Pisgah National Forest Field Trip

August 18, 2013
Written by:
Guest Author
Summer and Travel

asheville with kids waterfall

 

{{This article is part of our Asheville With Kids series.}}

DuPont State Forest/ Pisgah National Forest

An easy 45-minute drive south of Asheville into the Brevard, NC area will reward you with breathtaking waterfalls and surreal scenic drives.  First, head to DuPont State Forest to see Hooker Falls and Triple Falls.  Both are short hikes from the same parking lot and feature the forest made famous by the movie Hunger Games.

A walk back up the hill and a short hike up an adjoining path provides a spectacular view of Triple Falls.  There is not a way (that we found) to get down into Triple Falls, but the view is worth the hike.  If you have smaller kiddos (or you are exhausted from your Hooker Falls adventure), then take the hike up only about half way.  There is a clearing in the trees, complete with a bench for resting, that makes great photos with your crew.

Drive less than 30 minutes to Pisgah National Forest for more water fun.  You will pass through Brevard on your way; this is the ideal place to grab a bite to eat.  Pisgah is huge – 500,000 acres! There is plenty to do including biking, scenic driving, camping and horseback riding, fishing and more.  But most visitors, and a fair share of locals, find themselves at Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock.

Coming from Brevard, Looking Glass Falls is a must-stop on your way to Sliding Rock.  It is a gorgeous waterfall visible from the highway, making it one of the most photographed waterfalls in the east.  There is ample parking to jump out and take a picture; the adventurous will brave the stairs to the bottom and take a swim in the freezing waters.  The water temperature in this area, in summer, hovers in the 50s, which doesn’t seem to detract the frolickers.  Back in the car, head a few miles up the road to Sliding Rock.  There is a small admission fee (cash please), which presumably covers the cost for the seasonal lifeguards on duty in this recreation area.  Take a plunge down the 50-foot natural water slide into an eight-foot pool of icy water.  There is usually a crowd, but the line moves fast and the wait is short.

DuPont Parks

 

Disclosure: Thank you to the city of Asheville for assisting us on our family adventure. Thank you, also, to Asheville Treetops Park, Biltmore, Tupelo Honey Café and Doubletree Hotel for their complementary contributions to our Asheville adventure.   While we appreciate their kindness, it never deters us from reporting our honest opinion. Find Lesli on Google+.

#HOMESCHOOLING, #TRAVEL