Threats to Wilson Creek

Touted as one of North Carolina’s most pristine and rugged terrains, Wilson Creek’s recreational area attracts an ever-increasing number of visitors. This rising popularity, fueled by close proximity to the highly populated areas of Charlotte, Raleigh, and the Interstate 40 corridor, and relatively easy access to the forests, has resulted in an ecologically unsustainable level of use. The influx of crowds has created significant traffic, litter, and human waste issues.

Parking

On fair weather weekends, more than 460 cars claim spots along a two-mile stretch of Brown Mountain Beach Road. Legal parking spots are limited to 141 spaces. Once those fill, visitors park illegally, blocking road access for first responders and local residents.

Litter

By the end of a peak-season day, dumpsters are heaped with bags of trash, piles of spent charcoal, scraps of food, and empty cans of soda and beer, and far more is left behind where it falls, creating issues for wildlife and visitors. Caldwell County hauls away well over 35,000 pounds of trash per year. In addition, the nonprofit volunteer organization A Clean Wilson Creek hauled away over 11,000 pounds of trash in 2023 alone, and more than 75,000 pounds since 2019.

Human Waste

Within the entire Wilson Creek day-use area there are just two toilets, except on holiday weekends when the USFS sets up portable toilets along the river corridor. With the absence of facilities, many visitors simply make use of the outdoors. Conditions have grown so extreme that A Clean Wilson Creek has been forced to cancel scheduled cleanup activities due to biologically hazardous conditions.

Public Safety

Overuse of the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River area endangers public safety. Crowds hinder emergency response by blocking the sole access road into the gorge. Drownings and incidents requiring remote rescues are on the rise. Violations of wildlife, fishing, alcohol, and fire regulations are increasing, as are incidents of graffiti, vandalism, and other civil disturbances.

Ways You Can Help

Contact state and federal officials, ask them to help us protect Wilson Creek by

  • Prohibiting all fires in the wilderness area
  • Requiring personal floatation devices for everyone using Wilson Creek
  • Controlling access to the area
  • Designating more parking