Cold Mountain Game Land
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cold Mountain Game Land is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the state of North Carolina.
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Summary
This 25,711-acre game land is located in Haywood County and is managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
A good reason to visit Cold Mountain Game Land is to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and its diverse wildlife. The area offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Some specific points of interest to see include the Cold Mountain summit, which inspired the novel and film "Cold Mountain," as well as the Graveyard Fields waterfalls and the Shining Rock Wilderness Area.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as a logging operation and later as a site for the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. The game land is also home to several rare plant species and wildlife such as black bears, wild turkeys, and brook trout.
The best time of year to visit Cold Mountain Game Land is from May to October, as this is when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, hunters and anglers may prefer to visit during specific hunting and fishing seasons.
Overall, Cold Mountain Game Land is a must-see destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities and want to experience the beauty and diversity of the Appalachian Mountains.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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