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. Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
9. Gragg Prong Falls
10. Gragg Prong Middle Falls
11. Gragg Prong Upper Falls
12. Harper Creek Falls
13. Hickory Branch Falls
14. Hickory Branch Upper Falls
15. Hunt Fish Falls
16. Hunt Fish Sidekick Falls
17. Newt Falls
18. North Harper Creek Falls
19. Phillips Branch Falls
20. Raven Cliff Falls
21. Steels Creek Upper Falls
22. Ten Foot Falls
23. Thorps Creek Falls
24. Thunderhole Falls
25. Thunderhole Lower Falls
26. Toms Creek Falls
27. Upper Creek Falls
28. Walker Hollow Falls
29. Woodruff Branch Falls

External Links:

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