Nothing will put a spring in your step like warmer temperatures, budding wildflowers and Carolina Blue skies. If you have a yen to experience the great outdoors this spring and early summer, there’s no better destination than Brevard, North Carolina. Home to Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park and Headwaters State Forest, Brevard and Transylvania County are the perfect jumping off point for adventures of every description. Best of all, Brevard’s wide array of comfortable accommodations makes for the perfect home away from home, whether you’re here for a week or a long weekend.
For over 100 years, Brevard has been known as the Land of Waterfalls. With over 250 cascades of every description, it’s the largest concentration of waterfalls in North America. But with so many to choose from, where do you start? Just check out our Top 10 Waterfalls blog. Here you’ll find ten classic cascades along with photos and directions. But don’t forget: waterfalls and the areas around them can be treacherous. Be sure to get familiar with our Waterfall Safety tips before heading out.
Why not “spring” into action with a nice walk in the woods? In all, there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails to explore in Pisgah, DuPont, Gorges, and Headwaters. With so many trails to discover, let the experts point you in the right direction. Friendly, knowledgeable staff at the Pisgah Ranger Station and the DuPont and Gorges visitor centers can help you choose a hike that’s perfect for your abilities and your time.
Almost 300 miles of singletrack in Pisgah and DuPont, along with hundreds of additional miles of forest gravel roads, make Brevard a paradise for serious mountain bikers. Road cycling is equally popular here, with lots of scenic and challenging tarmac (including an extraordinary stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway). We’ve put together a helpful overview of the cycling scene in Transylvania County that includes some classic road and gravel routes as well as a curated list of local cycling resources to show you how we roll.
Why not get a new perspective on life from a canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard or inner tube? Transylvania County’s legendary waterways, which include the French Broad River (3rd oldest in the world), Little River and Davidson River, offer myriad opportunities to go with the flow. Here you’ll find a list of local outfitters who can get you on the water.
Looking to catch more than spring fever? Well, there’s a reason fly-fishing afficionados are hooked on Transylvania County. It’s home to over 500 miles of fishable streams within an hour’s drive of Brevard, including the legendary Davidson River, one of the Top 100 trout streams in the U.S. Several local outfitters offer gear, instruction and expert guide services to help you find your own secret honey hole.
Even the most stalwart explorer needs a break from time to time. And we’ve got just the place: Brevard, named “one of America’s coolest small towns” by Budget Travel. Here you’ll find a classic downtown filled with one-of-a-kind shops and studios along with a wide variety of great dining options to help fuel your next adventure. If you find yourself further afield in Transylvania County, there are lots of small communities well worth exploring. For example, if you’re in DuPont State Recreational Forest, the tiny but charming community of Cedar Mountain is just a stone’s throw away. If you’ve been exploring Gorge State Park, it’s well worth a visit to the community of Lake Toxaway. And if you’ve spent some time on the French Broad River, the town of Rosman welcomes you with a beautiful riverside park.
Brevard and Transylvania County have a fascinating history. That history is preserved in several fascinating places that are well worth checking out. The Transylvania Heritage Museum makes a great first stop for history buffs, offering permanent and special exhibits as well as walking tours. (They also manage the historic Silversteen Museum). Transylvania County’s role in the modern forestry movement is chronicled at the Cradle of Forestry, a picturesque facility in Pisgah National Forest with interactive exhibits, historic buildings and interpretive walks. The Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas in downtown Brevard honors the contributions of our veterans. And the Allison-Deaver House will give you a firsthand look at how early settlers in Transylvania County lived. These attractions, along with many others, are also the perfect way to enjoy a rainy day.
One of Brevard’s special qualities is its appeal to visitors of every age. This is especially true for kids. Watching a child discover the many wonders of the outdoors is a gratifying experience to which any parent can attest. In addition, Brevard’s summer camps have welcomed children for more than 100 years, introducing them to new adventures that will live in their memories for a lifetime. But even short visits with family can yield all manner of unforgettable joys, from finding a rare specimen at a gem mine to turning a clay pot at a local craft studio. Plus, Transylvania’s network of local parks and athletic facilities, which include two skate parks and an American Ninja Warrior-style fitness course, serves up traditional playground delights.
To find out more about Brevard and Transylvania County, including our stellar line-up of fun festivals, live music and notable special events, make a beeline to explorebrevard.com
