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)
Located approximately 1.5 hours from Hendersonville is Cherokee, NC, the capital of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, one of only 3 Cherokee tribes recognized in the United States. Often mistaken as a “Cherokee Indian Reservation,” the area, also known as Qualla Boundary, was purchased by the tribe in the 1870s. The land itself is where Cherokee Indians have lived for centuries and is located on the border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is still rich in its ancient customs, culture, history and traditions.
Major attractions include:
“Unto These Hills,” an outdoor drama that has been performed since the 1950s to tell the Cherokee story — updated to reflect modern day Cherokee life
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian, which expertly combines traditional museum displays with modern, interactive video displays and full-sensory experiences to share the history and culture of the Cherokee people
The Oconaluftee Indian Village, where you will and be transported to the 1700s, on an interactive journey through Cherokee lifestyle and history, which includes traditional Cherokee dwellings, work areas, and sacred ritual sites, as well as cultural dance performances, arts and crafts, demonstrations and more
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, which offers non-stop entertainment, including gaming tables and slots, dining, live entertainment and more
The Park is reopened! Reservations recommended at chimneyrockpark.com.
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a still-developing international outdoor destination located just 25 miles southeast of Asheville and nestled in the historic Chimney Rock Village at the foot of the Blue Ridge. It is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most iconic sites and popular travel destinations.
The Park’s 535-million-year-old monolith called Chimney Rock can be accessed via a state-of-the-art elevator or the nearly 500-step Outcroppings Trail. At the top, guests can enjoy 75-mile panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The Park features one of the highest waterfalls of its kind east of the Mississippi River, Hickory Nut Falls. Hickory Nut Gorge, one of the state’s most significant centers of biodiversity, is home to 36 rare plant species and 14 rare animal species.
A family and pet-friendly destination for travel groups, weddings and special events, the Chimney Rock section of the Park also hosts innovative educational programs for field trips, scout groups, and summer camps.
Visit chimneyrockpark.com for hours and ticket information.
Whether camping, glamping or sleeping high in a treehouse, Cold Spring Basecamp is an ideal outdoorsy retreat in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Guests select from traditional campsites, a unique and cozy treehouse or three-sided cabins that open up to the peaceful sounds of nature.
The property features 38 forested acres with mountain bike trails, hiking trails, waterfalls, creeks and endless relaxation.
Cold Spring worked with popular local trail builder Chris “Shrimper” Khare to build two fun mountain bike trail loops. One is a flowy green loop that meanders down the hillside, and the other is a more challenging blue loop that features some flowy sections, but also drops, steep downhill sections and skinny log rides.
The basecamp is also located on a headwater trout stream that feeds the famous Green River, which provides Class I to V paddling options.
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.
Florence Nature Preserve offers a network of 5+ miles of hiking trails on 600 beautiful acres on the slopes of Little Pisgah Mountain. Find a Trail Map here.
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)
Pearson’s Falls and Glen is a top natural attraction in Polk County, NC, hosting over 30,000 visitors each year. We are located in the foothills of Western North Carolina off Hwy. 176, between the towns of Tryon and Saluda. This unique botanical preserve is comprised of over 300 acres of rich cove forest, spring-fed streams and a moderate 1/4-mile trail to a 90 ft. waterfall. We boast having over 310 species of wildflowers and plants, a few that are rare. Mosses, lichens, shrubs, and a variety of trees reside in this Glen, which is classified as a deciduous climax forest. Pearson’s Falls is a perfect stop when visiting the area. We have picnic facilities and can accommodate groups and cyclists.
**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)
Enjoy your own mini-mountain retreat with a private stream, waterfall and fire bowl. Waterfall Cottage offers a natural setting in a convenient location!
Set against the backdrop of a gently sloping, natural 70-foot waterfall and enveloped by a lush forest, Willow Falls offers a picturesque and enchanting setting. Walking trails illuminated by warm Edison bulbs, charming gazebos, winding porches, a stone terrace, a fire pit, and vibrant gardens create a magical atmosphere perfect for any celebration.
Wedding Space:
Capacity: Accommodates up to 75 guests.
Available Months: May, June, September, and October
Accommodations:
Two Distinct Homes:
Main House: Designed with the elegance of a French countryside villa, offering a sophisticated and charming environment.
Bungalow: Provides a whimsical, fairytale-like experience.
Total Bedrooms: Five, comfortably accommodating up to 14 overnight guests.
