Experience Rocky Fork after dark on a guided three-mile hike through the Appalachian forest. We’ll listen for nocturnal bird calls, search for salamanders and the ghostly glow of foxfire, and use ultraviolet lights to reveal fluorescent lichens, fungi, and other organisms hidden along the trail.
Taking place just after the new moon and near the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, this hike offers an excellent opportunity to experience one of the darkest nights of the year. Weather permitting, we may even catch a few Perseid meteors streaking overhead.
Along the way, learn how Rocky Fork State Park is working toward Dark Sky certification and help measure the quality of the night sky using a dark sky meter. At the historic Flint Creek battle site, rangers will share stories of nocturnal wildlife, frontier history, and simple ways you can help protect the darkness.
Red-light flashlights will be provided to preserve night vision.
What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water, and warm clothing. Participants should be prepared to hike approximately three miles over uneven terrain after dark.
Directions
From Johnson City or Erwin: Take I-26 South to Exit 43 and follow signs toward Rocky Fork State Park. Turn right onto TN-352 and continue for six miles. Turn right onto Rocky Fork Road and follow it for 0.8 miles to the gravel parking lot.
From Asheville or Mars Hill: Take I-26 North to Exit 50. Turn left onto Upper Higgins Road and continue for 0.6 miles, then turn right onto Old Asheville Highway and travel 2.2 miles. Turn left onto Rocky Fork Road and continue for 0.8 miles to the gravel parking lot
