Shope Creek (Pisgah)

The Shope Creek watershed area is a 1700-acre tract of forest land in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest in Buncome County.  It is the only tract of land in the district that is south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Public access to the area was very limited until 2007 when the Forest Service approved a logging project and the construction of a public parking area.  Although there are no official trails in the area, a number of old logging roads allow exploration of the creeks, rocks and cascades in this area.  It is a day-use area - no camping or overnight parking.

Directions:

From Asheville, head east on I-40 for about 5 miles to exit 55.  Turn left on Porters Cove Road and then right on US-70 and go 1.7 miles.  Turn left on Warren Wilson Road and drive 1.4 miles and turn left on Riceville Road.  Go another 2.3 miles and turn right on Bull Creek Road and then immediate right on Shope Creek Road.  Follow for 2.3 miles and turn left into the parking area.  There is an auto ford near the end and the road changes to gravel FR-220 after this.  There is no parking along the road.

Map:

Points of Interest:

Forrest Falls:

Forrest Falls is a small waterfall on Shope Creek.

Wolfden Falls:

Wolfden Falls is seasonal waterfall on a small tributary of Shope Creek.

Blog Entries:

04-Jan-2022: Shope Creek