Shining Rock Wilderness
Shining Rock Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina.
The Shining Rock Wilderness encompasses 18,483 acres of steep mountains with five peaks exceeding 6,000 feet in elevation within Pisgah National Forest.
The United States Congress designated this area as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1964, making it among the first protected wilderness zones.
The Art Loeb Trail, stretching 30.1 miles through the wilderness, connects multiple mountain peaks and represents a significant recreational path in North Carolina.
Visitors must carry bear canisters for food storage, obtain accurate trail maps before hiking, and follow strict no-campfire regulations throughout the area.
A white quartz formation at high elevation creates a reflective effect visible from multiple vantage points, giving this wilderness area its distinctive name.
Location: North Carolina
Operator: United States Forest Service
Website: https://fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48260
GPS coordinates: 35.35500,-82.84390
Latest update: May 17, 2025 10:45
Sliding Rock
7.1 km
Cold Mountain
6.2 km
Looking Glass Falls
9.5 km
Black Balsam Knob
4.1 km
Art Loeb Trail
8.8 km
Looking Glass Rock
7.3 km
Mount Pisgah
11.2 km
Richland Balsam
13.4 km
Moore Cove Falls
7.7 km
Shining Rock
2.2 km
Courthouse Falls
10.3 km
Slick Rock Falls
8.1 km
Middle Prong Wilderness
8.7 km
Tanasee Bald
9.7 km
Log Hollow Falls
4.8 km
Robinson Rock House Ruin and Plantation Site
14.4 km
Cedar Rock Falls
9.5 km
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
17.1 km
Francis Grist Mill
16.9 km
Charles E. Orr House
17.2 km
Cradle of Forestry in America
5.9 km
Godfrey-Barnette House
17.2 km
Transylvania County Courthouse
16.8 km
Main Street Historic District
16.8 km
William Deaver House
15.6 km
William Breese, Jr., House
17 km
Co-Ed Cinema
16.6 km
Richland Balsam Overlook
13.5 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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