Middle Prong Wilderness

The Middle Prong Wilderness spans 7,900 acres of mountainous terrain with dense forests, cold streams, and numerous hiking trails at elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet.

The United States Congress designated this section of Pisgah National Forest as a protected wilderness area in 1984, preserving its natural state for future generations.

The wilderness regulations maintain the land's primitive character by prohibiting mechanical transportation and requiring visitors to rely on traditional navigation methods without marked trails.

Visitors can access the wilderness through Rough Butt Bald Overlook at Mile 425.4 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the Mountains-to-Sea Trail provides the main hiking route.

The high-elevation environment supports a distinct forest ecosystem of Fraser fir and red spruce trees, creating conditions similar to Canadian woodland environments.

Location: North Carolina

Inception: 1984

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48250

GPS coordinates: 35.33890,-82.93720

Latest update: March 3, 2025 02:33