Pisgah National Forest

Half Day Adventure• THE CRADLE OF FORESTRY• FOREST DISCOVERY CENTER• SLIDING ROCK SWIMMING HOLE• LOOKING GLASS FALLS

Optional Full Day Extensions• MOORE COVE FALLS• JACKSON FALLS • PISGAH CENTER FOR WILDLIFE EDUCATION

Directions (see map on reverse): From the Bethea Welcome Center turn right onto 19 S, go to the next stoplight, then left on 276 S and follow it through the downtown area of Waynesville and continue south as it becomes Pigeon Street. Continue approximately 25 miles on 276 until you see signs for the Cradle of Forestry and Forest Discovery Center on the left.

The Cradle of ForestryBeginning in 1888, railroad magnate George Vanderbilt began purchasing large tracts of forest land specifically to experiment with new European ideas of applying science to forest management and preservation. Seven years and 80,000 acres later, Vanderbilt established Pisgah Forest. Volunteers from across the nation began arriving to work under renowned German forester Dr. Carl Schenk; those volunteers eventually became the inaugural class of America’s first forestry school.

Three miles of paved trails are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, as are many historic structures. Visitors with children should pick up scavenger hunt and fact finding activity sheets indoors before heading on either the 1-mile Biltmore Campus

Trail to view school structures such as residences, the blacksmith shop and commissary; or the 1.3 mile Forest Festival Trail depicting different stages of forestry management, including a seedling nursery, portable sawmill, and real logging train with giant loader. Center volunteers are available for guided tours. Open daily during the summer and fall seasons. Go to cradleofforestry.com or call 828-877-3130 for details

Forest Discovery CenterHoused in the same complex as the visitor center for the Cradle of Forestry, the Forest Discovery Center offers animal habitat exhibits as well as artifacts and interactive displays related to forest management. Be sure to climb in the fire-fighting helicopter flight simulator. Once you’ve finished, return to 276 S.

w w w . l a k e j u n a l u s k a . c o m • 8 0 0 - 2 2 2 - 4 9 3 0 • S h a r e Y o u r P h o t o s : f a c e b o o k . c o m / l a k e j u n a l u s k a

D I S C O V E R H A L F D A Y & F U L L D A Y A D V E N T U R E S

( s e e m a p o n r e v e r s e s i d e )

19

Adventure Tips• Six different waterfalls are located within six

miles of the Cradle of Forestry, making this area ideal for nature lovers and landscape photographers.

• Bring clothing, shoes, and towels for getting wet.

• Sliding Rock is a very popular destination; consider timing your trip to arrive before peak afternoon hours.

276

276

276

Sliding RockApproximately three miles from the Cradle of Forestry, you will see parking for Sliding Rock. Follow the short 200 yard paved walkway to view—or ride—this combination waterfall/natural water ride. The cool waters of Looking Glass Creek slope gently into an 8 foot deep pool. Lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day. Observation deck and restrooms on site. (Moore Cove Falls optional hike is located between Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls.)

Looking Glass FallsOne mile further on 276 S you will see a long line of parallel parking along the left for Looking Glass Falls. These stunning 30ft wide falls drop down a sheer cliff for 60ft. Enjoy the view from the overlook, or walk down the concrete steps toward the bottom of the falls.

Optional Full Day ExtensionsMoore Cove FallsLocated on 276 between Sliding Rock and Looking Glass Falls, visitors to Moore Cove will see a 50ft cascade that drapes over

a stunning striated rock ledge. Park near the concrete bridge and cross the adjoining wooden bridge for an easy 0.7 mile hike upstream.

Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & State Fish HatcheryOn 276 approximately 1.5 miles south of Looking Glass Falls, make a left onto FS 475 . The parking lot will be on your left in 2 miles. Walk through the state’s largest fish hatchery composed of 54 outdoor raceways and housing brook, rainbow and brown trout. The Center’s mountain wildlife habitat exhibit offers a look at live native animals such as toads, salamanders and snakes. Also available is a documentary detailing the conservation efforts by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. Hours vary seasonally. Go to ncwildlife.org/Pisgah or call 828-877-4423 for details.

Jackson Falls/Daniel Ridge FallsContinue along FS 475 to the second road gate and park in the lot provided. Multiple cascades of 100ft are visible at the end of the half-mile walk along the logging road. When you’ve finished, simply reverse your course, following [ FS 475 back to 276 N.

ASHEVILLE

WAYNESVILLE

CANTON

MAGGIE VALLEY

LAKE JUNALUSKA

276

276

215

280

151

23

74

19

19

64

40

26

Mt. Pisgah5749 ft

Graveyard Fields

Looking Glass FallsMoore Cove Falls

The Cradle of ForestryForest Discovery Center

Sliding Rock

Jackson Falls

Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

23

276 276

276

276

FS 475

BREVARD

The mission of Lake Junaluska is to be a place of Christian hospitality where lives are transformed through renewal of soul, mind, and body.