Like wherever you live, there are probably great things to see and do close to home. We are lucky to have the Pisgah National Forest and Blue Ridge Parkway not far away. It’s one of our favorite places to go to relax, take in the scenery, hike or simply take a nice ride. Recently, looking for something we could do outdoors, following proper social distancing protocols, we did all these things and more!
State Route 276 heads out of Brevard, in Western North Carolina. It’s a great starting point because in addition to the Pisgah Forest, there is a lot and see and do in this little town about 40 minutes southeast of Asheville. We’ll talk more about Asheville and Brevard in another post.
Let’s start with a small bit of history. The Pisgah National Forest, established in 1916 is one of the first national forests in the eastern United States and encompasses 86,000 acres. All of this land once belonged to George Vanderbilt's, Biltmore Estate, with which you may be familiar.
As your drive into the forest, you will notice how the lush and thick trees create a sort of canopy effect over the road.
Trip Monkee Tip - Take a picnic lunch and stop at one of the many roadside picnic tables.
We’re going to tell you about a few things to see and do along the way as you traverse the mountain to the peak and hop on the infamous Blue Ridge Parkway.
If you like horseback riding, the Pisgah Forest Stables offer lots of options for beginners and the more experienced alike. They have a stable full of beautiful horses that will take you on a ride to places you can’t reach by car. It's family fun and the views and scenery are spectacular. www.pisgahstables.com
A little further up the road you’ll find Looking Glass Falls. This beautiful waterfall should not be missed and offers several platforms to snap a great photo. It's roadside so there is no hiking involved. For those that want to hike, we'll tell you about that in a moment.
Trip Monkee Tip - the lower deck offers a great view of the falls. Be warned - you may get a little wet!
If you’re looking to get in the water, go a couple miles further up the road to Sliding Rock. This is one of the area’s most popular attraction. And, it’s exactly as it sounds. The large river rocks in Looking Glass Creek have formed a perfect slide, 60 feet long for those wanting some adventure. We’ve done it many times and find it a nice way to cool off in the water which averages 55 degrees!
Trip Monkee Tip - Adults and kids alike love this place. There is a $4.00 per person entry fee.
A few miles past Sliding Rock, you’ll intersect with the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is an American gem. It spans 469 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina to Afton, Virginia. It’s two lanes are closed to commercial traffic and has a maximum speed limit of 45mph giving you plenty of time to take in the wonderful views. The Parkway meanders through the Appalachian Mountains and Shenandoah Valley and has plenty of places to pull over and take in the vistas.
We are truly lucky to have The BRP so close to us. One of our favorite local spots is “Graveyard Fields”. Don’t worry, it's not like it sounds. You’ll find it at Mile Post 418.8. There’s a fairly ample parking lot with one of the few overlooks with restroom facilities.
Just a short walk down the path, you’ll cross Yellowstone Prong Creek. It’s an easy hike and a great place to stop for photos. From there, you can hike to the upper or lower falls. Both are moderate hikes and offer great views along the way. We’ve been there during berry season which made for great snacking along the way.
After our hike, we drove south on The Parkway. Practically around each bend is an overlook offering a view, that if possible, is more beautiful than the previous. Wild flowers are abundant, which required a quick stop to grab a photo. As if on queue, a butterfly landed to enhance the shot.
Needless to say, there’s lots to do in and around the Pisgah National Forest. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a spectacular drive, even if we only drive it a few miles at at time. We see something new each time and still marvel at the views we've enjoyed many times.
When in the area, make time to slow down a bit and take a leisurely drive on The Blue Ridge Parkway through the Pisghah National Forest. We know you’ll be glad you did.
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