**As of 11/1/24, only part of Bill Moore Park is open due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
NEW HOURS:
8am-6pm daily
OPEN AREAS:
Playground
Restrooms
Large dog park
Steelcase Shelter (no rentals available)
Disc Golf Course
All trails within the main portion of the park
Bill Moore Community Park is recognized as one of the best family parks in Western North Carolina. Park patrons have access to miles of scenic walking trails, Cane Creek, and countless other amenities. Our park impacts the quality of life by contributing to the social, economic, health and environmental well-being of our community. Check out the trails, athletic fields, playground, and picnic area!
Biltmore is the largest privately-owned home in America situated on 8,000 acres. It was built by George Vanderbilt and was completed in 1895. Vanderbilt’s 250-room mansion is modeled after a French château. The Estate encompasses the house, landscaped gardens, walking trails, woodlands, restaurants, shops, inn, and an award-winning winery. Located 22 miles north of Hendersonville.
Reservations required to tour the house.
Outdoor Adventure Center – hiking, biking carriage rides, horse back riding, fly-fishing, river floats, sporting clays and more.
Aiden Bloomfield, an experienced fly fisherman since childhood, offers guided wading trips through some of Western North Carolina’s most scenic rivers and streams. With a focus on teaching essential fly fishing and casting techniques, clients are equipped with the skills needed to fish confidently on their own. Each trip includes all necessary gear and meals, ensuring a complete and enjoyable experience in nature’s beauty.
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)
Crab Creek Catfish Pond is a great place for people of all ages to enjoy fishing for catfish. The pond is stocked with 5 different species of catfish, so you have a great chance at catching a huge fish!
The Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500-acre Historic Site within the Pisgah National Forest, set aside by Congress to commemorate the beginning of forestry conservation in the United States. Outdoor activities include two guided trails, which lead back in time to seven historical buildings, including a 1915 Climax locomotive and an old sawmill.
The Forest Discovery Center features a fire fighting helicopter simulator, hands-on exhibits, a 26-minute movie ” First in Forest: Carl Schenck and the Biltmore Forest School,” children’s games and more.
Danny Jones is a 4th generation apple farmer and county native. Two ponds open up to the public for rainbow trout and catfish fishing while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. Sells fishing experiences, cleaning/filleting, bait, rod & reel rentals, snacks and drinks. Offers 2 different ponds
Davidson River Campground is nestled just inside the Pisgah National Forest and only 3 miles away from the beautiful town of Brevard, NC. The campground runs along Davidson River, a great place for fishing, tubing, and swimming, and is considered one of the premier trout fishing spots in the southeast.
Western North Carolina’s premier fly shop and fishing guide service! Located on the banks of the Davidson River in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, we are within an easy drive of Lake Toxaway, Cashiers, Hendersonville, Asheville, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
Offers guided fishing trips
Store offers a wide range of fly fishing gear, fly tying materials, clothing, and more
DB Bar D Outfitters is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and protecting our natural resources so that future generations may continue to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting large game, fishing the pristine waters of our area, or just a weekend campout with family and friends, DB bar D can guide you on a customized outdoor experience!
Services Offered:
Guided and semi-guided hunting, fishing, and other outdoor experiences in Mills River, North Carolina, and the South Carolina low country
Half-day or full-day fly fishing trips on private waters; catch and release with single hook flies only – rainbow trout, brown trout, and brookies
Hunting opportunities include deer, bear, turkey, dove, and quail.
All equipment and licenses can be provided.
Friendly guides are available to assist with you learning or improving your skills.
DuPont State Recreational Forest encompasses more than 10,000 acres that span across both Henderson and Transylvania counties. This treasured state forest is one of the region’s most popular destinations for its breathtaking waterfalls, and 80 miles of roads and trails. It is open year-round. Hooker Falls on Little River has become a popular swimming hole, dropping off a 13-foot high natural ledge before flowing into Cascade Lake. Fawn Lake is another popular place to take a dip. Neither location has a lifeguard on duty, swim at your own risk.
Many scenes from the 2012 hit movie, The Hunger Games and the 1992 film, The Last of the Mohicans were shot in DuPont State Recreational Forest. The Hunger Games were filmed entirely in North Carolina.
Accessible a little more than an hour’s drive from Hendersonville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) covers seven counties in North Carolina and parts of south eastern Tennessee, and serves as the Gateway to the southern-most section of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP), all of which is contained within GSMNP, beginning at BRP Milepost 469.1. The closest sections of the park to Hendersonville are the Cataloochee and Cherokee areas. The 520,000-acre park itself is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Eastern United States, covering more than 800 square miles. The park contains some of the highest peaks in the East, with elevations in excess of 6,000 feet. A popular destination to view elk, all visitors are encouraged to keep their distance from the elk and all wild animals. The best way to see the elk is using binoculars in the early morning or late evening. Visit in early summer to see calves and September to October for mating season.
The Great Smoky Mountains cover a wide section of the Southern Appalachian Mountains across the two states, much wider than the public lands within this extremely popular National Park. Like much of the Southern Appalachians, the Smokies are known for having extremely diverse and unique ecosystems, which include grassy mountain balds, wetlands and everything in between.
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is known for:
Elk sightings
Motorcycle rides
Breathtaking sunsets and sunrises
Open year-round (but often has seasonal closings due to weather or poor road conditions)
The Green River Game Lands includes more than 14,000 acres in Henderson and Polk Counties, located southeast of downtown Hendersonville. This area is home to steep, rugged terrain and dense forest land, as well as access to the Green River, which offers both gentle and extremely difficult sections with class IV & V rapids. The Game Lands are managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and are used for hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and tubing or kayaking. Due to the difficult terrain, all visitors are urged to use extreme caution in all parts of the forest. Much of the Green River Game Lands are recommended for advanced hikers and expert kayakers. Parking is available at many locations, but some of the closest designated parking to Hendersonville and hiking trails would be on Big Hungry Road at the Bishop Branch and Long Ridge Trailheads. Find a trail map at the Henderson County Visitor Center.
Hendersonville Outfitters believes that what ever fish you pursue, they will set you up for success on the water. They provide gear for a multitude of locations and species so you can feel confident no matter where your fishing ventures take you. They also believe that if you love the sport of fishing Fly or Conventional, you have a welcome place here. Fishing is their life blood, and they love to see all enjoying the sport and help you on the path of success. They provide rods, reels, wading equipment, flies, lures, and even gear to go after Musky! a daunting but rewarding task. In addition to fishing, they are avid supporters of the arts. they feature an array of nature inspired art works from ceramics to prints. local artists are welcome and encouraged to seek us out, and art enthusiasts can expect beautiful works to see or purchase.
Lake Julian Park is a family recreational facility located on the banks of 300-acre Lake Julian in Arden, off of Long Shoals Road. Lake Julian Park offers fishing, picnic areas, disc golf, outdoor games, a playground, paddleboats, special event venue rentals, and water access along a picturesque 300-acre public lake.
Lake Powhatan offers a sandy beach, swimming, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnic area, campground, trails, and educational programs. Lake Powhatan is located just minutes from Asheville.
Mills River Park is a 48-acre park located at 124 Town Center Dr. Its amenities include 1.25 miles of paved multi-use trail, access to Mills River for splashing and tubing, a dog park, large playground, 2 picnic shelters, many picnic tables and benches scattered throughout, tennis/pickleball courts, basketball courts, a baseball diamond, and more. Mills River Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk. Park Restrooms are open seven days per week, during daylight hours.
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.
Osceola Lake Inn is a restored 118-year old Victorian inn overlooking Lake Osceola in Hendersonville, NC. Blending historic charm with modern comfort. More than just a stay, it is a creative gathering place featuring boutique accommodations, lake views, and thoughtfully curated spaces for art, conversation, and community.
Guests come for the history and setting and return for the story they become a part of.
**Please note: Parts of Pisgah National Forest’s Pisgah Ranger District (the section closest to Hendersonville) have reopened, as of October 18th, after the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. There is still much work to be done, and some trails have not yet been touched. Please hike or bike at your own risk, and use extreme caution.**
The Pisgah National Forest’s more than 500,000 acres stretch across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina’s mountains. The closest section to Hendersonville is the Pisgah Ranger District, which includes attractions such as Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, The Cradle of Forestry and the North Mills River Recreational Area.
Enjoy the Following Activities while you visit Pisgah National Forest:
Camping (roadside camping is first-come, first-served, you can also camp at various campgrounds)
A 10-acre park in Laurel Park with almost a mile of walking paths, fitness stations, a catch-and-release fishing pond, picnic area with charcoal grill, and more.
Nature Trails
Fishing (catch-and-release for children under age 12)
Rock Creek Campground offers 12 peaceful acres of RV & tent campsites with riverfront access to the Green River. Some sites offer running water and RV hookups. The campground offers hiking trails, river access for swimming and fishing, indoor restrooms with hot showers, fire rings at each campsite and more. This campground is known for being quiet and remote.
This park offers access to the French Broad River with a floating boat ramp. This section of the river is a slow-moving, sometimes shallow section of the river that is more ideal for kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards, you might even see some wildlife! Nearby river put-ins are at Horse Shoe Bend River Access Park (11 miles upstream), Lazy Otter Outfitters (7 miles upstream) and Bent Creek River Park (8.5 miles downstream.)
The park also offers a few walking paths, picnic tables and an open field area. The boat ramp is a good spot to fish.
Suggested paddle trip: start at Westfeldt Park and paddle to Firefighter Island (7 miles downstream), which is a secluded-feeling island on the left side of the river. When the water is low, go around the left side of the island and access from the downstream end of the island. When water is higher, you can go around either side and access from the lower end of the island. Continue downstream to Bent Creek River Park to exit the river.
WNC Fish Hunter is a boutique guiding service specializing in tailored fishing guide experiences in the waters around Pisgah Forest, guided by local native, Stratton Hunter, who is focused on helping clients to catch wily Trout, the elusive Muskie, and hard fighting Smallmouth Bass. Whether you’re new to fishing or a seasoned pro, WNC Fish Hunter will tailor a plan specifically for you! Fly fishing or conventional tackle, all is welcome! Backcountry and jet boat options available.
