The Wilson Creek area is part of the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. Looking at a map, the area is just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Grandfather Mountain and east of NC 181, north of Morganton. Wilson Creek was added to the National Wild and Scenic River System on August 18, 2000. The headwaters are below Calloway Peak and the creek stretches over 23 miles before emptying into John's River. The designations are as follows - Wild - 4.6 miles; Scenic - 2.9 miles; Recreational - 15.8 miles, but I don't know which sections are which designation. Activities in the area include hiking, car camping, backpacking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and swimming.
The trails in the Wilson Creek area are generally rugged, so be prepared. Most are signed at trailheads, but few have internal signs or blazes on the trees. The descriptions below are for a few of the more popular trails. Use the descriptions in conjunction with a map of the area. All of these trails are open to hiking and a few are open to mountain bikes. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail, blazed with white circles, crosses through the area.
Item #: WILSON CREEK
