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Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park

976 Grassy Ridge Road
SapphireNC  28774
(828) 966-9099

Park Hours:
General Park Hours
7:00a to Midnight

Picnic Areas
8:00a to Dusk

Visitor Center
Monday - Friday: 9:00a - 4:00p
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00a - 5:00p

Gorges State Park is a 7,700 acre North Carolina state park in Transylvania County, North Carolina. It is about 42 miles from Hendersonville, NC. Gorges State Park is open for year-round recreation, including, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and fishing.  Gorges State Park has rugged river gorges, sheer rock walls and one of the greatest concentrations of rare and quique species in the eastern united states.

Read more: Gorges State Park

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Cradle of Forestry

Cradle of Forestry

Cradle of Forestry

11250 Pisgah Highway
Pisgah ForestNC  28768
(828) 877-3130

Pisgah National Forest is also home of the Cradle of Forestry in America offers a snap shot of life at America's first school of Forestry.

The Cradle of Forestry is the birthplace of Forest Conservation in America. The facility is opened from 13 April, 2013 through 19 Oct. 2013. Forestry in the United States began at the Pisgah National Forest and George Vanderbilt, who built the Biltmore house and owned many, many, acres, was an initial promoter of forestry.

Take a walk along the picturesque Forest Festival Trail complete with a restored 1915 logging locomotive, or take a 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.

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Dense Lake in Dupont State Forest

Dupont State Forest

Hours: 5:00a - 10:00p

Admission: Free

Parts of the movies "The Hunger Games" and the "Last of the Mohicans" were shot in Dupont Forest.

Dupont State Recreational Forest covers an area of 10,400 acres and is located about half-way between Hendersonville and Brevard. It provides over 80 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails throughout the forest. Dupont State Forest is one of North Carolina's Best mountain biking and horseback riding areas.

In addition, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are allowed were permitted. There are six scenic waterfalls in Dupont Forest; Triple Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, and Wintergreen Falls. There are also five lakes in Dupont Forest. The largest is 99 acre Lake Julia.

The Visitor Center and restrooms are located at the High Falls parking area. There are also restrooms and changing rooms for swimming at Hooker Falls parking area. There are plenty of spots for picnics.

Read more: Dupont State Forest

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Holmes Educational State Forest

Holmes Educational State Forest

Holmes Educational State Forest

1299 Crab Creek Road
HendersonvilleNC  28739
(828) 692-0100

Hours:
Open Mid-March until late November (Free Admission)
Tuesday - Friday: 9:00a - 5:00p
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00a - 6:00p

Holmes Educational State Forest is a managed forest designed to promote better understanding of the value of forests through exhibits. The purpose of Holmes Educational State Forest is to teach children and adults about the complex, interdependent ecosystems which make up a forest and which can be managed for a multitude of uses.

Read more: Holmes Educational State Forest

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Shuck Ridge Falls in Pisgah Forest State Park

Pisgah National Forest


Pisgah National Forest is located near Brevard on Hwy 276. Pisgah National Forest is over 500,000 acres and is primarily a hardwood forest. Pisgah offers many recreational activities ranging from waterfall viewing, hiking, camping, picnic sites, mountain biking, wading, swimming and fishing. Some of Pisgah National Forest’s attractions include Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

The magnificent Looking Glass Falls is located on the main highway, Hwy 276, and no hiking is required to see this beautiful waterfall.

Pisgah National Forest is also home of the Cradle of Forestry in America. The facility is opened from 13 April, 2013 through 19 Oct. 2013. Forestry in the United States began at the Pisgah National Forest and George Vanderbilt, who built the Biltmore house and owned many, many, acres, was an initial promoter of forestry.