North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve North Carolina's estuarine system is the third largest in the country, encompassing more the two million acres. This system is of prime economic importance to the coastal area -- 90 percent of the commercial seafood species caught in the state spend at least part of their lives in an estuary. The North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve was established to preserve these fragile natural areas and the variety of life they support.
Alligator River NWR The vast expanse of undisturbed swamp forest and wetlands on this refuge contains many important wildlife and ecological resources. This area remains one of the most remote and diverse swamps in eastern North Carolina. Natural communities include non-riverine swamp forests, pocosins, freshwater and brackish marshes. Its isolation and undisturbed quality add to the value of its rich wildlife habitats. The refuge is one of the last strongholds of the black bear in North Carolina and the mid-Atlantic coast. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, many species of waterfowl, neotropical migrant songbirds, and many other wildlife species are found here. The refuge serves as the core area for a bold experiment to reintroduce the red wolf back into the wild.
Apalachia Lake Remote and scenic, Apalachia Lake is located in Cherokee County, North Carolina. The lake is small, covering 1,100 acres of surface area and 31 miles of shoreline. The U.S. Forest Service manages the land around the lake as part of the Nantahala National Forest. Apalachia Lake is a small, deep, cool-water lake in a mountainous setting. It receives little fishing pressure because of its isolated nature. Sport fish include smallmouth bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish and white bass.
B. Everett Jordan Dam And Lake This 13,900-acre lake is located within a 45-minute drive from Raleigh and Durham. Boat launching, picnicking, swimming beaches, campgrounds, fishing, and public marina facilities are available for public use. Recreation areas operated by agencies of the State of North Carolina. Golden Age and Golden Access and other Federal recreation passports are not honored. The NC Forest Service operates the Jordan Lake Educational State Forest. NC Wildlife Resources Commission had jurisdiction on the lake and on gamelands. For additional information: Jordan Lake State Park: 919-362-0586; Jordan Lake Educational State Forest: 919-542-1154; Crosswinds Marina: 919-362-5391.
Blue Ridge Lake Blue Ridge Dam was constructed on the Toccoa River in 1930 by the Toccoa Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of the Tennessee Electric Power Company. TVA purchased the facility in 1939 for hydroelectric power production. The lake is entirely within Fannin County, Georgia, and the closest towns are Blue Ridge and Morganton. Blue Ridge is 11 miles long, 3,290 acres in size at normal summer pool and has approximately 65 miles of shoreline. The Chattahoochee National Forest borders part of the lake. Principal game fish include smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, and walleye.
Blue Ridge Parkway The Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469 mile recreational motor road that connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks while protecting the cultural and natural features of the region. Designed as a "scenic drive", the Parkway provides both stunning scenery and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of the mountains.
The "in depth" button to the right will access our expanded web site and allow you to explore the options available for visiting this time of year. The park information number at (828) 298 0398 is your best source for up-to-date gate closures and weather-related information.
Contact the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation website at www.brpfoundation.org or the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway web site at www.blueridgefriends.org for information on how you can get more involved in protecting this special place.
