Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness - Robbinsville, NC
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in Robbinsville, NC, offers a stunning natural escape perfect for dog owners seeking pet-friendly trails and dog-friendly hiking experiences. This wilderness area features beautiful hiking trails, abundant wildlife, and scenic waterfalls, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry companions. The park is also kid-friendly, providing a great environment for families to enjoy nature together.
While the trails can be challenging and less maintained than other parks, this adds to the adventure for those who enjoy bushwhacking and rugged terrain. Campers will find secluded spots along the water, though caution is advised on the narrow, steep roads leading to the area. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful hike or a wilderness camping experience with your dog, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness offers a unique and memorable outdoor adventure near Robbinsville.
FAQ for Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness in Robbinsville North Carolina:
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and has kid-friendly hikes.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are beautiful hiking trails including the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail and challenging wilderness hikes with large trees and boulders.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Yes, some trails have muddy ruts and you may get your feet wet on the way down trail sections, so bringing extra shoes is recommended.
Reviews
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail is a nice easy but beautiful hike.There is no reservation needed. (Stating this because a reservation is referenced in a question below).
So pretty! We parked here and walked to New Belgium Brewing Company and back. We walked up to the brewery, so from start to finish, it was just under 3 miles for us. Very nice and leisurely walk with other walkers and bikers, but it wasn’t overly crowded at 11:45 am on Saturday, 5/18/24. It took us an hour. Definitely recommend! We suggest wearing sunscreen and bringing water because there’s not very much shade.
We love this park. Great place to relax or exercise. Also, I love to bring our dog to the dog park. My family has been going here for years. This day we went to the new labyrinth and walked it. We love uaing labyrinths as a tool for meditation. We took our dog, Betelgeuse, to the dog park, then went home. Great way to spend a Saturday.
If you want to bushwhack this is the wilderness for you. Very large trees and boulders, Amazing. Very challenging. Glad I went with more experienced friends. Hiked 32 miles and didn’t run into anyone I didn’t know. If hiking the ridge trails its possible to go all day without seeing fresh water.
Beautiful park! It’s soooo green and well maintained. I see some people hung their hammocks on the trees. Great idea!! This is a great place to relax or go for a picnic. Lots of shade.There are not a lot of parking, luckily we were able to get a spot. The restroom is right next to the parking lot, didn’t have a chance to check it out to see if it’s clean but looked fine from the outside.The park is one of the stops that link to the long walk way along the river. It’s a great trail, easy & flat with beautiful nature, calming environment. Highly recommend taking a walk here.We also walked by a decent size dog park. They split it into 2 areas for large dogs and small dogs. Lots of room for your dogs to run around and play with other dogs. Looked like they were pretty happy!
Great area for wilderness hiking. Trails are not as maintained as the Smokey’s but that adds to the challenge.
I’ve made two trips to this area. In spring 2018, we group ended up having to evacuate due to frostbite and hypothermia. We weren’t prepared for the 13+ inches of snow, and once our boots were wet from a river crossing, they not only stayed wet but froze solid.I made the same trip in spring of 2019, and the weather was perfect—sunny and warm with just enough breeze to make it ideal for hiking. I swam in the river. This was the exact same week in March.This aligns with what TeePee, the local mountain man, has observed over his many years and countless trips through JKSW. It’s cold every other year, though the extent to which we experienced it might have been atypical.You might encounter some cranberries! They’re groups of kids from the same school who do a trip there every March.Some of the trails need maintenance, and will be more of a scramble than a hike.
Hiked up to the Hangover and camped at Stratton Bald twice. Trail is 1.85mi of logging road, then steady uphill and muddy ruts. For those not accustomed to steep climbs, this can be a relentless hike. Then you get to the Bald – lovely. Lots of poison ivy, fairly reliable spring. Last time, group of 6 was challenged to find enough sturdy high branches for hanging food. No trash, lots of secluded nooks for camping . Others reported hearing “large animal” running thru bushes and “growling”. Didn’t see any bear scat or other evidence around the camping on the bald. Views of sunrise/sunset obstructed bc of trees at bald but you can wander around to better views.