Wild water rafting has become one of our favorite activities. It is two hours away, but we don't mind the drive. http://wildwater.info
Whether you like to fly fish in the nearby trout streams, fish for sunfish in the surrounding lakes, or stop at the Trout Fishing Pond ( http://[email protected] 828-553-2217 located 20 minutes west on Route 64. Tell Alfred that Rita sent you.) there are lots of options. The Trading post at the corner of Silversteen and Route 64 sells bait, fishing licenses and even offers guided trout fishing. The stream along Silversteen Road is a local favorite for fly fishing. And the locals tell me if you turn over the rocks along the streams, you can even catch some good sized crawdads.
Lake Toxaway is just 15 minutes away and the marina there will rent paddle boards, boats, canoes and kayaks to our guests in the summer and fall. We can arrange that with some prior notice. (see rates below) The water is crystal clear. This is a private lake, so boat traffic is minimal, except on weekends in the summer, when the water skiers and fun tube boaters are out in full force. Some folks have a bit of luck with large mouth bass, but all we ever catch are good sized blue gill.
2014 Rental Rates at Lake Toxaway
Rates +Fuel+Tax Boats 18-24 feet, Deck or Pontoon Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard Ski's/ Tubes + Vest
1 hour $ 155 $55 $35
3 hours 310 75 45
9 hour day 450 95 55
Rentals must be paid in full before the boat leaves the dock. A security deposit of $150 for boat rentals. No cancellations or rain checks. A cleaning charge of $95 will be applied if the boat is returned with food & fishing debris or pet shedding. Anyone younger than 26 operating a vessel must have completed the approved boating safety course prior to renting.http://http.www.ncwildlife.org
Rates +Fuel+Tax Boats 18-24 feet, Deck or Pontoon Canoe/Kayak/Paddleboard Ski's/ Tubes + Vest
1 hour $ 155 $55 $35
3 hours 310 75 45
9 hour day 450 95 55
Rentals must be paid in full before the boat leaves the dock. A security deposit of $150 for boat rentals. No cancellations or rain checks. A cleaning charge of $95 will be applied if the boat is returned with food & fishing debris or pet shedding. Anyone younger than 26 operating a vessel must have completed the approved boating safety course prior to renting.http://http.www.ncwildlife.org
Whether it is the small sliding rock in Balsam Grove or the official one on Route 276, the kids love them despite the very cold water. For the official sliding rock above, just take Route 64 through Brevard and take Route 276 north into the Pisgah National forest. You'll pass an ice cream shop that is a must stop. You'll see it always has a crowd there in the summer. There is also a place where you can rent tubes for tubing on the river. Anyway, drive past Looking Glass Falls, a great place to stop for pictures, until you get to the sliding rock park on the left.. There is a minor entrance fee. Bring towels and a change of clothes.
There are many places to rent tubes or go on organized tube rides. Bear Tracks Trading Co. at the corner of Silversteen and Route 64 (http://beartrackstradingco.com or call 828-8628992) is just 15 minutes away and they offer Tube rides, Gem mining, fishing supplies or guides. You can drive another 5 minutes toward Brevard to the Outfitters Center. They not only organize tubing, they also have paddling and zip lining adventures. ( http://www.Z-Z-Zip.com or call 828-855-7913) Another outfit close by is the Earthshine Mountain Lodge (http://earthshinemtnlodge.com or call 828-862-4207). They also offer zip lining, a rope course and a climbing wall. You'll see their sign when you drive up Silversteen Road from Route 64. You'll need to call them for reservations.
Another close lake for swimming is Wolf Lake. It is a public lake with a boat ramp just passed the dam. Just take Silversteen west and turn onto Route 281. It is a pretty 20 minute or so drive until you get to the dam. Take some pictures then turn around and look for Owens road to your left just past the dam. It is a dirt road that 5 minutes later ends at a cemetary. There is a path just before the cemetary that leads to the beach, which is large or small, depending on the lake level, which fluctuates.
Gem mining
No matter how many times the grandkids come to visit, the first request is always, "when can we go gem mining?" There are many places close by to do that. Some offer only rough stones, many offer mixes of polished stones and rough ones. Here are the places we've been. Trading Post - 15 minutes away at Silversteen and Route 64. Gem Mine - 15 minutes west. on Route 64 just past the Lake Toxaway Waterfall. The Log Cabin 25 minutes away on 281 South in Saphire. Whitewater Stables 35 minutes away on Route 281 South past Sapphire. They all charge about the same and all seem to know their gems.
No matter how many times the grandkids come to visit, the first request is always, "when can we go gem mining?" There are many places close by to do that. Some offer only rough stones, many offer mixes of polished stones and rough ones. Here are the places we've been. Trading Post - 15 minutes away at Silversteen and Route 64. Gem Mine - 15 minutes west. on Route 64 just past the Lake Toxaway Waterfall. The Log Cabin 25 minutes away on 281 South in Saphire. Whitewater Stables 35 minutes away on Route 281 South past Sapphire. They all charge about the same and all seem to know their gems.
We love to bike and often bike the loop, Silversteen-Macedonia Church Road-Kitchen Loop-Silversteen. Both our daughter and son-in-law are serious bikers and they rent their bikes from one of the bike shops in Brevard/Pisgah Forest. There are two bike shops on the corner of Route 276 and Route 64. http://www.backcountryoutdoors.com Backcountry Outdoors offers rentals and trail information and sells gear. Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventures http://[email protected] is the other one. For Bike trails and map click on http://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/brevard-bike and register. It is free and will tell you about routes in the area.
Another favorite activity is horseback riding. There are three outfits we have tried. Pisgah Forest Riding stables (828-883-8258) is located off Route 276 on 476 Pisgah Dr., Brevard, just past the Ranger Station and it is a great activity to combine with the Sliding Rock swim and slide or River Rafting. White Water Equestrian Center (828-966-9646)http://funhorsebackriding.com is on Route 281 south of Sapphire. It is the most expensive, but also the most informative about local lore and plants. They also have a Gem Mine with polished stones only. This is a nice trip to combine with either a Gorges State park hike or a nice walk to White Waterfall and the state park just south of the Equestrian center. The least expensive place we found was Shoal Creek Farm in Dupont State Recreational Forest http://shoalcreeknc.com/trailrides. This is a great one to combine with some hiking to three beautiful water falls. Ask them about the filming of the "Hunger Games" and they'll tell you all about the burning tree and some other interesting stuff. By the way, there also is a unofficial Hunger Games Day Tour that we have been meaning to take http://hungergamesunofficialfantours.com
Looking Glass Falls along Route 276 is one of many Spectacular Waterfalls that require no walking. For a great guide to waterfalls, and other activities in our area take a look at the Travel Planner and Waterfall Map "LAND OF THE WATERFALLS" published by Transylvania County (http://visitwaterfalls.com) that is in your welcome folder at the house. It lists a lot more information and provides a map of the area with the water fall locations and directions. For hiking, the Pisgah National Forest can't be beat. Free guided hikes meet at the Amore Cafe on Route 64 on the right, just passed Lake Toxaway Falls, every friday May through October at 8:30 am. http://ToxawayTony.com Call him at 828-421-7895 to confirm the time and location. For more hikes, see my section on hiking trails.
Other Things to Do Listed by closest to farthest:
Brevard has lots of wonderful shops featuring local artists. There is a Toy Store that puts most others to shame. An old fashioned lunch counter is fun to eat at. Gift shops are abundant. Antique shops are abundant. There is even a Farmer's market every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 AM till noon through Dec. 31. A visit to town is a must. (15 miles)
Music and Theater:
In the summer, the Brevard Music Center center offers performances June through August that are world class. (http://httpBrevardMusic.org or call 828-862-2100)
The Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock puts on some great plays. 828-693-0731http://http:flatrockplayhouse.org
There is a Theater Company in Asheville that puts on musicals and plays as well
Public Golf Courses:
Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Hwy 276 South, Brevard, NC 28712 828-884-7825 http://sherwoodforestncgolf.com
Connestee Falls Golf Club, 98 Overlook Clubhouse Drive, Brevard. NC 287712, 828-885-2005 http://connesteefallsgolf.com
Glenn Cannon Country Club, 337 Glenn Cannon Dr. Pisgah Forest 28768 828-883-8175 http://glencannoncc.com
High Vista Country, 88 Country Club Rd, Mills River 28759 828-891-1986 Http://highvistagolf.com Etowah Valley Golf Club, 470 Brickyard Rd. Etowah NC 28729 828-451-8174 http://Etowahvalley.com
Skiing/Snow Tubing:
Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 4350 Highway 64, Sapphire NC 28774 828-743-7663 http://skisapphirevalley.com
Moonshine Mt. Snow Tubing, 5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC 28738 828-696-0333 http://moonshinemountain.com
Catalooche Ski Area, 1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 828-768-0285 http://cataloochee.com
Wine/Beer Tours:
Brevard Brewing Co. , 63 East Main Street, Brevard NC 828-885-2101 http://brevard-brewing.com
Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Dr. Brevard 828-883-2337 http://oskarblues.com
Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St. Ste100, Hendersonville 828-684-1235 http://sabrewery.com
Wine Tasting at the Builtmore Mansion. For winery tour suggestions http://ncwine.org/wineries
Movie Theaters:
Coed Theater, 101 W. Main Street, Brevard 828-883-2200
Epic Theater, 200 Thompson Street, Hendersonville 828-693-1146
Carolina Cinemas, 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-9500
Brevard has lots of wonderful shops featuring local artists. There is a Toy Store that puts most others to shame. An old fashioned lunch counter is fun to eat at. Gift shops are abundant. Antique shops are abundant. There is even a Farmer's market every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 AM till noon through Dec. 31. A visit to town is a must. (15 miles)
Music and Theater:
In the summer, the Brevard Music Center center offers performances June through August that are world class. (http://httpBrevardMusic.org or call 828-862-2100)
The Flat Rock Playhouse in Flat Rock puts on some great plays. 828-693-0731http://http:flatrockplayhouse.org
There is a Theater Company in Asheville that puts on musicals and plays as well
Public Golf Courses:
Sherwood Forest Golf Club, Hwy 276 South, Brevard, NC 28712 828-884-7825 http://sherwoodforestncgolf.com
Connestee Falls Golf Club, 98 Overlook Clubhouse Drive, Brevard. NC 287712, 828-885-2005 http://connesteefallsgolf.com
Glenn Cannon Country Club, 337 Glenn Cannon Dr. Pisgah Forest 28768 828-883-8175 http://glencannoncc.com
High Vista Country, 88 Country Club Rd, Mills River 28759 828-891-1986 Http://highvistagolf.com Etowah Valley Golf Club, 470 Brickyard Rd. Etowah NC 28729 828-451-8174 http://Etowahvalley.com
Skiing/Snow Tubing:
Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 4350 Highway 64, Sapphire NC 28774 828-743-7663 http://skisapphirevalley.com
Moonshine Mt. Snow Tubing, 5865 Willow Road, Hendersonville, NC 28738 828-696-0333 http://moonshinemountain.com
Catalooche Ski Area, 1080 Ski Lodge Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751 828-768-0285 http://cataloochee.com
Wine/Beer Tours:
Brevard Brewing Co. , 63 East Main Street, Brevard NC 828-885-2101 http://brevard-brewing.com
Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Dr. Brevard 828-883-2337 http://oskarblues.com
Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust St. Ste100, Hendersonville 828-684-1235 http://sabrewery.com
Wine Tasting at the Builtmore Mansion. For winery tour suggestions http://ncwine.org/wineries
Movie Theaters:
Coed Theater, 101 W. Main Street, Brevard 828-883-2200
Epic Theater, 200 Thompson Street, Hendersonville 828-693-1146
Carolina Cinemas, 1640 Hendersonville Road, Asheville 828-274-9500