Mount Jefferson State Park was established in 1956 when the efforts of local citizens led to the acquisition of 400 acres of land. The establishment was the culmination of an extensive local effort to create a public park on the scenic mountain top. The park serves residents and visitors of North Carolina by protecting wildlife and natural communities within the park; providing opportunities and facilities for viewing and enjoying the major scenic values of the area; providing opportunities for appropriate outdoor recreational use; and providing interpretive and environmental programs that educate park visitors on the plant life, geology, and ecology. The Old-Growth Forest Network is the only national network in the U.S. of protected, old-growth, native forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature. Join park staff as the celebrate the old growth forests at Mount Jefferson!