Five Cool Things to Do in Rosman, Sapphire and Toxaway

Travel southwest on Highway 64 from downtown Brevard and you’ll see a beautiful world unfolding before you. A temperate rainforest. The headwaters of the French Broad – one of the oldest rivers in the world. Spectacular, edge-the-world views from the Blue Ridge Escarpment, waterfalls and starry skies aplenty. These treasures and more are woven into the communities of Toxaway and Rosman, which offer visitors extraordinary opportunities for fun and unforgettable adventure.

Moore Cove Falls, Pisgah National Forest

1

HEADWATERS OUTFITTERS

For more than 25 years, this family-owned outfitter has served as an outpost for all things French Broad River-related from paddling, tubing, and fishing to gearing up for your adventure or just hanging out after a good long float at their onsite Forks of the River taproom. Headwaters also plays host to live music, food trucks and special events, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on their goings-on when you plan your trip. Learn more about Headwaters Outfitters.

2

PARI

This 200-acre Space Age Educational Center in Rosman was once a NASA relay station and a Department of Defense tracking station. These days, PARI hosts programs and events that welcome guests of all ages to explore the universe via their telescopes, museum, gallery, and Certified Dark Sky Park. With cabins on premises and special overnight packages on weekends, would-be astronomers can have a celestial experience at a truly out-of-this-world place. Learn more about PARI.

3

GORGES STATE PARK

With lush forests, stunning views along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, high rock walls, and some of the most spectacular waterfalls around, this 7800-acre state park is a magical slice of what makes Transylvania County so extraordinary. Adventurers can explore its dramatic expanse via hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, trout fishing, and more. They can also check out exhibits and jaw-dropping views from the Gorges Visitor Center. Learn more about Gorges State Park.

4

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS RESERVE

A native plant arboretum and research facility at an altitude of 4500 feet, the Southern Highlands Reserve is one of Transylvania County’s best kept secrets. Walking trails wind through gardens of native flora, tranquil woodland glades, and some splendid high-altitude mountain views. Garden docents are on-site to fill you in on what makes this part of the world such a unique and precious habitat. The Reserve is closed to the public for the season but will reopen for Visitor Days, the first Tuesday of the month from April to October 2022, and to private groups by reservation. Learn more about Southern Highlands Reserve.

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HISTORIC TOXAWAY

Created at the end of the 19th century, the Historic Toxaway Community first launched as a resort community around an original lake and iconic Toxaway Inn built in 1903. A pullman car carried notable guests, including the Carnegies, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and even Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, to vacation in what was touted as “The Switzerland of America.” A tragic dam collapse in 1916 left the area without its trademark lake for decades. The dramatic plunge at Toxaway Falls, just below the bridge on Highway 64 below the current dam, still shows an expanse of bedrock bared by the historic collapse. Rebuilt and reimagined in the 1960s, Toxaway today is a thriving resort and residential community. Though the storied Toxaway Inn is long gone, visitors can get a feel of its gilded age past at the luxurious, lakeside Greystone Inn, where they can enjoy a delicious meal, an overnight stay, or a twilight ride on Miss Lucy, the Inn’s famed mahogany electric boat. Learn more about Historic Toxaway.