Gorges State Park

Open — Open year-round with reservations available up to 6 months in advance. Visitor center hours are 9am to 5pm daily with extended summer hours. Park gates open 7am to 9pm.

About

Gorges State Park, one of North Carolina's newer state parks, opened its family campground in October 2022 on a 13-acre site. The campground offers 16 non-electric tent sites, 14 campsites with varying amenities including 2 with electric hookups, and 5 camper cabins. All family campground sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof storage containers, with a maximum capacity of 6 people and 2 tents per site. The modern bathhouse provides flush toilets, showers, and trash disposal. Sites have driveways ranging from 20 to 50 feet for back-in camping. For backcountry enthusiasts, the park maintains 8 primitive designated sites accessible via the Raymond Fisher Trail, located 3/4 mile from the trailhead. These sites include fire rings, picnic tables, lantern hooks, bear-proof storage bins, and a pit privy, situated near the scenic Ray Fisher pond. All camping areas require advance reservations through the state park system. Located in the rugged Jocassee Gorge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Gorges State Park encompasses dramatic terrain with 26 waterfalls, including the popular Rainbow and Turtleback Falls. The park spans 7,909 acres and provides year-round camping opportunities with hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. Park hours run from 7am to 9pm daily, with the visitor center open 9am to 5pm (extended hours in summer). Check-in for campers is 3pm with checkout at noon. Collection of firewood is prohibited; campers must bring their own or purchase it.

Directions

From Highway 64 in Sapphire, travel 7 miles south on Highway 281 South to reach the Grassy Ridge Access and Visitor Center at 976 Grassy Ridge Road.

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