Women’s Backpacking Full-Day Workshop & Overnight Adventure. Be. Empowered. Outdoors. Join us for a full day backpacking class and overnight trip designed for women of all fitness levels who want to connect with nature, build confidence, and master essential backpacking skills. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to deepen your outdoor knowledge, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn and explore in a supportive, all-women environment. This online platform will only let us post for Day 1 of our adventure, but the full event takes place Nov 1-3 . The weekend itinerary is as follows. Day 1 (Friday): Full-day workshop at Island Ford Adventures basecamp where you’ll get hands-on experience with the basics of backpacking from experienced instructors. Dive into practical knowledge that will prepare you for your overnight adventure. Days 2 & 3 (Saturday-Sunday): Set out on a 2-mile backpacking trip into the beautiful Pisgah National Forest. You’ll put your new skills in to practice, from setting up camp and gathering water to hanging a bear bag. The adventure ends with a sunset hike before spending the night under the stars. We’ll hike back out together on Sunday and plan to be back at basecamp by 1:00...
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UPDATE: Due to current weather conditions, please check with the event website directly to confirm that this event is still taking place on Saturday. A decision will be made in response to the weather conditions on Friday, Sept. 27th. Thank you! National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. NPLD is also a “Fee-Free Day”—one of only five days a year when entrance fees are waived at national parks and other public lands. Because of this everyone can enjoy the Cradle of Forestry for FREE on September 28, 2024! Additionally, the Cradle will host a special book signing with the author of “MOON TREE: The Story of One Extraordinary Tree,” Carolyn Bennett Fraiser from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., with a book reading to immediately follow. Come explore our exhibit hall, film, and over 3 miles of paved hiking trails featuring seven historical buildings from the time of the first forestry school in America, the Biltmore Forest School. Remaining fee free days for the 2024 season: September 24, September 28, October...
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The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a very unique creature that some say resembles a collection of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest. The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County. You’ll experience an educational presentation at our outdoor amphitheater starting at 9:00pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest. Team members will be stationed at key locations around the trail to provide further information about this amazing natural phenomenon. Please feel free to congregate near these areas with your fellow firefly enthusiasts, or go explore on your own! We require everyone to stay on the trail to prevent habitat damage, and team members will clear the trail and require everyone to depart by 10:30 pm. Ticket Purchase/Pre-registration is required. Actual tickets are not provided. Your ticket purchase receipt serves as your ticket/date confirmation. This is a light rain or shine, family-friendly event! In order to maximize our participant experience while minimizing our impact on the resource, we limit each night to 125 participants. Due to the uniqueness of the insects in the natural habitat, it is very difficult to capture photos. Very specific camera equipment is needed and it is almost impossible to capture a photo with...
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Relax, Unwind, and Be Well in Transylvania County Breathe in… and breathe out. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of life’s hectic moments melting away in the peaceful mountain oasis that is Transylvania County. Here, you can find calm moments in the company of nature as you take in the awe of an unending vista, soak up the sunlit canopy of the forests, and find your balance through movement and relaxation. Ready to find your inner peace? Let’s go. Find your zen outside. With 100,000+ acres of public lands to explore in the county, there’s plenty of room to spread out and find your moments of zen in nature. One increasingly popular way to enjoy the calm and rich, sensory experience of the outdoors is through forest bathing. Forest bathing is a practice that engages your senses to find a deeper connection with nature. To get the most out of this relaxing experience, make sure to turn off your devices to decrease distractions, move slowly along a trail, take deep breaths, and check in often to observe what is around you. You can also find serenity while admiring Transylvania’s naturally beautiful views. Of course, the Land of Waterfalls has many cascades to explore. If a mountain vista sounds more like your idea of peace, there are several incredible overlooks that await. Maybe the river is calling your name. Whether you decide to cast a line or paddle your way through mountain streams, our rivers are sure to help you decompress. Mindful...
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Protected: Rise and Shine: Breakfast in Transylvania County Transylvania County’s many authentic, independent eateries offer a mouthwatering variety of food and beverages to sweeten your stay, no matter the time of day. When it comes to starting your day with a delicious breakfast, we know how to do it right with an assortment of great spots to get you going — whether you’re heading out on the trail, hitting the town, or just hanging out. Here are some top breakfast spots across the county. Photo Courtesy of Morning Social, Cup & Saucer, Smokey Mountain Sunrise Brevard Brevard is a haven for breakfast lovers, offering a diverse array of options to suit any craving. Find high-quality breakfast and lunch all day in the historic Lumberyard District at Morning Social, which serves up locally sourced, made-from-scratch classics, hearty bowls, brunch favorites, and specialty drinks. Smokey Sunrise in Downtown Brevard specializes in high-quality brunch and lunch options with a distinct culinary flare. If you’re looking for a quick and fresh-baked bite with your coffee in a cafe setting, Bracken Mountain Bakery, Blue Ridge Bakery, Cup & Saucer, and Quotations Coffee Spot are all excellent choices. For classic breakfast favorites, head to Sunrise Cafe or Brevard Diner, where you can enjoy traditional dishes in a cozy setting. And if you’re on the go, Henry’s and Sully’s Steamers offer quick and satisfying breakfast options to grab and go. Photo Courtesy of Cedar Mountain Cafe Cedar Mountain Tucked into the homey mountain community of...
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Listen to the Music: Live Music in Transylvania County The hills are alive with the sound of music — the Appalachian hills, that is! Corner to corner, Transylvania County is filled with the sounds of live music. From cover bands at breweries playing your favorite classic rock and country songs to the sweeping sounds of a symphony orchestra, whatever genre you’re looking for, you can find it here. Live Music Wherever you roam in Transylvania County, you’re never far from a live music venue. Our communities have many different music venues to check out, from wine bars and restaurants to art galleries and community centers. Each one offers up their own flare and specialty that you need to experience for yourself! Photo Courtesy of 185 King Street Brevard The little town at the heart of adventure in Transylvania County has its fair share of wonderful, and sometimes unexpected, music venues. From the bustling streets of Downtown Brevard to unique spots on the outskirts of town, there are several great spots to check out for music. 185 King Street DFR Room Wine Down on Main Cathey’s Creek Community Center Brevard Philharmonic Duckpond Pottery Transylvania County Library Quixote Fine Cuisine Blue Ridge Bakery Canto 34 Lizards Rock Silvermont Mansion & Park Sundaze Gardens Just a short drive from Downtown Brevard, the Brevard Music Center is a unique place that lives and breathes music, calling itself “at once a place, an institute, and a festival.” Its campus is host to a summer...
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Earthshine offers many different summer adventures that are open to the general public and included with an overnight stay at Earthshine Lodge. We do ask that reservations be made ahead of time and can be made by phone or on the website (www.EarthshineNC.com) Wilderness Skills Program Ever wonder what to do if you’re lost in the wild? Join one of Earthshine’s experienced instructors for a fun and adventurous jaunt through the wilderness where you’ll learn to build a debris shelter, collect and treat water, build a fire, and discuss the essentials to make sure you’re prepared any time you are headed out on a hike in the woods. This is a fun activity for kids of all...
Read MoreEarthshine offers many different summer adventures that are open to the general public and included with an overnight stay at Earthshine Lodge. We do ask that reservations be made ahead of time and can be made by phone or on the website (www.EarthshineNC.com) Wilderness Skills Program Ever wonder what to do if you’re lost in the wild? Join one of Earthshine’s experienced instructors for a fun and adventurous jaunt through the wilderness where you’ll learn to build a debris shelter, collect and treat water, build a fire, and discuss the essentials to make sure you’re prepared any time you are headed out on a hike in the woods. This is a fun activity for kids of all...
Read MoreEarthshine offers many different summer adventures that are open to the general public and included with an overnight stay at Earthshine Lodge. We do ask that reservations be made ahead of time and can be made by phone or on the website (www.EarthshineNC.com) Wilderness Skills Program Ever wonder what to do if you’re lost in the wild? Join one of Earthshine’s experienced instructors for a fun and adventurous jaunt through the wilderness where you’ll learn to build a debris shelter, collect and treat water, build a fire, and discuss the essentials to make sure you’re prepared any time you are headed out on a hike in the woods. This is a fun activity for kids of all...
Read MoreThe Blue Ridge Mountains are home to a very unique creature that some say resembles a collection of fairies carrying blue candles through the forest. The Blue Ghost Firefly (Phausis reticulata) is a secretive, hard-to-find native insect that calls our area home, and for a very short amount of time in late Spring, they inhabit our surrounding woodlands of Transylvania County. You’ll experience an educational presentation at our outdoor amphitheater starting at 9:00pm and then use the cover of darkness and special flashlights to go in search of the Blue Ghost fireflies while hiking on a paved trail through the forest. Team members will be stationed at key locations around the trail to provide further information about this amazing natural phenomenon. Please feel free to congregate near these areas with your fellow firefly enthusiasts, or go explore on your own! We require everyone to stay on the trail to prevent habitat damage, and team members will clear the trail and require everyone to depart by 10:30 pm. Ticket Purchase/Pre-registration is required. Actual tickets are not provided. Your ticket purchase receipt serves as your ticket/date confirmation. This is a light rain or shine, family-friendly event! In order to maximize our participant experience while minimizing our impact on the resource, we limit each night to 125 participants. Due to the uniqueness of the insects in the natural habitat, it is very difficult to capture photos. Very specific camera equipment is needed and it is almost impossible to capture a photo with...
Read More
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind hike in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains with our friendly llamas! Hikers will learn about our famous llamas’ interesting histories and how to safely handle the animals before heading out on a hike with gorgeous mountaintop views on our private trails. Each family/group gets 1 to 3 lovable llamas to share and there’s plenty of time for llama cuddles and, of course, llama selfies! This moderate hike is around 1 mile long and requires walking uphill on rocky and sometimes slippery terrain. This experience lasts approximately an hour and a half. We welcome all ages on our llama hikes, and children 5 and under are...
Read MoreEnjoy a one-of-a-kind hike in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains with our friendly llamas! Hikers will learn about our famous llamas’ interesting histories and how to safely handle the animals before heading out on a hike with gorgeous mountaintop views on our private trails. Each family/group gets 1 to 3 lovable llamas to share and there’s plenty of time for llama cuddles and, of course, llama selfies! This moderate hike is around 1 mile long and requires walking uphill on rocky and sometimes slippery terrain. This experience lasts approximately an hour and a half. We welcome all ages on our llama hikes, and children 5 and under are...
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