Black bears, deer, wild turkeys and wild hogs are known to live here. Bald River Trail climbs steeply from a parking lot at Bald River Falls on the northern edge of the Wilderness at Bald River Falls Picnic Area, slopes down past a series of waterfalls and along an old logging railway bed until it rises to follow a narrow path on the side of the gorge. Alternating between riverbank and gorge rim, the trail eventually passes through thick stands of laurel and rhododendron and climbs briefly to Bald River Road and Cantrell Parking Area on the southern boundary. Distance is less that six miles, the hiking is relatively easy and campsites exist in several sheltered spots. Two additional trails provide shorter hikes in the northern section.
Human use is heavy.
A map is available from the district ranger for three dollars. Click here to find out how. Copyright Rodale, Inc. 2001.