Site Open

Cradle of Forestry

Nestled below the Blue Ridge Parkway on the Pisgah National Forest is the birthplace of forestry in America - the Cradle of Forestry.

The Cradle abounds with ways to have fun while learning about the forest, traditional Blue Ridge culture, and forest management.

Paved trails put the forest at your fingertips.

Learn about more about events, activities, and history.

General Information

Open seasonally, spring to fall, visit Cradle of Forestry website for dates.

Open daily, 10 a.m to 5 p.m.

$10.00 regular admission
$5.00 youth admission (ages 4 to 12)
Free for children under age 4
Half price for America the Beautiful annual and lifetime passholders and up to three guests.
FREE for Friends of the Cradle of Forestry and 4th Grade Every Kid in a Park passes

*Exceptions to general admission are for some special events such as: In Search of Blue Ghosts Firefly Tours, Songcatchers Music Series, and The Legend of Tommy Hodges.

Contact Name: FIND Outdoors

Contact Phone: (828) 877-3130

Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway Pisgah Forest , NC 28768
Phone: (828) 877-3265
Hours: Peak Season Hours (April 1-Nov. 15) 9 AM-5 PM daily; Off-season Hours (Nov. 16-March 31) 9 am-5 pm M-F (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: sm.fs.pisgahrd@usda.gov

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 35.350401

Longitude: -82.7785

Directions

From the Pisgah Visitor Center, follow US-276 N 9.8 miles. Turn right onto Cradle Drive.

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

The Discovery Center is fully accessible.

The outdoor trails are paved though due to the grade, curves and possible hazards are not considered accessible. Guests can view the mature American Sycamore Apollo Moon Tree, a water feature along with other points of interest adjacent to the Discovery Center that are easily accessible.