Mulberry Creek, Pisgah National Forest

Established in 1916, North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest is considered the birthplace of modern forestry. Covering more than 500,000 acres of mountainous terrain in the southern Appalachian Mountains, its proximity to the Charlotte and Asheville metropolitan areas make it a popular recreation destination. The forest includes acres of rare hardwoods and its rivers, creeks, and waterfalls provide habitat for the endangered Elktoe mussel and the native Appalachian Brook trout. In 2011, The Trust for Public Land helped add 520 acres in Caldwell County to the forest, helping protect the headwaters of the Catawba River and expanding wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities for visitors.