Pisgah Visitor Center

FAQs

Planning Your Visit

  • Designated Campgrounds – Davidson River, North Mills River, Lake Powhatan, Sunburst (first come/first served), Wolf Ford Horse Camp (Reservation only), cove Creek Group Camp, Wash Creek Group Horse Camp, and Kykundall Group Camp. Visit Recreation.Gov or call 877.444.6777 to make a reservation.
  • Backcountry Dispersed Camping – 1000 feet from roads and trailheads. do not block roads or gates when parking vehicles. Practice Leave No Trace Principles. Pack it in, pack it out!
  • Designated Roadside Campsites – Camp at only designated sites marked with a brown tent sign and campsite number (AC-1 = Avery Creek Site 1). See Roadside Camping Map & Rules for locations and information. Overnight camping is not allowed at the Pisgah Visitor Center, either on-site or in a vehicle.
  • Overnight parking is allowed at the Pisgah Visitor Center, but visitors should follow a few best practices.Please park in the overflow parking area closer to the Black Mountain Trailhead rather than the primary parking lot in front of the Ranger Station.Leave a folded piece of paper on your dashboard with your name, intended destination, expected length of your trip, and phone number. This folded note serves as a signal to Law Enforcement Officers that the vehicle belongs to someone who is backpacking and will return for it. You may label the outside of the paper “Trip Details” while keeping any personal information folded safely inside so it is not visible from outside the vehicle.Before heading out, visitors should also lock their vehicles and remove or hide any valuables to help prevent theft or break-ins while you are away.

    Overnight camping is not allowed at the Pisgah Visitor Center, either outside or inside a vehicle. Vehicle camping is permitted only in developed campgrounds or designated, signed roadside campsites.

Yes. Designated accessible parking is available near the front of the Visitor Center. The parking area includes accessible parking spaces, including a van-accessible space.

Dogs are welcome at the Visitor Center as long as they are leashed, well-behaved, and under control. Please clean up after your pet! 

Yes. Restrooms are available on the porch right in front of the doors to the Visitor Center during operating hours. Accessible stalls are available within the restrooms.

There is a water fountain available on-site. Visitors are still encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle, especially during warm weather or if they plan to walk the trails.

Yes. The Gift Shop is located inside the Visitor Center and offers a variety of items for visitors to browse before or after exploring Pisgah National Forest. Guests can find locally made and handcrafted goods, books, educational items, nature-themed products, grab-and-go snacks, and keepsakes related to the Cradle of Forestry, Pisgah National Forest, and the surrounding region. 

On-site Trails, Accessibility, and Visitor Comfort

The only trail that is on-site is Andy’s Cove, a fun, interactive 0.6-mile nature trail. 

Service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable law. Service animals must remain under control while on site.

Comfortable walking shoes, water, weather-appropriate layers, sunscreen or rain gear, a camera or phone, and saved directions or trail information are recommended. If visiting with a dog, bring a leash and waste bags.

Cell service can be limited in parts of Pisgah National Forest. Visitors should save directions, maps, and important visitor information before entering the forest.

Drone Rules

Drone rules can vary across National Forest System lands, so visitors interested in flying nearby should review current U.S. Forest Service and FAA guidance before planning a flight. Commercial, paid, sponsored, or promotional drone use may require additional authorization.

Nearby Travel and Planning

Yes. The Pisgah Visitor Center is located about 15 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 412. Visitors planning to continue onto the Parkway should check current road conditions before they go.

Yes. Several popular waterfall stops are located nearby, including Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Sliding Rock, and waterfalls at Graveyard Fields. Visitors should plan ahead, use caution around wet rocks and moving water, and park only in designated areas.

Camping is available at several nearby public campgrounds in Pisgah National Forest and at seasonal campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including the Mount Pisgah area. These campgrounds are not operated by the Cradle of Forestry, and camping is not available on site at the Cradle. Visitors should check current availability, reservations, fees, rules, and seasonal operating dates directly with the campground or managing agency before making plans.

Visitors who prefer indoor accommodations can look for lodging in nearby communities such as Brevard, Pisgah Forest, Mills River, Hendersonville, or Asheville. These lodging options are not operated by FIND Outdoors, and availability, pricing, amenities, and policies vary by provider.

Still Have Questions?

Visitors can contact the Cradle of Forestry directly for current hours, accessibility questions, program information, and other planning details at 828.877.3130 or check our official FIND Outdoors Cradle page for current information.