Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness

Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness is a nearly 20,000-acre federally protected wilderness area in North Carolina managed by the Forest Service. The landscape is rugged backcountry terrain suited to foot travel and solitude-seeking visitors. Hiking and backpacking are the primary activities; motorized use, mechanized travel, and mountain bikes are prohibited throughout the wilderness. Access is by foot only, and all visitors must follow Leave No Trace principles and camp in designated sites or dispersed areas according to wilderness regulations. The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when weather is most stable and trails are passable. Winter conditions can make access difficult, and creek crossings may be impassable during heavy rains or snowmelt.