Join a Park Ranger for a short hike along the Bearwallow Valley Trail to read our winter StoryWalk book. Storybook is intended for younger audiences but all are welcome. Please be prepared for a .5 mile round trip hike with proper footwear and water. We will be meeting at the Bearwallow Valley Trailhead near the Visitor Center parking lot at 9:00AM.
Topics Related to Gorges State Park
Join Ranger Hill for a short 0.4-mile round trip to one of Gorges State Park’s waterfalls. We will learn how waterfalls are formed and the three different types of waterfalls. Please bring proper footwear and water. Meet at the Bearwallow Picnic Shelter.
Join us at Gorges State Park for a guided hike that will discuss winter tree identification at the park.
Carrie Blair uses slides, books and samples of leaves & twigs to illustrate how you can determine the genus, and often the species as well, of all of our locally growing native trees, with some ornamental and introduced trees. After watching her power point program, a walk outside will guide participants to identify common trees up close. Carrie will share a long list of tree field guides (beginner to advanced) that she recommends. You are welcome to bring your own tree identification books and a long twig (at least foot long) recently cut from a living tree showing buds and leaf scars to identify. The workshop is free and open to the public but classroom space is limited so please register to attend at this link: https://northcarolinanativeplantsociety.wildapricot.org/event-5995874
State Parks Director Brian Strong provides additional information on post-Helene rescue and recovery efforts and the status of western state parks.
The campground at Gorges State Park will be closed through at least November 16 due to black bear activity in the area.
The state park is in the migratory path of the butterfly's annual migration to Mexico.
The campground at Gorges State Park will have five camper cabins, 14 campsites, and 16 tent campsites, along with a modern bathhouse.
Gorges State Park will host its first annual Mountain Monarch Festival on September 24, 2022.
Kevin Bischof is the new superintendent of Gorges State Park in Transylvania County, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.