Hiking in
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
The United States Congress designated the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in 1975 and it now has a total of 17,394 acres. North Carolina contains approximately 13,562 acres. Tennessee contains approximately 3,832 acres. It is managed by the Forest Service.
A day trip from any Smoky Mountain Tourist City can find you in one of the only remaining virgin forests in the Southeast. Walk among magnificent yellow poplar trees measuring 15 to 20 feet in circumference and standing over 100 feet tall. Pack and enjoy a picnic lunch before or after you stroll the manicured footpaths. The path's 2 mile length makes it a pleasurable walk for the entire family.
Allow yourself time to slow down and stand in
nature's mighty gifts as you remember the words of the poet Joyce Kilmer.
Little Santeetlah Creek at the beginning
of Trailhead
The Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is bordered by and the Citico Creek Wilderness to the west.