Things To Do
National Parks & Forests
We added this page in response to the following guest feedback, “You are so close to the Smoky Mountains and an easy drive, that I recommend to also add some info about it as well including a link to the national park site for hiking, horseback riding, more waterfalls, etc as well as info on the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway drive for those that want to explore. We found your location an easy drive to the national park and a clear winner as a mid-point between all types of things to do.”
This map provides a great visual of the area’s national parks and forests with points of interest highlighted for Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in particular.
Noted for being the main filming location for the Hunger Games, the DuPont State Forest is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Hendersonville and Brevard, North Carolina. Its 10,400 acres of forest feature four major waterfalls on the Little River and several on the Grassy Creek. For key attractions and additional information, visit the…
This is America’s most visited National Park unit and there’s plenty to see and do, including hiking, picnicking, waterfalls and scenic overlooks. Its 469 miles connect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Check out the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Travel Planner for places to…
Established in 1916, PNF was one of the first national forests in the eastern United States. With elevations reaching over 6,000 feet, it also has some of the highest mountains in the eastern United States. The Forest offers hiking trails, fishing, camping, picnic sites, and spectacular waterfalls. Some of PNF’s attractions include Looking Glass Falls,…
Adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains, NNF was established in 1920 and is the largest of NC’s national forests with a half-million acres of pristine woodlands, spectacular waterfalls and over 600 + miles of trails. Nantahala is a Cherokee word meaning “Land of the Noonday Sun”. The forest’s highest point is the Appalachian summit of…
Established in 1934, this park has endless ridges of forest that border North Carolina and Tennessee. World renowned for the diversity of its plant and animal life and the beauty of its mountains, it is not surprisingly the most visited national park in the U.S. With over 800 miles of maintained trails, nearly 80 historic…