Grandfather Ranger District (Pisgah)

The Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest consists of national forest lands south and east of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the McDowell-Buncombe county line to US-321 between Blowing Rock and Lenoir.  The district was the first to be established under the Weeks Act in 1912 with 8,100 acres and has since grown to more than 192,000 acres.  There are hundreds of miles of trails in the district, camping, countless waterfalls, a wild and scenic river and one wilderness area.

Areas:

Curtis Creek:

The Curtis Creek area was the first tract of forest purchased under the Weeks Act.

Linville Gorge Wilderness:

Linville Gorge Wilderness protects the rugged gorge formed by the Linville River that is referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the East".

Old Fort:

The Old Fort area contains national forest lands along I-40 just east of the Continental Divide surrounding the town of Old Fort.

Wilson Creek:

Wilson Creek, flowing down from Calloway Peak, is a National Wild & Scenic River.  The forest lands surrounding the creek contain hiking trails, primitive camping and many waterfalls.

Waterfalls:

1. Bard Falls
2. Brushy Ridge Falls
3. Burnthouse Branch Falls
4. Catawba Falls
5. Catawba Lower Falls
6. Catawba Upper Falls
7. Cathedral Falls
8. Gragg Prong Falls
9. Gragg Prong Middle Falls
10. Gragg Prong Upper Falls
11. Harper Creek Falls
12. Hickory Branch Falls
13. Hickory Branch Upper Falls
14. Hunt Fish Falls
15. Hunt Fish Sidekick Falls
16. Newt Falls
17. Phillips Branch Falls
18. Raven Cliff Falls
19. Steels Creek Upper Falls
20. Ten Foot Falls
21. Thorps Creek Falls
22. Thunderhole Falls
23. Thunderhole Lower Falls
24. Toms Creek Falls
25. Upper Creek Falls
26. Walker Hollow Falls
27. Woodruff Branch Falls

External Links:

US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48954