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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. Type: Nature reserve. Categories: Protected areas, tourism, recreation area and tourist attraction. Location: Graham, North Carolina, South, United States, North America. View on OpenStreetMap. Latitude. 35.3574° or 35° 21' 27" north. Longitude. -83.9313° or 83° 55' 53" west.
The only way to see this forest is on foot. A 2-mile trail leads to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial and loops through giant trees. A restroom and picnic tables are located at the trailhead. Please note: Use directions below or Google Maps to map to the parking lot.
Location. From Robbinsville, take NC 143 West. After about 12 miles, turn right on Joyce Kilmer Road (SR1134). Go two miles and turn left at the signs for the Forest. Graham County NC Travel and Tourism Authority. Robbinsville, NC 28771. (828) 479-3790. 800-470-3790. Hiking.
- History
- Hiking Trails
- Facilities
- Places to Stay
- Directions
While much of the forest around Western North Carolina was once logged and has since recovered or remains under active management, this area was spared the logger's axe. (Or chainsaw, as it were). It is one of the largest contiguous tracts of old growth forests in the Eastern US. The Little Santeetlah Creek basin, which now contains Joyce Kilmer Me...
Today, the basin is permanently protected as the Joyce Kilmer - Slickrock Wilderness and the area within the Little Santeetlah Creek basin is still given the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest designation. Most hikers stay on the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail. This 2 mile figure-eight loop trail begins at the main parking area and climbs into Poplar Cove, ...
The Joyce Kilmer parking area includes a few tables for picnicking, a restroom, and maps at the trailhead. There is no running water, so be sure to bring some for the hike. Parking is limited, so be sure to arrive early on those popular summer weekends to ensure you can get a spot.
Camping
Horse Cove Campground Located just a short distance from Joyce Kilmer and Santeetlah Lake, Horse Cove Campground has 18 campsites located beside a rushing mountain stream, Little Santeetlah Creek. Drinking water and vault toilets are available in the campground. A few sites remain open year-round, although no water is available in the winter. Sites are available only on a first-come basis. More information on fs.usda.gov Rattler Ford Group Campground Rattler Ford Group Campground, just a shor...
To Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail Parking
From Robbinsville, NC, there are signs directing you to the forest. Follow US Hwy. 129 North for 1.5 miles to NC 143 West (Massey Branch Road). Turn left and go 5.0 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto Kilmer Road. Follow this road for 7.3 miles to Santeetlah Gap and the junction with the Cherohala Skyway straight ahead. Turn right; continue for another 2.5 miles. Turn left on the access road for Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest; it is about 1/2 mile to the parking area.
The only way to see the impressive memorial forest is on foot. The figure-eight Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail in NC covers 2 miles and has two loops.
- Nantahala National Forest, Robbinsville, 28771, NC
- (828) 479-6431
Discover this 1.9-mile loop trail near Robbinsville, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 57 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
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The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, part of the Nantahala National Forest, is a great preserve some of the finest original growth in the Appalachians.” The Forest Service bought 13,055 acres in 1936 for the lofty sum of $28 per acre (at a time when most land was going for $3 to $4 per acre). While most of the surrounding land was
