Forest Discovery Center
The 6,500-acre Cradle of Forestry Heritage Site in the Pink Beds valley, NC, was established by Congress in 1968 and contains the first official school for forestry in America – the Biltmore Forest School. Spanning over 100 years of forest conservation history, the Cradle of Forestry offers a snap shot of life at America’s first school of Forestry. The area is complete with a restored 1914 Climax logging locomotive, a helicopter in the Forest Discovery Center Exhibit Hall and events and activities throughout the Cradle of Forestry in America Heritage Site.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Operational Hours for 2020 are April 9-November 8, Wednesday to Monday 10AM-4PM |
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Fees: | $6 regular admission; 50% admission for youth ages 4-12 and federal interagency passholders; FREE admission for Friends of the Cradle members; series of special event prices throughout the season; there are no longer discounted days on Tuesdays. |
Permit Info: | $5 for adults 16 and over. Children under 15 and under free. Golden Age Pass and America the Free passes recognized. Special programs $6 for adults 16 and older and $4 for children 15 and under. |
Open Season: | Mid-April - Early November |
Usage: | Heavy |
Water: | Drinking |
Restroom: | flush |
Operated By: | US Forest Service |
General Information
Directions:Leaving the Pisgah District Station/Visitor Center parking lot, turn right (north) onto US 276, then proceed 9.5 miles north to the Cradle of Forestry in America heritage site. To access this trail you must enter the Cradle of Forestry site, which is generally open from early April to early November and charges a nominal fee.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Day Hiking
Visitor Programs
Interpretive Areas
Visitor Centers
Picnicking
Alerts & Warnings
- Pisgah RD: Partial closure of FSR 475B Headwaters Road
- Be Bear Aware
- Catawba Falls Trail (TR 225) Closed
- Camping and other restrictions now in effect at Max Patch
- Nantahala RD: Multiple areas under construction
- Appalachian RD: NCDOT construction near Harmon Den may affect Forest access
- Grandfather RD: Old House Gap Rd (FS192) temporarily closed
- Recreate responsibly
- Joyce Kilmer Trail Lower Loop Closed due to rain damage
- Target Shooting prohibited on Croatan National Forest