Bell Park provides a 69-acre tranquil escape on the edge of the Green River Gorge in southern Henderson County.
Conserving Carolina acquired the land in 2015 and worked with Henderson County to make it a public park in 2024 with lush forests, waterfalls and wildflowers, including beautiful rhododendrons and mountain laurel.
Bell Park is named in honor of summer camp pioneers Frank and Calla Bell, and continues their legacy by creating another place for people to connect with nature.
It extends from the High Bridge near Lake Summit and follows the banks of the Green River until it reaches the 14,000-acre Green River Game Lands.
Trail Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Activities: Running, walking, dog walking, peaceful time in nature
the National Park Service restored access to nearly 55 miles the Blue Ridge Parkway from:
Milepost 382.5 at US 70 near the Folk Art Center, to milepost 393.6, at NC Route 191 near the NC Arboretum, including the French Broad Overlook at milepost 393.8
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center is open
The Folk Art Center is open
Use extreme caution on trails as hazards may remain
Milepost 405.5 to 421, from US 276 to Black Balsam, including:
Graveyard Fields overlook and trailheads at milepost 418.8.
All trails & trails crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution).
Milepost 423.2 to 469, from NC 215 to US 441 in Cherokee, NC, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park entrance, including:
All trails & trails crossings in this corridor (use extreme caution).
Heintooga Spur Road to the Masonic marker.
Waterrock Knob Visitor Center and Park Store at milepost 451.2, which will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. until November 11, 2024.
The Blue Ridge Parkway follows the mountain ridges from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Parkway’s 469 toll-free miles combines natural beauty, mountain forests, wildlife, wildflowers and magnificent views. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville, a portion of the most famous drive in America weaves through Henderson County. The closest access to the Parkway from Downtown Hendersonville is near the North Carolina Arboretum, at BRP milepost 393.6.
Managed by the National Park Service. Be sure to check out the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, Folk Art Center and Southern Highland Craft Guild while driving the parkway through the Asheville area.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is known for:
Hiking
Mountain & Road Biking
Scenic Drives & Overlooks
Picnicking
Camping
Fishing
Berry picking
Waterfalls
Motorcycle rides
Breathtaking sunsets and sunrises
Open year-round (but often has seasonal closings due to weather or poor road conditions)
Carolina Nature Tours offers guided nature walks and day trips with a focus on birds and plants. Based in Hendersonville, outings primarily visit natural areas in Henderson County, including DuPont State Recreational Forest and Green River Game Lands, as well as many local parks. From 2-hour walks to full day tours, private as well as public group outings are offered and are appropriate for all ages and abilities.
Holmes Educational State Forest operates as a living classroom. The forest began as a nursery developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to supply landowners with white pine and yellow poplar seedlings.
Today, Holmes State Forest contains five miles of hiking trails. The popular Talking Trees Trail, an easy walking trail, features pedestals in front of a series of tree species. Visitors can push a button on the pedestal and listen to the trees “talk” about specific characteristics of that type of tree, the habitats where they are found and uses for their products.
The forest also includes an interactive museum, picnic tables, restrooms, equipment for fighting forest fires and displays depicting the ecology of a managed forest. A spacious picnic shelter (with grills) is also available. The forest is located about 8-1/2 miles from downtown Hendersonville.
Jackson Park is the largest municipal-owned park in Western North Carolina, covering 220 acres. Managed by Henderson County Parks & Recreation. Popular for birding, basketball courts, an accessible playground, athletic fields, disc golf, mountain biking skills park, walking paths and many picnic areas.
North Carolina Arboretum is a member of the University of North Carolina System and spans 434 acres. The Arboretum offers curated gardens, horticultural exhibits, education center, hiking, biking, indoor exhibits, educational events and nature trails are a few of the attractions available to the public. Located 15 miles north of Hendersonville.
The Oklawaha Greenway stretches 3.25 miles, connecting Jackson Park, Patton Park, Berkeley Park, Sullivan Park & William H. King Memorial Park. It is a relatively flat paved trail and is handicap accessible. The Greenway is a 10-foot-wide asphalt path for cyclists and pedestrians. Mileage signs have been installed every quarter of a mile along the trail to help trail users know how far they have traveled and how much farther it is to their destination. Benches, water fountains, and three bicycle FixIt Stations are available along the trail. Blue light phones have been installed along the greenway using grant money from the state Department of Transportation.
