10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Pisgah Forest That You Shouldn't Miss

August 15, 2021 Deane Carmody

Pisgah Forest is an unincorporated community in Transylvania County, North Carolina, United States. It sits at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 m) along U.S. Route 64, northeast of Brevard. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from the Asheville Airport. The community lies in an area noted for its many waterfalls and white squirrels. Pisgah Forest is a popular retirement area, at least partly because of the many hiking trails and trout streams of the nearby Pisgah National Forest and the DuPont State Forest.
Restaurants in Pisgah Forest

1. Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah Forest, NC +1 828-877-3350 http://www.pisgahnationalpark.com
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 662 reviews

Pisgah National Forest

A park within easy driving distance from Hendersonville that offers hiking, camping and fishing.

Reviewed By tomtI3003XC - Concord, United States

Pisgah Forest has some beautiful streams, waterfalls, mountains, and unspoiled forest that can’t be beat! Whether you are site seeing , hiking , trout fishing, camping or Mountain biking there are more than enough in the huge National Forest ???? The Looking Glass Waterfall is a prime example of just some of the sights to see, with very easy access to view it’s beauty right off the side of the main road coming into the forest from North Brevard NC. And just a little south of Pisgah is my favorite MTB getaway DuPont State Forest, so you can enjoy both with minimal driving.

2. The Bike Farm

Excellent
93%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 361 reviews

The Bike Farm

The Bike Farm is a professional mountain bike guide and concierge service for cyclists visiting Western North Carolina. Permitted in Pisgah and DuPont forests, we offer 1/2 day, full-day, and multi-day mountain bike trips custom tailored to meet your desires. We are a Pisgah cyclist's best resource on where to ride, eat, stay and play. The only way to ride like a local is to ride with a local!

3. White Squirrel Paddle Boards

Excellent
98%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 40 reviews

White Squirrel Paddle Boards

White Squirrel Paddle Boards is an outdoor recreation experience company teaching people how to stand up paddle board (SUP), providing SUP rentals, trip packages, and the sale of SUPs directly to consumers. This company is a mobile business serving Transylvania County and Western North Carolina. This company brings the adventure to you

4. Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School

Excellent
99%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 328 reviews

Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School

As the first rock climbing guide service in the Southeast to be accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association, Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School offers guided rock and ice climbing trips throughout the region. Whether you are a family who wants to try something new and adventurous or an experienced climber who wants to climb the tallest rock face on the East Coast, we have programs to suit to everyone from complete novices to experts. Let Fox Mountain Guides take you higher!

5. Pisgah Forest Gem Mine

3338 Asheville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-9796 +1 828-367-8330 [email protected] http://www.pfgems.com/
Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 164 reviews

Pisgah Forest Gem Mine

Gem mining just minutes from downtown Brevard and Sliding Rock. Just a short drive from Asheville. We have the perfect bucket waiting for you. You can find Rubies, Sapphires, Amethyst, Geodes, and many, many more minerals and gemstones. Bring the whole family and share a bucket. We are pet friendly too! Come visit us today, we will keep your bucket ready!

Reviewed By lorihT5925QQ - Tucson, United States

My brother-in-law wanted to do this but the rest of the family wasn’t too sure about it, but decided that we would all go since he had spent the previous days doing what we wanted to do. Well let me tell you, we all enjoyed it! We split into groups and did 3 large buckets. This is not just for kids, we are all grown adults. The guys that work there were great. Definitely recommend this place!

6. Devil's Courthouse

Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 422.4, Pisgah Forest, NC http://www.exploreasheville.com/things-to-do/hiking-trails/devils-courthouse/
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 54 reviews

Devil's Courthouse

Reviewed By cmoney2032 - Toledo, United States

We loved it and did it with a 3 and 4.5 year old. It’s really worth the short time for the great view. It was also good practice for the kids as it wasn’t far but had some different terrain elements. This short walk/hike is not for those with mobility issues or difficulty walking steep grades/loose rocks. It’s paved about halfway on what has to be the steepest pavement I’ve ever walked on. No big deal, but pavement does not equal take a stroller or wheelchair. Can’t be done. The second half the path is loose rocks and rock/dirt steps and some tight portions of path. Again, not a big deal but be aware. We saw all ages doing it but some elderly people were really struggling. It’s really not that far but straight up. The view from the top is great.

7. Sliding Rock

Pisgah Forest, NC +1 828-877-3265 http://www.visitnc.com/listing/sliding-rock
Excellent
72%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 897 reviews

Sliding Rock

Waterfall slide, sending 11,000 gallons of water down a huge rock each minute.

Reviewed By TheRobinsons57 - Pembroke Pines, United States

This place always delivers fun, and you must slide down the rocks aleast once in your life.. Was here three years ago. And nothing change except now there charge to use the restroom thsts a bummer.. .

8. Cradle of Forestry

11250 Pisgah Hwy The hours have been changed and it closes at 4pm now., Pisgah Forest, NC 28768-9988 +1 828-877-3130 http://www.cradleofforestry.com/
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 255 reviews

Cradle of Forestry

*Temporarily Closed for Winter Hours, reopening April 7th, 2018* Continuing a legacy of forest conservation history, the Cradle of Forestry offers a snap shot of life at America's first school of Forestry along the Biltmore Campus Trail. You can also take a picturesque walk along the Forest Festival Trail complete with a restored 1914 logging locomotive, or take a simulated ride with firefighters aboard a helicopter on their way to a roaring fire in the wilds of Idaho in the Forest Discovery Center Exhibit Hall. Come explore the sights and sounds, check out the events and activities, and plan your adventure at the birthplace of Forest Conservation in America - the Cradle of Forestry in America. We are CLOSED November-March.

Reviewed By joselync32 - Atlanta, United States

Wonderful 1 mile or 2 mile paved hike. Historic buildings related to beginning of forestry education in the US. Can bring your dog. Lovely streams, bridges and plants/bushes along the pathway. Kid, dog and adult friendly! Will go back

9. Looking Glass Rock

Pisgah Forest, NC http://Nps.gov
Excellent
81%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 147 reviews

Looking Glass Rock

A geological formation that is made of pure quartz and has been a sacred site of the native Cherokee Nation.

Reviewed By bradleyland - Vero Beach, United States

Looking Glass Rock is an iconic location that many only see from the Blue Ridge Parkway overlook. Do yourself a favor and make the hike from the other side, look back at the Blue Ridge Parkway, and give the onlookers a wave :) This hike gains roughly 1,700 ft of (cumulative) elevation along its 3 mile route, but the incline is mostly steady, spread out over the entire distance. It's a great hike for anyone looking to step up from easier hikes that lack elevation gain. The mixed commentary here on TA is likely owed to varying fitness levels. I would not consider any part of this trail technical, but there are some sections that require you to make considerable "steps" up or down, so you'll need to be able bodied. There is only one rocky section, but it can be circumnavigated fairly easily. The hike up is somewhat varied, including wooded valleys and dense tree tunnels. Trail surface varies between light gravel, clay, stone, and even some sand. The mid section includes a series of switchbacks that show obvious signs of scrambling :( Please resist the temptation. We visited in August, with a temperature of around 75°F and clear skies. It hadn't rained for a couple of days, so the trail was reasonably dry, with some wet spots here and there. There are obvious signs of water erosion on the trail though, so if you're headed here after considerable rain, don't wear anything you'd hate to get muddy. Personally, I'd recommend hiking boots, as there are a ton of roots on the trail, but we saw plenty of people in tennis shoes and even sandals. Inadequate footwear will require extra diligence, but shouldn't slow you down. As far as wildlife, BEWARE of yellow jackets in summer months. One landed on my sock, got pinched by my boot, and stung me good. My AllTrails recording shows that we took 3hrs 10min to make the hike, with a moving time of 3hrs 6min, so basically a 30 minute per mile pace, which felt like a moderate workout, but not heart-pounding. Our fitness level is average, and we live in Florida, so elevation really kicks our butts.

10. Looking Glass Falls

Hwy 276, Pisgah Forest, NC +1 828-257-4200 http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/looking_glass1.htm
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 869 reviews

Looking Glass Falls

Reviewed By WaterfallLover007 - Greeneville, United States

Beautiful roadside waterfall. There is an upper viewing platform that is wheelchair accessible. Next to the platform are stairs that you can take down to the base of the waterfall. There's a small spot in the middle of the stairs with another area you can view the waterfall from if you want a closer look without going all the way to the bottom.

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