Gorges State Park
The last two years of pandemic precautions have been hard on everyone, and many of us have found that one of the best ways to stay safe and let off some steam has been to get outside. And boy, have people been getting outside at Gorges State Park.
In fact, an estimated 184,225 people visited the park in 2020—a number nearly eclipsing (yes, we know, pardon the pun) the record numbers seen in 2017, when a total solar eclipse was fully visible from our region and drew folks from all over the world to the park.
In fact, according to Gorges Park Ranger Alysa Coburn, the area became so crowded on warm, sunny summer and fall weekends, staff would have to close the parking lot gates until spaces opened up.
Rainbow Falls is the most popular destination in Gorges State Park. Photo by Susan Koppen.
FAST FACTS
Gorges State Park is located along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, rising over 2,000 feet in just 4 miles, resulting in average yearly rainfall of 80+ inches, and is identified as a temperate rain forest environment.
In 1916, the dam containing Lake Toxaway broke, scouring the gorges region below and leaving 15-20 foot high piles of debris which can still be seen in the park today.
After the flood, locals sold large tracts of land to the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which harvested timber to build then-ubiquitous sewing machine cabinets.
In the 1940s-’50s, Duke Energy Corporation purchased the land to develop hydroelectric power.
In 1982, almost 275 acres of these lands were placed on the NC Registry of Natural Heritage because of numerous rare species residing there, including Carolina star-moss (which thrives in spray cliffs along waterfalls) and Oconee bells.
In a recent Transylvania Times feature, Michelle Wells of the NC Recreation and Park Association explained how the pandemic created a unique opportunity to show how important parks are to public welfare:
Gorges becomes more important than ever to the Historic Toxaway area with the grand opening of a new campground, nestled in the northwestern section of the park, coming soon (a public dedication event will be announced).
An aerial view of the Gorges State Park campground looking southeast toward Lake Jocassee, taken earlier this year.
Bear Wallow Falls Trail. Photo by Ben Stephens.
The 14-acre site will offer an array of great amenities, including 14 Class A RV sites with full hookups, concrete driveways, and picnic tables; 16 tent sites with gravel pads and picnic tables; and five cabins similar to the drawing above, some handicap accessible, that will sleep up to six people and have electricity, heating, and cooling. A large bathhouse facility with showers will be accessible to all.
According to Bob Holliday, spokesperson for the Friends of Gorges, it isn’t just the amenities that are so attractive; it’s that visitors can now stay longer and (hopefully) visit more of the park than in the past.
Bear Wallow Falls from the GSP trail’s observation deck. Photo by Glenn Crowley.
“The park is huge— 7,709 acres of protected land — but visitors usually see just a small percentage of what Gorges has to offer,” said Holliday.
The most popular trail, to Rainbow and Turtleback Falls, is visited by 80-90% of park guests; however, Gorges also offers eight other trails to explore (see details here).
In addition, nearly 7 miles of the Foothills Trail (a 76-mile National Recreation Trail across both Carolinas) traverses the lower park.
We’re so lucky to have this exceptional natural resource right in our own backyard.
Get out there and explore it all!
