Outdoors Gorges STATE PARK
Located along the southernmost reaches of the Blue Ridge escarpment in southwestern Transylvania County, elevations in Gorges State Park fall some 2,000 feet in only a 4-mile span. This landscape owes its existence to the unique geology and the amount of precipitation, receiving an average of more than 90 inches of rain each year. Established in April 1999 through a partnership of industry, the environmental community and the state, 7,000 acres were designated as Gorges State Park. The park has grown to about 8,000 acres in total size.
Whether it is your first visit to the park, or you have been returning for years, you are certain to find something new and refreshing to enjoy at Gorges. The park boasts more than 25 miles of hiking trails, suitable for every level of ability, along with picnic areas, front country and backcountry campsites and a 7,100-square-foot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design( LEED) gold-certified visitor center.
The visitor center has an exhibit hall, gift shop, auditorium, classroom and outdoor amphitheater. The exhibit hall houses numerous interactive displays focusing on the cultural and natural history of the park, while a fireplace and rocking chairs provide relaxation after a day on the trail, and the gift shop / reception area provides visitors a place to gather information on the park and Transylvania County. The covered wrap-around decks offer long-range southern views of the escarpment, Lake Jocassee and other properties.
VISITOR INFORMATION
– New campground –
A new campground was completed in 2022 and features full hook-up RV sites( 14), tent sites( 16), camper cabins( 5) and a shower house.
– Park hours –
The park is open daily from 7 a. m. to 9 p. m.( This changes depending on the time of year. Visitors should check the park’ s website for gate hours), with some areas closing daily a half hour before dark. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a. m. to 5 p. m. year round.
– Contact –
For additional information, call( 828) 556-6056 or go to ncparks. gov / gorges-state-park.
14 TRANSYLVANIA EXPLORER 2026