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

  1. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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.

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

Shelly Smith/AllTrails

Viri Mandujano/AllTrails

Matthew Hall/AllTrails

Karen Cozens/AllTrails

Sophia Caldwell/AllTrails

Set aside about 45 minutes to make footprints on this 1.9-mile, moderately challenging loop trail near Flat Rock.

Ben Tribble/AllTrails

Jason Chesnutt/AllTrails

This little trail, also near Flat Rock, is barely a mile and offers a big payoff for little effort.

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

Jennifer Corbin/AllTrails

Just look at the architecture you’ll find on this 1.8-mile out-and-back trail near Saluda.

Joshua Gantt/AllTrails

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?

Barry Beavers/AllTrails

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