Top 10 Things to do in Brevard, North Carolina
Written and Photographed by Carrie Hanrahan
Where else in the world can you find white squirrels, talking trees, orchestral music, hiking trails and mountain biking all in one place? In a magical land in Western North Carolina lies the quaint town of Brevard. Set within the lush forests surrounding the area, it’s known as the “Land of Waterfalls” for a good reason—there are more than 250 waterfalls in Transylvania County. With so much to do, let’s explore this eclectic, artsy, outdoor adventure town.
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10. Holmes Educational State Forest—A fun exploration lies about 20 minutes outside of Brevard at the Holmes Educational State Forest. Here, you’ll learn about forest safety and walk a trail to view equipment used to fight forest fires. Walk the Talking Tree Trail and stop at the “talking boxes” to learn about different species of trees. With six educational trails and a picnic and play area, this dog-friendly forest is a great place to spend a few hours.
9. White Squirrels—The town’s unofficial mascot is a mysterious white squirrel. They appear to have arrived in Brevard on a carnival truck that they escaped from when it overturned in 1949. Over the years, the squirrels have multiplied and become part of the area’s landscape. Brevard declared itself a squirrel sanctuary in 1986, and they celebrate every year with the White Squirrel Weekend festival. You can try to spot one of these elusive creatures throughout town, including on the Brevard College campus, Franklin Park and Silvermont Mansion grounds.
8. Downtown Shops and Restaurants—Downtown Brevard has quaint shops, restaurants and galleries. Stop by the visitor center first to pick up maps and all the information you’ll need for your visit. Continue to the Main Street area to grab lunch, stop by DD Bullwinkel’s Outdoors for your adventure gear and then move on to Number 7 Arts to purchase some stunning artwork before finally stopping at the old-fashioned toy store O.P. Taylor’s to relive your childhood dreams.
7. Art Loeb Trailhead—Luckily, one of the most popular trails in the state starts near the Davidson River Campground just outside of Brevard. The 30.1-mile trail can be difficult, traversing peaks and ridges, but it offers extraordinary views. Because the trail is so long, it’s divided into four sections, and you can find the perfect hike that best fits your abilities. The opportunity to take shorter and extended overnight camping hikes makes this an ideal trail for the outdoor adventure enthusiast.
6. Brevard Bike Trail and Breweries—The city bike trail is a fun way to get outside and explore the Brevard area. If you’re camping at the Davidson River Campground, hop on the 4.82-mile trail from your campsite. You’ll pedal on a gravel trail through the beautiful Pisgah Forest along the Davidson River before crossing the highway to continue onto a paved path. Stop at Ecusta Brewing, which lies right along the trail, for a pint of their locally brewed beer. Continuing, you’ll pass through the town’s outdoor recreation area. Then, if you take a left on the railroad tracks, you can head to the Oskar Blues Brewery to enjoy one of their well-known brews and some outdoor music before returning to your campsite.
5. Mountain Biking—With more than 200 miles of singletrack mountain biking trails surrounding Brevard, the area has become a haven for mountain bike enthusiasts. The two most popular areas with miles of trails are the Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. The more complex and strenuous trails lie in the Pisgah National Forest, while the fun, more accessible trails are found in the DuPont State Recreational Forest. If you’re an advanced rider, you may find it challenging to choose your favorite, but if you’re a novice, you can rent a bike and hire a guide to show you the best places to ride.
4. Fly Fishing—One of the most popular activities in the Brevard area is fly fishing. Almost any time of year, you’ll see anglers fishing the 500-plus miles of rivers surrounding Brevard. Even if you’ve never fished before, there are plenty of outfitters to choose from to take you on a day’s adventure and teach you the ins and outs of fly fishing. For the experienced angler, Transylvania County has one of the largest concentrations of highly rated trout waters anywhere in the United States, making it the perfect fishing destination.
3. Take in the Music—Outdoor adventure isn’t the only reason Brevard is famous. This quaint town is also known for its live musical performances. You’ll find stunning classical concerts by the Brevard Philharmonic, incredible performances at the beautiful Brevard Music Center and live music at venues all over town. There’s no shortage of musical entertainment to be found by both local and professional groups. Have you heard of Steve Martin? The famous comedian is also a musician and has collaborated with the Brevard-based Steep Canyon Rangers, although he doesn’t play with them as often anymore. You never know when he will, so get out and find some music in Brevard.
2. DuPont State Recreational Forest—A quick 15-minute drive outside Brevard brings you to the incredible DuPont State Recreational Forest. Although this area can be bustling on weekends, it’s worth the crowds to spend a day in such a stunning area. The forest boasts six waterfalls, several lakes and 74 trails open to hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. You’ll view three waterfalls and a rustic-covered bridge on one trail alone. Plan to spend an entire day or more to cover everything there is to do within its 12,400 acres.
1. Waterfalls—The “Land of Waterfalls” is home to more than 250 waterfalls. Within a short distance of Brevard are some of the most beautiful, easy-to-access and Hollywood-worthy waterfalls you’ll ever see. Driving through the Pisgah Forest, you’ll be stunned to see the incredible cascade of Looking Glass Falls along the road. You can park and take in the view from an overlook or walk the stairs down and experience the rush of the water from below. A little farther down the road is the Sliding Rock Recreation Area. If you’re brave enough, you can slide down a waterfall and land in the pool below. Next, head over to DuPont State Recreational Forest to see the incredible scenery at Triple Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which they used as backdrops in the Hunger Games movies. With so many more falls in the area, grab a waterfall map and plan out your day of exploration.
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Gettysburg Visitor Center - Photo Credit NPS