Cradle of Forestry in America

Opening Day: April 13, 2024!

Explore the beautiful grounds, top-notch exhibits, and historic buildings of the first forestry school in America, located deep in Pisgah National Forest on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway. It's just four miles from popular Sliding Rock. Cradle of Forestry was home to the Biltmore Forest School, founded in 1898. It's a fascinating place to explore with many things to do to learn about the nature, culture, and history of our mountains. And it's only four miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's open from early April through early November. It's a photographer's dream and great for kids to explore.

Learn all about forestry and get a glimpse into life at the forestry school in the early 1900s via wonderfully restored buildings. There are three paved trails for easy hiking. In fact, this is our top pick for accessible trails for wheelchairs, strollers and scooters, making it easy for everyone to explore. Watch their new forestry documentary that aired on UNCTV.

The 1.3-mile Forest Festival Trail explores Dr. Schenck's forestry experiments, a portable sawmill, and a logging locomotive that you can climb aboard. Extend the loop with the 1.3-mile Forest Discovery Trail for a total of 2.2 miles. It's on the NC Birding Trail, so a great spot for bird watching. 

The one-mile Biltmore Campus Trail passes seven historical buildings, including a schoolhouse, commissary, and student quarters.

Inside the Forest Discovery Center, watch the 26-minute documentary “First in Forestry-Carl Alwin Schenck and The Biltmore Forest School,” explore 15 hands-on exhibits, shop at the Giving Tree gift shop and get a great lunch at the Cafe at the Cradle.

Kids of all ages love to ride the firefighting helicopter simulator over a forest fire, then go underground and see which animals live under the forest floor. The Adventure Zone is a wonderful collection of hands-on activities (indoors and outdoors) designed to help children and adults with autism become active in the outdoors and gain a better understanding of the natural world.

Restaurant
Find the only restaurant in this popular section of Pisgah National Forest! The Café at the Cradle has great sandwiches, soups and salads, open 11 AM-3 PM. Dine indoors or outside on the porch surrounded by the forest. Get picnics to go! If you want to eat, just ask for a free "café pass."

Location, Hours & Admission
The Cradle of Forestry in America Heritage Site is located on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway (US Highway 276) near Brevard, about 40 miles from Asheville. Next door is the Pink Beds hike and picnic area. Nearby is Looking Glass Rock, Sliding Rock, and Looking Glass Falls.

• From the Blue Ridge Parkway, take U.S. Highway 276 South at Milepost 412 for four miles. From Brevard, take US Highway 276 North about 15 miles.
• Open Wed-Sunday, 10 AM-4 PM
• Admission: $6 adults, $3 youth age 4-12. Special event admission is $10-$16/person. Half price for America the Beautiful pass holders.
• Information desk: 828-877-3130

Looking for guided tours? Check out their Pisgah Field School.

For more info, go to their website.