The Dupont State Recreational Forest has 82 miles of recreational trails and roads that are open to hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Take Route 64 east through Brevard and then turn left when 64 turns towards Hendersonville for 3.7miles. Take a left onto Crab Creek Road for about 3 miles until you reach Staton Road which takes you to Hooker Falls, Tripple Falls and High Falls. Don't worry, there are signs once you get onto Crab Creek Road. It's about an hour drive from the house, but so very much worth the trip. At the bottom of Hooker Falls there is a great swimming hole and you'll see the local people climb up behind the falls. My grandkids and son-in-law have done it too and they say it is awesome. http://http:www.dupontforestservice.gov
Schoolhouse falls is along one of the trails at the Panthertown valley, which starts at the top of Cold Mountain road. A very easy trail, much of it is level and wide with many other trails to outlooks and other water falls. Take Route 64 to Route 281 and head north. In a couple of miles there is a Fire station to your right and a turn to your left. Make a left turn onto Cold Mountain Road and drive until it ends into a gravel path. From the house, head west on Silversteen and turn left onto 281. When you see the Fire station, make a right onto Cold Mountain Road and take it to the end. For additional hikes at Panthertown valley see my section on Hiking Trails.
Balsam Grove
This is the closest waterfall area to the house. There is a narrow place to park and then a path along the North Fork of the French Broad River. Several beautiful waterfalls can be seen along this path and at the end, just past the big cave, there is a small path under some Rhododendrons to a pebble beach and a magnificent rock wall. There is also a small sliding rock area that my grandkids love to slide on. So have your kids bring bathing suits in the summer.
To get there head east on Silversteen and make a left on Macedonia Church Road. Take Macedonia Church Road to Route 215. Make a left and head north for about 3 miles until you see a sign for "Living Waters". Turn around at the next road and come back just past this retreat outfit and park off the road. There is usually at least one car there and there are two narrow steep paths down to the path along the river. This is only 15 minutes from the house and it is well worth the trip.
Some people go trout fishing along this river too. My grandson actually saved a small trout who was stuck in one of the small water holes in the rocks, so we know they are there.
Some people go trout fishing along this river too. My grandson actually saved a small trout who was stuck in one of the small water holes in the rocks, so we know they are there.
Chimney Rock is well worth the trip. It is located 54 miles east of the house and it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get there. Just take Route 64 toward and then through Hendersonville and beyond. There will be signs once Route 64 runs into the road heading to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock. Allow enough time to stop somewhere for lunch, perhaps on the return through Hendersonville.
This is another great hike close to the house. I think this is called Rhapsodie Falls and it well worth the one hour hike to the lower and then ten more minutes to the upper water fall. The trail head is just 5 minutes from the house. Head west on Silversteen and turn north onto 281. In about a mile or so there is a sign for Trails Carolina. Make a left and there will be a dirt road off to your right. The trail head is at the end of this dirt road at the iron gate. There are trail markers and the trail is fairly easy to follow but it is a moderately difficult hike.
Mountain Fog
They don't call these mountains the Smokey Mountains for nothing. There are mornings when you wake up to this view. Don't stay inside, it'll burn off by midmorning. Besides it is fascinating to see the Blue Ridge parkway lookouts when the air is clear at that elevation and the mountains and valleys are peppered with fog.
They don't call these mountains the Smokey Mountains for nothing. There are mornings when you wake up to this view. Don't stay inside, it'll burn off by midmorning. Besides it is fascinating to see the Blue Ridge parkway lookouts when the air is clear at that elevation and the mountains and valleys are peppered with fog.
Head to Bryson City and take the train to the Nantahala River Valley. Its an old fashioned train and they offer package tours for rafting or zip lining, or just stop for lunch and then go back. The trip takes one hour and 40 minutes to Bryson City or two hours to get to the river. It is one of our favorite destinations and we make a day of it. The town of Cherokee is along the way and it is a fun stop too.
Other Places to Go listed in order of closest to farthest:
PARI Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, Macedonia Church Road, Balsam Grove, 828-877=2172 http://pari.edu (3miles)
Cradle of Forestry, Hwy 276, Brevard, NC (first school of Forestry) 828-877-3130 (25 miles)
Air Museum of WNC, 1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville, NC 828-698-2482 (45 miles)
Asheville Grayline Trolley Tours, 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 828-251-8687 (50 miles)
Burntshirt Vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-685-2402 (50 miles)
Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge Street, Asheville NC 28803 1-800411-3812 (50 miles)http://biltmore.com
Cataloochee Valley Tours, Waynesville NC 828-450-7985 (2hrs)
Carl Sandburg Home, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock NC 28731 828-693-4178 (2hrs)
Great Smokey Mt. Railroad, 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, 28713 828-872-4681(2hrs)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Hwy 441 & Drama Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 828-497-3481(2hrs)http://cherokeemuseum.org
Linville Caverns, 19929 US 221 North, Linville, NC 28752 828-756-4171(3hrs)http://linvillecaverns.com
Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28648 1-800-468-7325 (150miles)http://grandfather.com
PARI Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, Macedonia Church Road, Balsam Grove, 828-877=2172 http://pari.edu (3miles)
Cradle of Forestry, Hwy 276, Brevard, NC (first school of Forestry) 828-877-3130 (25 miles)
Air Museum of WNC, 1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville, NC 828-698-2482 (45 miles)
Asheville Grayline Trolley Tours, 36 Montford Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 828-251-8687 (50 miles)
Burntshirt Vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792 828-685-2402 (50 miles)
Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge Street, Asheville NC 28803 1-800411-3812 (50 miles)http://biltmore.com
Cataloochee Valley Tours, Waynesville NC 828-450-7985 (2hrs)
Carl Sandburg Home, 81 Carl Sandburg Lane, Flat Rock NC 28731 828-693-4178 (2hrs)
Great Smokey Mt. Railroad, 226 Everett Street, Bryson City, 28713 828-872-4681(2hrs)
Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Hwy 441 & Drama Road, Cherokee, NC 28719 828-497-3481(2hrs)http://cherokeemuseum.org
Linville Caverns, 19929 US 221 North, Linville, NC 28752 828-756-4171(3hrs)http://linvillecaverns.com
Grandfather Mountain, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28648 1-800-468-7325 (150miles)http://grandfather.com