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This 526,798-acre Nantahaha National Forest
located to the west of Asheville is home
to the
Joyce
 Kilmer Memorial Forest,one of the nation’s most
impressive preserves of old-growth forest. Here you may view
magnificent examples of over 100 species of trees, including
hemlocks and tulip-poplars over 20 feet
in circumference and 100 feet high. Some of these trees are
over 450
years old. Explored
 in 1540 by Spanish
Conquistador Hernando DeSoto and established in 1920 under the 1911
Weeks Act, this 3,800-acre forest was set aside in 1936 as a
memorial to Joyce Kilmer, the soldier/poet who wrote the famous poem
“Trees.”
The only way to see the impressive memorial forest is
on foot. The figure-eight Joyce Kilmer National Recreation Trail
covers 2 miles and has two loops: the 1.25-mile lower loop passes
the Joyce Kilmer Memorial plaque, and the upper 0.75-mile loop
swings through Poplar Cove—a grove of the forest’s largest trees.
The trailhead parking area has a flush toilet and picnic tables. No
camping or overnight parking is allowed.
The figure-eight
Joyce
Kilmer National Recreation Trail covers
2 miles and has two loops: the 1.25-mile
lower loop passes the
Joyce
Kilmer
Memorial
plaque, and the upper 0.75-mile loop swings
through Poplar Cove—a grove of the forest’s
largest trees. The trailhead parking area has a
flush toilet and picnic tables. No camping or
overnight parking is allowed.
Website:
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Location: West of
Asheville
Distance: 2-3 hours from Asheville
Address: Cheoah District Ranger Office, 1133 Massey Branch Rd.,
Robbinsville, NC 28771
Telephone: Nantahala National Forest Cheoah District Ranger
828-479-6431
Hours: Ranger Office: April-November Daily 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.;
December-March 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Fees: None
Tips: Wear good hiking shoes
Resources:
National Forests in North Carolina 160 Zillicoa Street, Suite A,
Asheville NC 28801; 828-257-4200
Nearby:
Fontana Lake,
Lake Santeetlah,
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park,
Nantahala National Forest
Directions: Take I-40W to Exit 27. Exit right onto U.S. 19/74
toward Waynesville. Go about 47 miles, and bear right on NC 28N. Go
5 miles, and turn left on NC 143 to Robbinsville. From Robbinsville
take NC 143W. After about 12 miles, turn right on Joyce Kilmer Road
(SR1134). Go 2 miles and turn left to memorial forest.
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