Create the Craggy National Scenic Area

craggy national scenic area

create north carolina's first national scenic area

The proposed Craggy National Scenic Area would permanently protect 18,000 acres of the most beautiful and biologically diverse forests in the East. Craggy includes ancient forests, waterfalls, trout streams, and iconic trails like the Mountains to Sea Trail. Unfortunately, the Forest Service is targeting 3,000 acres of Craggy for logging, including its old-growth forests and headwaters.  We need Congress to create the Craggy National Scenic Area to permanently protect these stunning forests.

Sign the petition below or call your Congressional leaders now:   Senator Tillis: 202-224-6342           Senator Budd: 202-224-3154

craggy overlook

what is the craggy  national scenic area?

The Craggy National Scenic Area will permanently protect 18,000 acres of ancient forests, waterfalls, trout streams, world-class trails, and panoramic vistas less than 15 miles from downtown Asheville.

The Craggy National Scenic Area will also permanently protect the panoramic viewsheds from Craggy Gardens, the most popular and most photographed spot along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.

The United States only has ten national scenic areas. Craggy will be our eleventh, and it will be the first-ever National Scenic Area in North Carolina.

How Will This Help Our region?

The Craggy National Scenic Area will  protect the entire 18,000-acre Craggy-Big Ivy section of Pisgah as a National Scenic Area. It also will protect one of the largest old-growth forests in the East, home to over 44 rare and endangered species. Its pristine headwaters are home to native trout and part of a protected watershed and drinking water source for the region. Craggy National Scenic Area will be a cornerstone of recreation and tourism less than 15 miles from downtown Asheville. 

Craggy has widespread public and local community support. A record-setting 36,000 comments have flooded the Forest Service in support of the Craggy National Scenic Area. The local Big Ivy community wholeheartedly supports the Craggy National Scenic Area. The City of Asheville has passed two unanimous bipartisan resolutions supporting the Craggy National Scenic Area. Buncombe County has also passed unanimous bipartisan resolutions supporting the Craggy National Scenic Area.

Craggy will protect and enhance the scenery and recreational opportunities that are vital to our region. Craggy National Scenic Area also protects municipal drinking water supplies, trout streams, waterfalls, and iconic trails like the Mountains to Sea Trail, North Carolina's state trail.

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Bartram Trail
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What Forest Users Will This Affect?

None! The designations ensure that everything in Craggy stays the same. All existing roads and trails will remain open to all current uses, including horseback riding, hunting, fishing, biking, paddling, rock climbing, trail running, hiking, and camping. Craggy has become a world-class mountain biking destination, and all mountain bike trails—including the 20-mile trail network from Laurel Gap to Corner Rock—will remain open to mountain bikes.

The Craggy National Scenic Area is endorsed by a broad and diverse coalition of over 150 organizations, dozens of Buncombe County businesses, and thousands of local supporters. The Forest Service received over 10,000 comments supporting permanent protections for Craggy-Big Ivy—more than any other area in the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest. The Buncombe County Commissioners and Asheville City Council passed unanimous bipartisan resolutions supporting the complete Craggy Mountain Wilderness and stronger protections for all of Craggy.

DESIGNATE THE CRAGGY NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

SIGN THE PETITION TO CREATE THE CRAGGY NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

Add your name and share widely!

     
    Please introduce legislation to create the Craggy National Scenic Area—North Carolina's first-ever National Scenic Area.

    The Craggy National Scenic Area will permanently protect 18,000 acres of the most beautiful and biologically diverse forests in the East. Craggy includes ancient forests, waterfalls, pristine trout streams, and iconic trails like the Mountains to Sea Trail, North Carolina's state trail. The Craggy National Scenic Area will also permanently protect the panoramic vistas from Craggy Gardens, the most visited and popular destination along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.

    Craggy's pristine headwaters are home to native trout and part of a protected watershed and municipal drinking water source for the region. It will protect the old-growth forests and watersheds of Snowball Mountain and Ivy Knob. Craggy National Scenic Area will be a cornerstone of recreation and tourism less than 15 miles from downtown Asheville. Craggy will protect and enhance the scenery and recreational opportunities that are vital to our region.

    Craggy has widespread public and local community support. A record-setting 36,000 comments have flooded the Forest Service in support of the Craggy National Scenic Area. The local Big Ivy community wholeheartedly supports the Craggy National Scenic Area. The City of Asheville and Buncombe County have passed unanimous bipartisan resolutions supporting the Craggy National Scenic Area.

    There are already three National Scenic Areas in Virginia and Georgia. North Carolina deserves a National Scenic Area, and nowhere is more stunning and spectacular than Craggy.

    You can create the first-ever National Scenic Area in North Carolina. Thank you for considering this opportunity to highlight North Carolina's world-class scenery and recreational opportunities.