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Check hours of operation before visiting a business. Be prepared with water, food, and first-aid supplies when exploring outdoors.
The Hunter Subaru Cradle to Grave Race offers a unique opportunity for runners to enjoy spectacular pristine views of Pisgah National Forest while trekking through the birthplace of modern forestry. Both the 30k and the 10k begin and end at the Cradle of Forestry’s Discovery Center, located just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near […]
Come learn about the 1914 Climax logging locomotive on display at the Cradle of Forestry and how it and other old logging trains wound their way through the forest coves of western North Carolina. Enjoy a slide program at 10:30 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. presented by Western North Carolina train historian Jerry Ledford. […]
Moths, bats, owls- these are just some animals active at night when many of us are settled in our shelters. This wheelchair accessible program during a magical time focuses on nocturnal life in the woods and begins in the Cradle’s outdoor amphitheater. Children can make a luna moth finger puppet to take home. Naturalists will […]
The Songcatchers Music Series, now in its 13th year, showcases acoustic music with roots in the Southern Appalachians and the musicians who nurture the tradition of passing this heritage on to others. Local musicians are often on site at 3:00 p.m. to jam before the concert, which begins with a warm-up at 4:00 p.m. After […]
A sure sign of summertime is the blinking of fireflies or what some call lightning bugs. Enjoy the magical evening forest and learn about the natural history of these fascinating insects. Park and meet at the Pink Beds Picnic Area on Hwy. 276, located next to the Cradle of Forestry. The firefly program will be […]
The Cradle of Forestry invites the curious of all ages to learn about insects and other arthropods and their conservation. This event will be held in and around the Forest Discovery Center at the Cradle of Forestry and commemorates National Pollinator Week. Activities include buggy games, crafts, bug hunts, an observation bee hive, monarch butterfly […]
The Cradle of Forestry celebrates National Get Outdoors Day, established in 2008 by the USDA Forest Service to encourage Americans, especially youth, to seek out healthy, active outdoor lifestyles, connect with nature, and embrace public lands. The day includes skill teaching and demonstrations by the area’s outdoor recreation community. Admission to the site is free […]
Check hours of operation before visiting a business. Be prepared with water, food, and first-aid supplies when exploring outdoors.
Outdoors
Arts & Culture