Wilson Creek National Wild & Scenic River

Kayakers and canoeists plunge through Boatbuster and Thunderhole Rapids. Anglers probe the greenish pools for brook, brown and rainbow trout. Sunbathers stretch out on massive boulders after a dip in the chilly waters. Wilson Creek long has been an easy-to-reach mountain oasis in the Pisgah National Forest. The free-flowing creek rises on the slopes of Grandfather Mountain in Avery County and, 20 miles later, makes a frantic dash through a 200-foot deep gorge before joining the Johns River in Caldwell County Wild — 4.6 miles; Scenic — 2.9 miles; Recreational — 15.8 miles; Total — 23.3 miles.