Create Southern Appalachian National Park

The mountains along the border of North and South Carolina rise dramatically from the Piedmont Plateau. In this remote region, dramatic geological formations, forests that have survived the encroachment of development and magnificent waterfalls and whitewater rivers crisscross the Jocassee Gorges.

Several pockets of still pristine areas lie within this area, marked only by trails blazed by hikers. Forests have risen from these deep canyons that were once frequented by logging companies. Dramatic waterfalls such as Rainbow, Thompson, and Whitewater plunge as much as 400 feet into these canyons highlighted by banded colorful cliffs and boulders.

Brown and the occasional Rainbow Trout thrive in these cold mountain rivers rich with oxygen essential for their survival. Autumn and winter create dramatic breathtaking scenes as stunning as anywhere else in the United States while spring and summer beckon hikers and swimmers alike to a myriad of clear pools of mountain waters.

The many outfitters in towns like Wahalla, Rosman, Pickens, Brevard, Saphire and Cashiers is a real time testament to the importance of tourism generated by this area. While tourists abound from many points of the world, the region is under attack from numerous developers and land owners that have either erased many geological features or have banned tourists from enjoying them.

The time to create a National Park encompassing this region has come. As with every national park in this country, it would create jobs, and revenue from tourism. While protecting this land from further development it would be an economic windfall for the cities and towns that surround would be an incredible national park.