Tucked into the western corner of North Carolina is a place that almost defies description: lofty mountains, deep gorges, and an almost endless supply of moving water. The result is a collection of waterfalls unrivaled in any other part of North America. In all, the Brevard area is home to over 250 cascades of every imaginable size, shape, and degree of jaw-dropping beauty.
Better yet, these waterfalls populate over 100,000 acres of public lands that are not just prime for waterfall hunting, but for every other conceivable outdoor adventure as well – hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, paddling, fly fishing, and canyoneering – just to name a few.
At the center of it all is the town of Brevard, named one of the “coolest small towns in America” by Budget Travel. How else would you explain a craft beer culture that supports five independent breweries, a live music scene embracing everything from bluegrass jams to Beethoven symphonies under the stars, and a colony of craftspeople and artists whose work is celebrated in galleries around the world?
An Unrivaled Adventure Destination
Between Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park, and Headwaters State Forest, more than 50% of Transylvania County’s landmass is public land. For our visitors, that means unrivaled access to world-class, single-track mountain bike trails, hundreds of miles of hiking and equestrian trails, prime trout fishing waters on one of America’s top 100 trout fishing rivers (the Davidson), and paddling opportunities on the 3rd oldest river in the world, the French Broad.
Even if you are not a hard-core outdoor adventurist, the opportunities for deep woods recreation are abundant. Sliding Rock, located in Pisgah National Forest, has delighted families for decades with its 80-foot, smooth granite slide into a natural, cold plunge pool. Nearby, the 6,500-acre Cradle of Forestry offers interpretive nature trails, a fascinating forestry museum, historic cabins, and a 1914 Climax logging train. And practically everywhere you turn, you’ll find waterfalls. In Gorges State Park, discover beautiful Rainbow Falls – and be sure to take in the park’s informative and engaging Visitor Center. Or venture into DuPont State Recreational Forest and experience the enduring wonder of Triple and High Falls.
The Perfect Recipe: Art, Culture, and Great Food
You can work up an appetite and a thirst exploring the great outdoors. Thankfully, Brevard and Transylvania County offer lots of flavorful options. Brevard boasts five stellar craft brewers along with a wide assortment of tap rooms, cafés, pubs, and restaurants where you can sample an array of one-of-a-kind drafts along with genuine North Carolina bar-b-que, piled-high burgers, and super-stuffed burritos. On the fancy side, there’s destination dining at our legendary inns and restaurants. Enjoy Carolina Mountain trout at a window table overlooking a lake. Or try a braised pork bourguignon in an al fresco setting in downtown Brevard. You’ll also find a wonderful constellation of dining choices in our charming smaller communities like Lake Toxaway and Cedar Mountain.
The soundtrack to your Brevard adventure is provided by a live music scene that is as dynamic and varied as you’ll find in any big city. The difference is an intimacy that puts you right in the middle of the music – whether it’s being performed on the street, around a fire pit at a local cantina, on a mini-stage in a local brewery, or lakeside in the open-air Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at Brevard Music Center.
To learn more about our unforgettable mountain town, go to ExploreBrevard.com and start mapping your next great adventure.