A Bright Future for Rocky Fork

Overview

Rocky Fork is a nearly 10,000-acre tract of land that is the largest unprotected tract of land in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The U.S. Forest Service would like to permanently protect the 10,000 acres of Rocky Fork and has been working with the Fund and the state of Tennessee to make this happen.

Location

Along the Tennessee-North Carolina border in Unicoi and Greene counties, approximately 30 minutes from Johnson City, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina.

Current ownership

Back in 2008, the Fund purchased more than 7,000 acres at Rocky Fork and has been holding it and transferring portions to the state of Tennessee and the U.S Forest Service for permanent ownership and management as funding become available.

Our most recent project was completed in October 2011, when we conveyed a 1,400-acre parcel to the Forest Service. With this transfer, only about 1,200 acres of the approximately 10,000-acre Rocky Fork area remains unprotected! The U.S. Forest Service plans to purchase the final acres as federal funding is secured. The state of Tennessee also is expected to acquire a portion of Rocky Fork as funds become available.

Browse the photo gallery and get a glimpse of the wildlife and natural beauty in Rocky Fork.

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  Beautiful Stream in Rocky Fork
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  View from Roy's Rock
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  Mama Black Bear
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  Black Bear Cub
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  Buck in the woods
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  Timber rattlesnake
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  Red-shouldered hawk
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  Barred owl
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  Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae)
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  Foggy Forest Path
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  Rocky stream in Rocky Fork
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  Turk's cap lily

Environmental Benefits

Environmental benefits: Rocky Fork, named after the cool waters of the creek that runs down its center, lies within Cherokee National Forest and abuts the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina, creating a vast unfragmented haven for rare wildlife such as the peregrine falcon, eastern hellbender and the Yonahlossee salamander, which has never before been found south of the Nolichucky River Barrier (TN/NC). In all, 10 species of greatest conservation need have been recorded on the property. Rocky Fork is part of the Unicoi Bear Preserve and contains prime bear breeding habitat. Preserving Rocky Fork also protects the water quality in neighboring communities.

Recreational benefits

Rocky Fork’s many resources provide a range of world-class recreational opportunities that have been attracting generations of visitors from across the country. About 1.5 miles of the popular Appalachian Trail crosses the southwest border of the property, and half the property can be seen from the trail. Sixteen miles of pristine blue-ribbon trout streams, including the waters of Lower Higgins Creek and Rocky Fork Creek, harbor exceptional populations of native brook trout. Rocky Fork also boasts habitat for game animals such as bear, turkey, deer and grouse.

Economic benefits of the conservation effort

With its focus on the community, the Fund has partnered with local leaders to seek diverse economic benefits in conserving Rocky Fork, including a possible land exchange with the Forest Service and increasing Rocky Fork’s and the region’s importance as a top nature-based recreation and tourism destination.