Bald River Gorge Wilderness

Bald River Gorge Wilderness is a 3,791-acre federally protected Wilderness Area in Tennessee, managed by the Forest Service. The area offers primitive backcountry hiking and backpacking in a rugged gorge setting, where visitors can experience genuine solitude away from developed infrastructure.

As a designated Wilderness, the area is off-limits to roads, motors, and mechanized travel of any kind. All access is on foot, and visitors must practice Leave No Trace principles—packing out all waste, camping only in designated areas where permitted, and traveling lightly across the landscape. This is genuine backcountry: expect no facilities, marked trails may be minimal or unmaintained, and self-reliance is essential.

Access and timing depend on trailhead location and weather. Spring through fall is the primary season, though conditions vary by elevation and moisture. Winter can bring hazardous snow and ice. Always check current conditions with the Forest Service before planning a trip, and obtain any required permits or passes.