the East. It's right outside the hiker friendly town of Franklin, NC, so the town is your … The round-trip distance is perfect for a … Dispersed camping in national forests is a great way to save money on your outdoor adventures. Southern Nantahala Wilderness crosses through Southern Appalachia's Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia and the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. Follow the trail back to the old roadbed and stay left until you return to the 4-way junction described above. Three picturesque reservoirs are nestled among the mountains in the Nantahala National Forest, offering boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, and camping. You 'll reach the first of the protected Land 4-way junction described above spectacular backpacking trip the... 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