Find Your Ultimate Trip to Experience the Rugged Outdoors near Brevard, NC
In Transylvania County, outdoor enthusiasts can really get away from it all. Outside of the popular waterfalls and hikes in our corner of the mountains, there are remote experiences for those who want to immerse themselves in the natural world.
These itineraries are ideal for experienced hikers, backpackers, and outdoor travelers looking for a quieter alternative to Asheville or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Looking for a unique Father’s Day experience? Look no further. If you want to explore wilderness areas, get out on the water, go backcountry camping, or find seclusion among the trees, you can find that escape here.
*A Note of Caution*
These trips are designed for experienced outdoorsperson. Cell service is limited in remote areas and many trails in wilderness areas are unmarked. We recommend taking extra measures to prepare yourself for backcountry and wilderness area adventures.
Choose Your Adventure
Fly Fishing & Waterfall Hikes
Get Out on the Water with Backcountry Fly Fishing & Waterfall Hikes
LOCATION: Gorges State Park, Headwaters State Forest & Panthertown Valley
TRIP LENGTH: 3 Days, 2 Nights
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Advanced to Expert
BEST FOR: Anglers, solitude seekers, experienced campers
HIGHLIGHTS: Remote fly fishing waters, backcountry waterfalls, rugged hiking, quiet campsites
Where to Stay
- A-frame or mirror cabins at Valley Bear Farms provide a comfy bed in a forested setting.
- Stay in the state park at Gorges Cabins & Campground or look for rugged sites at Panthertown Primitive Camping. Check out our Camping & RV page for more private campgrounds and RV camping options.
Day 1
- Stop into Downtown Brevard on your way to the woods.
- Gave a pint at a brewery or D.D. Bullwinkel’s Map Room. While there, get the gear you need for your trip.
- Grab dinner and provisions at one of our fresh markets or grocery stores. Or, have a meal at Jordan Street Cafe or Smoke On BBQ. Check into your cabin or set up camp.
Day 2
- Fill up with a hearty breakfast at your campsite, or stop by Sweetwater Perk & Creamery for a coffee and a pastry before you hit the water.
- Spend the morning on the river with a guided fly fishing excursion with Headwaters Outfitters. It’s a great chance to adventure into more remote areas.
- Check out Grand Olde Station—folks rave about the trout.
- Explore waterfalls in the Panthertown Valley Backcountry area via the Cold Mountain Gap Trailhead. For many, Schoolhouse Falls is the star of the show here. Remember, these areas are primitive, so there are no restrooms or potable water.
- Head to Gorges State Park and hike to Rainbow Falls.
- End your day of adventuring with a well-earned meal. Try Villa Amato or Los Vaqueros for a break from camp cooking.
Day 3
- Rise and shine! Head to breakfast at Panthertown Cafe.
- Explore a trail in Headwaters State Forest. This is a backcountry area, so there are no restrooms, it’s very rugged, and there are few marked trails. Visit a remote cascade at Gravely Falls or trek to mountain views at Bursted Rock Mountain.
- Stop by Cedar Mountain Outpost on the way out for a local beer on tap and one of their made to order pizzas.
Hiking & Mountain Biking Excursion
Hit The Trails on a Hiking & Mountain Biking Excursion
LOCATION: Brevard & Pisgah National Forest
TRIP LENGTH: 3 Days, 2 Nights
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Moderate to Advanced
BEST FOR: Mountain bikers, hikers, adventure groups
HIGHLIGHTS: Iconic Pisgah singletrack, waterfall hikes, classic forest views, post-ride brewery stops
Where to Stay
- Forest stays are a classic option when planning a getaway in the mountains. You might try Pilot Cove, Foggy Bottom Cabins, Deerwoode Reserve, DuPont Yurts, or Ash Grove Cabins and Campground.
- For a camping experience, try Davidson River Campground, Cove Creek Group Camp, or check out primitive camping in Pisgah National Forest along Yellow Gap Road.
Day 1
- Check in to your cabin.
- Go to Downtown Brevard and check out the town before heading into the wilderness. Get camping provisions at a local grocery store or market, and stop in Earth Mountain Bicycle for cycling gear.
Day 2
- Head to Morning Social for one of their famous skillets, or check out some other local breakfast spots.
- Grab a picnic lunch from Blue Ridge Bakery or Pisgah Bakehouse so that you can spend all day on the trails.
- Rent a mountain bike from The Hub, Squatch Bikes & Brews, or Earth Mountain Bicycle. Try out some of the most epic single track on the East Coast in Pisgah National Forest.
- Grab a chill post-ride dinner, we recommend Corky’s Dawg House, Pisgah Social, or Hawg Wild Smokehouse & Taproom.
Day 3
- For a classic breakfast experience near downtown, try Brevard Diner or Pescado’s & Sunrise.
- Hike to a secluded waterfall—some less-traveled falls in Pisgah National Forest include Courthouse Falls, Log Hollow Falls, and Twin Falls.
- Get some lunch on your way out—and maybe pick up a six-pack from your favorite brewery. Gordingo’s at Ecusta Brewing Company has delicious, Mexican-inspired fare. Or, try out the CHUBwagon at Oskar Blues Brewing.
Know Before You Go
Remember—you are a guest in the backcountry. Before exploring, check rules and regulations with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and get a hunting and/or fishing license if necessary. Trails in backcountry areas are generally unmarked, and cell service is limited in many public lands and remote areas of the county. Make sure to check the rules for individual public lands before recreating and prepare yourself for adventure with the proper gear, maps, and fuel. And, as always, practice Leave it Better principles and Be Waterfall Wise in the forest.
