Recreation

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Cedar Rock Mountain

Cedar Rock Mountain

Corn Mills Shoals access area is in DuPont State Forest just past the Hooker Falls and High Falls Access Areas. Turn left at the end of Staton Road on Cascade Lake Road. The Corn Mills Shoals Access Area is 0.8 miles on the right. The hike starts at the parking lot.

Cedar Rock Mountain is a 4.5 mile loop hike in Dupont State Recreational Forest. It provides wonderful mountain views and dramatic scenery. Cedar Rock Mountain contains some of the most exposed granite in western North Carolina. The area is a local favorite with both hikers and mountain bikers.

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Triple Falls in Dupont 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.

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Hiking - Dupont State Forest

Hiking - Dupont State Forest

Hiking - Dupont State Forest

Brevard, NC  28712
Hours:  5:00a - 10:00p

Dupont State Forest is about 40 miles from Asheville.

Dupont State Recreational Forest covers an area of 10,400 acres and is located about half-way between Hendersonville and Brevard. Dupont State Forest has almost 90 miles of recreational trails traveling to waterfalls, pristine lakes, and other attractions such as a covered bridge over High Falls. Some of the best hiking and running trails are in Dupont State Forest.

Other areas for hiking are Pisgah Forest, Gorges State Park, Bent Creek, Mills River and Davidson River.

For more hiking trails in Western NC, see: http://www.hikewnc.info/besthikes/waterfalls/

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Mountain Biking
Dupont State Forest

The mountains of Western North Carolina provide some of the best mountain biking trails to be found anywhere in the United States.

Dupont State Forest with 10,400 acres offers mountain bikers nearly 90 miles of varied trails ranging from easy to challenging; from easy forest roads to exciting single track. Riders can enjoy the scenic views and waterfalls while biking on the trails.

The Brevard Bike Path is a easy, flat trail, nearly 5 miles long and begins at the Davidson River Campground.

Pisgah Forest, 3 miles from Brevard, NC, is another great area for biking. It spans 500,000 acres and is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails. Bent Creek Experimental Forest, about half-way between Brevard and Asheville is another popular area with great biking trails.

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Fishing off pier in Dupont State Park

The North Carolina Mountains streams are known for some of the best trout fishing. Serious fly fishers will like the smaller, lesser-known spots such as Pantertown Creek, Chattanooga River, Whitewater River, and Tanasee Creek.

Other areas for trout fishing are:

Davidson River East Fork of the French Broad River, West Fork of the French Broad River, North Fork of the French Broad River, West Fork of the Pigeon River, and Mills River.

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Horseback Riding
in Pisgah Forest

Horseback riding is a popular activity in the North Carolina mountains. There are many place to ride such as Dupont Forest and Pisgah Forest. Another location for riding is on Biltmore Estates.

What better way to enjoy the beautiful mountain trails and panoramic views of the mountains than horseback riding.

There are many stables where you can rent a horse -- or you can bring your own. You can also spend the day horseback riding with a guided tour group. Many local horse stables also provide riding instructions for the inexperienced rider.

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Looking Glass Falls
Pisgah Forest

Pisgah National Forest is located near Brevard, NC on Hwy 276. Pisgah National Forest is over 500,000 acres and is primarily a hardwood forest. 

Pisgah offers many recreational activites ranging from waterfall viewing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, wading, swimming and fishing. Note, however, that the water in the mountain streams is cold. At one location in the forest you will find a fish hachery for mountain trout.

The magnificient 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.

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Hiking - Pisgah Forest

Hiking - Pisgah Forest

Hiking - Pisgah Forest

Brevard, NC  28712
Hours:  5:00a - 10:00p

There are thousands of miles of hiking trails in NC waiting for you to explore. In Transylvania County you can choose from an astonishing number of spectacular trails in Pisgah National Forest.

The Pisgah National Forest covers over 500,000 acres of forest land across the central mountains of Western North Carolina.

There are hiking trails for all skill levels. For the hiking experts there are challenging, rugged trails with steep ascents and breathtaking views. There are also easy hiking trails for families with small children. Many trails lead to beautiful waterfalls and specticular mountain vista overlooks.

For more hikes in Western NC, see: http://www.hikewnc.info/besthikes/waterfalls/

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Kayaking on the Nantahala River at NOC

Whether you enjoy rafting, boating, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, or swimming -- Brevard is the place to be. You can go water sliding at Sliding Rock. You can go swimming at Hooker Falls, Lake Dense, and Fawn Lake in Dupont Forest. You can go tubing, canoeing, kayaking, or rafting down the French Board River or Davidson River.

As you can see, there are many rivers, streams, lakes, and waterways ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting near Brevard.

Follow the bends and turns of the free flowing French Broad River in a kayak or canoe and enjoy the perfect mountain views and abundant wildlife found along its banks. While floating along the river you can view some of the waterfalls in Transylvania County. For a more adventurous ride, there are also areas of the French Broad River for white water rafting.

A one hour, 41 mile trip, will take you to Lake Lure where you can go swimming, kayaking, canoeing or boating.

Ninety miles, and 2 hours, from Brevard is the Nantahala Outdoor Center, locally known as NOC. It is 14 miles West of Bryson City on Highway 74-W.

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Mountain Climbing
on Whiteside Mountain

Mountain Climbing

The mountains of Western North Carolina offer a wealth of climbing opportunities. Rock cliffs, outcroppings, and slopes are in abundance and each year many professional and amateur climbers visit our area to test their skills -- and risk their lives.

There is an abundance of places to climb including in Pisgah National Forest; including Cedar Rock and Looking Glass Rock. Pisgah National Forest has a multitude of amazing rock climbing areas and draws climbers from every level year round. One popular location is Whiteside Mountain near Cashiers.

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Carrier Park

Carrier Park

Carrier Park

220 Amboy Road
Asheville, NC  28806
(828) 259-5800

Hours:
Monday - Sunday 6:00a – 8:00p

Carrier Park offers volleyball courts, a giant playground, a roller-hockey rink, a basketball court, a multi-use track, a lawn bowling court, a paved trail, a multi-use sports field for baseball and soccer, a picnic pavilion, river overlooks, boat landing, a wetland interpretive and education area, and more trails.  Located on Amboy Rd. and Michigan Ave. in west Asheville.