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 The
Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls and heavily forested
slopes. It is an ideal place, a s are all of the national forests, for outdoor
recreation. The forest gets its name from Mount Pisgah, a prominent peak in the
area. In the 1700s a Scotch-Irish minister saw the peak and named it for the
Biblical mountain from which Moses saw the promised land after 40 years of
wandering in the wilderness. Located on two sides of
Asheville, the forest is
more than 490,000 acres and spreads over 12 western North Carolina counties. The
forest is more or less divided in half by the
Blue Ridge Parkway, and the
Appalachian Trail runs along its border with Tennessee. The Mountains-to-the-Sea
Trail crosses through the forest. Pisgah National Forest contains three
wilderness areas, Middle Prong, Linville Gorge and the Shining Rock section, and
is divided into four districts: Pisgah District, French Broad District,
Grandfather District and Tocane District.
A short drive from downtown Asheville, the Pisgah District of the National
Forest has a number of outstanding features and points of interest. This
district is the most popular of all four, and receives over five million
visitors a year. Over 156,000 acres in size, it encompasses parts of Buncombe,
Haywood, Henderson, and Transylvania counties. There are over 275 miles of
trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Two of the three
wilderness areas, Shining Rock and Middle Prong, are in this district. There is
a Ranger Station and Visitor Center located on US 276 a few miles into the
forest from Hwy. 280 in Brevard. I recommend you visit the center before
continuing on into the forest.
Website:
Pisgah National Forest
Location: The Pisgah District of the Pisgah National Forest is located to
the west of
Asheville
Distance: 45 minutes-1 hour from Asheville to the Brevard area entrance
to the park.
Address: Pisgah District Office, 1001 Pisgah Hwy., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Telephone: Pisgah District Office: 828-877-3350, 828-257-4203
Appalachian Ranger District, French Broad Station: 828-622-3202
Appalachian Ranger District, Toecane Ranger Station: 828-682-6146
Grandfather Ranger District: 828-652‑2144
Hours: Pisgah District Ranger Station Visitor Center: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5
p.m.; holidays and Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays noon-5 p.m.
Fees: None to enter park
Camping: Davidson River, Lake Powhatan,
North Mills River Recreation
Area, Sunburst.
Tips: Obtain maps and information at Visitor Center. You may order maps through
the mail by calling 828-884-4734. The forest also has excellent mountain biking
trails.
Of Note: The Cradle of Forestry located in the forest was the birthplace of
modern forestry in America. It is a National Historic Site.
Nearby:
Cradle of
Forestry Historic Site,
Waterfalls in Western North
Carolina,
Blue Ridge Parkway,
North Mills River Recreation
Area,
Forest Discovery
Center
Resources:
Forest Supervisor/National Forests in NC: 106 A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, NC
28801; 828-257-4200
Directions: From Asheville: Take Airport Rd. (Hwy. 280) off of Hendersonville
Hwy. in Arden. Continue on 280 past Asheville airport to Wal-Mart Shopping Plaza
just before Brevard. Turn right onto US 276 into Pisgah Forest. The R anger
Visitor Center will be located on the right a few miles in.
From Hendersonville: Take US 64 West from downtown to the intersection of Hwy.
280 and Hwy. 276 at the Wal-Mart Shopping Plaza. Continue straight through light
to US 276 and into the Forest. Look for the Ranger Visitor Center on your right.
Some major points of interest within the Pisgah District:
Andy Cove Nature Trail: A self-guided trail located behind Pisgah Ranger Station
(0.7 miles), that goes through several forest habitats. The trail takes about 30
minutes to walk.
Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway: A 79-mile highway loop (US 276, US 64 NC
215 & FS 475) provides numerous opportunities to view the outstanding scenery of
the forest, in an area rich in forest history.
Forest Discovery
Center This National
Historic Site commemorates the birthplace of American forestry and forest
education. The Forest Discovery Center features two interpretive exhibits and a
gift shop, guided tours on two trails featuring eight historic buildings,
restored stationary logging locomotive and living history interpretation by
local crafters. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April-October 877-3130.
Lake Powhatan: A family recreation area in Asheville's backyard, Lake Powhatan
is located off NC 191 at the end of Bent Creek Rd. The park provides picnic
tables with grills and water sources, fishing, swimming beach and hiking trails.
Looking Glass Falls: A beautiful 30-foot wide waterfall that drops more than 60
feet down to a rock cliff. A trail with steps leads to an overlook and to the
bottom of the falls. Located along Hwy. 276. Parking is provided.
North Mills River Recreation
Area:T his popular area offers picnic tables with grills
along the beautiful North Mills River. A popular activity here is tubing on the
river. 13 miles north of Hendersonville.
Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery and Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education:
Different species and size of trout can be observed in the raceways and fish
food is available to feed the fish. For group programs and information call
877-4423. Located off Hwy. 276 on Davidson River Rd. (FS Rd.
475).
Sliding Rock Recreation Area: This very popular observation and water play area
is a natural waterslide located on Hwy. 276. Visitors can slide down a 60-foot
rock into a 7-foot deep pool; restrooms, changing areas, large parking lot,
observation deck, site attendant on duty Memorial Day through mid-August. Small
fee.
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