Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Map showing the location of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Map showing the location of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
LocationGraham County, North Carolina , USA
Nearest cityRobbinsville, North Carolina
Coordinates35°22′25″N 83°58′32″W / 35.37361°N 83.97556°W / 35.37361; -83.97556
Area3,800 acres (15 km2)
Established1936
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service
Children at the foot of giant tulip-poplars
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest is an approximately 3,800-acre tract of publicly owned virgin forest in Graham County, North Carolina, named in memory of poet Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918), best known for his poem "Trees". One of the largest contiguous tracts of old growth forest in the Eastern United States, the area is administered by the U. S. Forest Service. The memorial forest is a popular family hiking destination and features an easy two-mile, figure-eight trail that includes a memorial plaque at the juncture of the two loops. In 1975 the memorial forest was joined with a much larger tract of the Nantahala National Forest to become part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness.