The area's elevation has created a climate that is more typical of the north. Winters are cold, with temperatures often falling into the 20 below zero range, and snow is common, with accumulations of up to a foot not unusual. The plant life in the park also reflects the overlap of southern and northern ecosystems. Typically southern species, such as buffalo nut and Frazier's magnolia, are intermingled with northern species, such as striped maple and hemlock. Other dominant species are rhododendron, red maple, tulip tree, oak and hickory.
Stream banks are lined with sweet birch and alders.