Posted in North Carolina Attractions, Hiking, Nature, Seasonal, State Parks, Waterfalls, Winter February 08, 2023 by

The Little-Known Park In North Carolina That Transforms Into An Ice Palace In The Winter

Owned by the State of North Carolina, Green River Game Land contains 14,331 acres and lies along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Henderson and Polk counties. This beautiful acreage and crystal, clear Green River are utilized by wildlife lovers of all kinds from hunters to swimmers. Also hiking is very popular year-round on approximately 13 miles of developed trails offered here between the Big Hungry section of the game land and Green River Cove. Let’s take a look at this wild and wooded wonderland as it transforms into an abstract ice palace in the winter.

Green River Game Land is maintained by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
Irving Wilder/AllTrails
The staff won't let you get lost with well-placed signage.
Green River Game Lands, 645 Green River Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773, USA
We love to visit these trails in the spring as new life is sprouting.
Shelly Smith/AllTrails
Or a rainbow show is the very best summer-day surprise.
Viri Mandujano/AllTrails
It is equally hard to avoid visiting during the colorful autumn glory.
Matthew Hall/AllTrails
And while it may be hard to see some of the cool critters that hang out during the warmer seasons, don't discount the breathtaking beauty of the winter months.
Karen Cozens/AllTrails
1. Rock Hop Loop Trail
Sophia Caldwell/AllTrails
Set aside about 45 minutes to make footprints on this 1.9-mile, moderately challenging loop trail near Flat Rock.
These icicles offer a preview of the bigger picture.
Ben Tribble/AllTrails
2. Lower Big Hungry Falls Trail
Jason Chesnutt/AllTrails
This little trail, also near Flat Rock, is barely a mile and offers a big payoff for little effort.
Check out the interesting ice formations set off by the ruins of an old powerhouse building.
Tony Helmuth/AllTrails
Park at the Green River Narrows Put In parking area where you'll find the trailhead.
Green River Narrows Put In, 825 Gallimore Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731, USA
3. Little Bradley Falls Trail
Jennifer Corbin/AllTrails
Just look at the architecture you'll find on this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Saluda.
This hike takes you under a canopy of trees featuring a 50-foot waterfall even more splendid under an arctic freeze.
Joshua Gantt/AllTrails
4. Milton Bradley Falls Trail
Light Fighter Crumb/AllTrails
Also near Saluda, here is a closeup of some frosty formations you'll see on the 4.8-mile out-and-back trail. Did you know that many organisms can survive the ice?
They await the thaw when we will be so happy to see them again.
Barry Beavers/AllTrails

How about it — are you ready to get out your longjohns to see Green River Game Land turn into an ice palace this winter?  And while you’re at it, experience a winter zipline tour at The Gorge in Saluda.

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