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Grandfather Ranger District
The lands that make up the Grandfather Ranger District are those public lands that run from the McDowell/Buncombe county line on Black Mountain just east of Asheville over to US 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock. The Blue Ridge Parkway forms the northern boundary of the district. The Grandfather Ranger District began under the Weeks Act with the purchase of an 8,100acre tract in 1912. Now, the district covers over 192,000 acres.Enjoy your visit!
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Hours vary during current COVID-19 Restrictions. Please call the office for availability 828-352-2144 |
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Activities
Mountain Biking
Recreation areas with activity Mountain Biking:- Boone Fork Campground
- Curtis Creek Area
- FSR 482
- Jarrett Creek Road
- Mortimer Campground
- FSR 45 Watauga Turnpike
- FSR 981 Roseboro Edgemont
- Old Fort Picnic Area
- Kitsuma/Youngs Ridge Trail 204
- Point Lookout Trail
- Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area
- Greentown Trail 268
- Holly Springs Trail 273
- Wilson Ridge Trail 269
- Woodruff Ridge Trail 256
Road Cycling
Recreation areas with activity Road Cycling:Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:Dispersed Camping
Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:Rock Climbing
Recreation areas with activity Rock Climbing:River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:- Curtis Creek Area
- Curtis Creek Campground
- Linville Gorge Wilderness area
- Old Fort Picnic Area
- Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area
- Harper Creek Trail 260
- Hunt Fish Falls Trail 263
- Lost Cove Trail 262
- North Harper Creek Trail 266
- North Harper Creek Falls Trail 239
- Philips Branch Trail 252
- Timber Ridge Trail 261
- Wison Creek Trail 258
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Curtis Creek Area
- Curtis Creek Campground
- Hickory Branch Trail 213
- Snooks Nose Trail 211
- Linville Gorge Wilderness area
- Babel Tower Trail 240
- Bynum Bluff Trail 241
- Cabin Trail 246
- Conley Cove Trail 229
- Devils Hole Trail 244
- Hawksbill Trail 245
- Linville Gorge Trail 231
- Pinch -In Trail 228
- Rock Jock Trail 247
- Spence Ridge 233
- Mortimer Campground
- Thorps Creek Trail 279
- Old Fort Picnic Area
- Kitsuma/Youngs Ridge Trail 204
- Point Lookout Trail
- Table Rock
- Shortoff Mountain Trail 235
- Table Rock Trail 242
- Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area
- Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271
- Bill Crump Trail 257
- Darkside Cliffs Trail 272
- Greentown Shortcut Trail 268A
- Greentown Trail 268
- Harper Creek Trail 260
- Holly Springs Trail 273
- Hunt Fish Falls Trail 263
- Little Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271A
- Lost Cove Trail 262
- North Harper Creek Trail 266
- North Harper Creek Falls Trail 239
- North Harper Shortcut Trail 266A
- Persimmon Ridge Trail 270
- Philips Branch Trail 252
- Pine Ridge Connector Trail 255A
- Pine Ridge Trail 255
- Raider Camp Trail 277
- Steels Creek Trail 237
- Thorps Creek Trail 279
- Timber Ridge Trail 261
- Upper Creek Falls Trail 268B
- White Rocks Trail 264
- Wilson Creek Spur Trail 258A
- Wilson Ridge Trail 269
- Wison Creek Trail 258
- Woodruff Ridge Trail 256
- Yellow Buck Trail 265
- Wisemans' View
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Hickory Branch Trail 213
- Snooks Nose Trail 211
- Linville Gorge Wilderness area
- Babel Tower Trail 240
- Bynum Bluff Trail 241
- Cabin Trail 246
- Conley Cove Trail 229
- Devils Hole Trail 244
- Hawksbill Trail 245
- Linville Gorge Trail 231
- Pinch -In Trail 228
- Rock Jock Trail 247
- Spence Ridge 233
- Table Rock
- Shortoff Mountain Trail 235
- Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area
- Greentown Shortcut Trail 268A
- Greentown Trail 268
- Harper Creek Trail 260
- Lost Cove Trail 262
- North Harper Creek Trail 266
- North Harper Creek Falls Trail 239
- North Harper Shortcut Trail 266A
- Philips Branch Trail 252
- Steels Creek Trail 237
- Timber Ridge Trail 261
- Wilson Creek Spur Trail 258A
- Wilson Ridge Trail 269
- Wison Creek Trail 258
- Yellow Buck Trail 265
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:- Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area
- Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271
- Little Lost Cove Cliffs Trail 271A
- Upper Creek Falls Trail 268B
- Wisemans' View
OHV Camping
Recreation areas with activity OHV Camping:OHV Trail Riding
Recreation areas with activity OHV Trail Riding:Visitor Centers
Recreation areas with activity Visitor Centers:Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:Tubing
Recreation areas with activity Tubing:Alerts & Warnings
- Catawba Falls Trail (TR 225) Closed
- Camping and other restrictions now in effect at Max Patch
- Nantahala RD: Multiple areas under construction
- Appalachian RD: NCDOT construction near Harmon Den may affect Forest access
- Grandfather RD: Old House Gap Rd (FS192) temporarily closed
- Recreate responsibly
- Joyce Kilmer Trail Lower Loop Closed due to rain damage
- Target Shooting prohibited on Croatan National Forest
Quick Links
- Recreation Reservations
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FY2020 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY2019 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY2018 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY2017 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY16 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY15 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
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FY14 Recreation Fee Program Accomplishment Highlights
- Recreation Outfitters & Guides
Location
Latitude :
35.686141
Longitude :
-81.911225