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Transylvania County, home of Brevard, Sapphire, and some of the prettiest natural wonders in the western end of the state, can also boast that it is the home of North Carolina's newest state park, Gorges State Park.The rugged 7,000-acre park was owned for years by Duke Energy Corporation, but, after determining it no longer had a use for its steep topography and high rainfall, offered the land for sale to natural resource agencies in North and South Carolina in the late 1990s. The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation rose to the occasion and, in 1999, with the help of local citizens and the State Assembly, created the state's newest park and, incidentally, the state's only park west of Asheville. Due to the large number of rare plants, animals and delicate ecosystems that are present in this incredible stretch of land, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation is taking exceptional care in the development of a Master Plan for this park. This Master Plan will be the blueprint for development of the park for the next several decades, so careful planning is essential at this stage. State resource and management officials have scoured the parklands for concentrations of rare plant and animal species, and their search has not gone without reward. They have also taken great care in identifying significant terrain and land characteristics with the idea that this near-pristine landscape be protected while allowing visitors to enter and enjoy the area. Gorges State Park is located 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. The upper reaches of the mountain streams gradually descend, but near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line, the water plunges over waterfalls and rushes through steep-walled gorges. With such a rugged and contrasting topography, the dramatic gorges and waterfalls present thrilling outdoor opportunities to visitors, but the need to preserve the delicate ecosystems in which the rare plants and animals exist creates preservation challenges to park management. Nearly 125 rare plant and animal species that occur in the mountain counties of North Carolina and twelve endangered or threatened plant and animal species are found in the park. Many plants that are otherwise found only in the tropics are found in this misty, mountainous region. Striking that careful balance between visitor access and natural preservation will figure in greatly to the Master Plan.
But outdoor activities are abundant in this rare slice of the North Carolina mountains. Primitive campsites will soon be available within the park boundaries. The opportunity to "catch the big one" in the park's waters are plentiful, with an ample supply of speckled and brown trout, as well as smallmouth bass, in the streams and rivers. All streams and rivers in the park are designated Wild Trout Waters. Fishermen should exercise extreme caution and stay away from waterfalls; due to the rugged nature of the park and the swift water currents, no swimming is allowed in rivers and creeks. Lake Jocassee, a deep lake that straddles the North and South Carolina border, is a haven for trout and bass fishermen. Boat access to the park's waters is currently available within Devil's Fork State Park in South Carolina. Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts will be thrilled with the discoveries that await them inside these parklands. Both day-hikers and backcountry hikers will be rewarded for their efforts with powerful, dramatic views of steep, rock-faced gorges and too many waterfalls to count. It is this combination of rocky faces and constant mist that creates the environment for the tiny and beautiful rare plant species that thrive among the rocks. Mountain biking and horseback riding are currently permitted on Auger Hole Road from Frozen Creek Road to Turkey Pen Gap on the western boundary of the park. The Frozen Creek Road access in Rosman provides a picnic area and trailheads for these equestrian and hiking trails. As always, park visitors are strongly urged to use common sense and extreme caution in areas with waterfalls. These areas are slick. The constant mist creates slippery conditions and a high risk of injury for those who venture into these areas. Be careful and cautious. Gorges State Park is located in Transylvania County, NC, and joins the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. The park is approximately 25 miles west/southwest of Hendersonville, and the interim park office is located in the same building as the Sapphire Post Office on US 64, just east of NC 281 South. Park office hours are 8AM-5PM daily (closed state holidays), and may be reached by calling 828-966-9099. Park hours are 8AM-6PM, November through February, 8AM-7PM, March AND October, 8AM-8PM, April, May and September, and 8AM-9PM, June through August. The park is closed on Christmas Day. (Photo and map provided by Gorges State Park.)
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Steve Pagano, Park Superintendent, notes that all buildings that are currently placed at the park are considered "interim" buildings, and may be replaced as permanent plans for the park take shape. 