The Jocassee Gorges is getting some international attention. National Geographic magazine has named Jocassee Gorges one of “50 of the World’s Last Great Places-Destinations of a Lifetime.”
Mark Hall, the land Manager of the Gorges calls the recognition an honor. Hall says “We have one of the great wild places on our planet.” The four-page spread in National Geographic’s special issue, titled “Jocassee Gorges: an intense concentration of waterfalls,” features photos of Upper Whitewater Falls and Oconee bells. The article also points out the area is home to black bears, bobcats, wild turkeys, and the highest number of salamanders found anywhere in the world. The article also points out that there are some 60 species of rare plants in the gorges area.