Cradle of Forestry: Everything You Need to Know to Visit

A pin reading "A great stop on blue ridge parkway: Cradle of Forestry." There are three pictures in the background: a train, moss-covered train tracks, and a landscape of fall colors.

If you are anything like me, you are probably thinking “A forestry school? Like where they take trees down? And I have to pay to walk on a trail? No thanks.”

But here me out – it was actually really cool! The forestry school taught people forest conservation, so instead of wildly chopping trees down willy-nilly, there’s planning, intention, and education to keep the area thriving and stable. I won’t bore you with the details here because they have an awesome video and informative exhibits to tell you all about it! So, if you are driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway looking for things to do, the Cradle of Forestry is a perfect stop. And no, it’s not a current forestry school.

In the area: Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, Underrated Waterfalls

Table of Contents
1. What is The Cradle of Forestry in America?
2. Where is it?
3. When is the Cradle of Forestry open?
4. How much is it to visit the Cradle of Forestry in America?
5. What is there to do at The Cradle of Forestry?
6. Special Events at the Cradle of Forestry in America

What is The Cradle of Forestry in America?

Two pieces of old farming equipment is featured along a scenic trail. — *Old farming equipment along Forest Festival Trail.*

George Vanderbilt hired Carl A. Schenck to manage the vast land holdings of his Biltmore Estate property in the early 1895. Dr. Schenck was one of three people in the United States trained in forestry practices, and he came from Germany at the request of Vanderbilt. In 1898, the Biltmore Forest School was founded by Dr. Schenck on Vanderbilt property after years of explaining to locals about the importance of forest conservation.

After gaining approval from Vanderbilt, Dr. Schenck opened the school using abandoned farm buildings. The school was only opened until 1909 on Vanderbilt’s property, but Dr. Schenck continued to teach his students until 1913. Pisgah National Forest, where the school was located was established in 1916, and the Cradle of Forestry in America was created as an educational space for forestry history in 1968.

Read a brief overview about the native history under the Human History section in my Guide to the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway.

Where is The Cradle of Forestry in America?

The Cradle of Forestry is along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in the Pisgah National Forest near Asheville and Brevard, NC. If you are driving the lovely Blue Ridge Parkway, it is four miles off the Wagon Road Gap exit (mile 412). It’s along US 276, 3.5 miles from the popular Sliding Rock.

The physical address is
11250 Pisgah Hwy
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

Travel tip: The only food in this section of the forest is here, so if you are hungry, be sure to pop in as long as it’s open .

When is the Cradle of Forestry open?

An old 1914 black Climax train is housed under a wood building. It has the number 3 front and center. — *A 1914 train is also featured along the Forest Festival Trail.*

The 2021 season opening hours haven’t been determined yet. Typically, they are open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm, with the café open from 11am-3pm. However, during the 2020 season, they were only open from Wednesday-Sunday between 10am-4pm. Only the trails, gift shop, and restrooms were open too. Check back closer to April for opening hours, and to see what events are taking place and what’s open this year.

How much is it to visit the Cradle of Forestry in America?

A general visit to the Cradle of Forestry in America is $6/person. However, it’s half price if you have an America the Beautiful Pass or lifetime holder pass. That discount is good for up to three guests! Entrance is also free for youth 4-12 and 4th Grade Every Kid in a Park passes.

Entrance does vary for special events held by the Cradle of Forestry, such as the Songcatchers Music Series, Junior Forester Days, and The Legend of Tommy Hodges.

What is there to do at The Cradle of Forestry in America?

Trails

An old logging train (in red) has wood logging cars trailing from it. — *An old logging train.*

All trails in the Cradle of Forestry are wheelchair accessible and paved! They start from the back of the Cradle of Forestry building. Both Forest trails go to the right, and the Biltmore Campus Trail veers to the left.

The Forest Festival Trail is a 1.3-mile educational loop trail the blends historic forestry work, such as an old logging train, with Dr. Schenck’s experiments, past transportation, and nature. Exciting highlights include an ozone garden, portable sawmill, 1914 Climax locomotive (that you can touch and climb into!). Even though many of the attractions at the Cradle of Forestry seem to target children, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this trail and everything else I experienced.

To make the Forest Festival Trail a bit longer, the Forest Discovery Trail can be added. It loops above the Forest Festival and adds about a mile. This trail is mostly a nature walk with few sites. However, there is a creek cascade and crossing!

Wooden train tracks raised above the ground are covered in green moss. — *An old train track runs through parts of the Cradle of Forestry in America.*

The Biltmore Campus Trail is a 1-mile loop walk through history. Visitors are provided the opportunity to see what forestry students and families living here in the 1900s experienced. A one-room schoolhouse, general store, student quarters, office, blacksmith shop, and a garden are just a few buildings that can be explored along this trail.

Tips: (1) Kids get a free Adventure Pack for hikes with scavenger hunts, identification guides, a compass, magnifying glass and more!
(2) There is also a free app called Agents of Discovery designed for the Forest Festival Trail guided by Agent Beaver. It’s an augmented reality game for children to challenge their knowledge about nature. Make sure to download the mission prior to visiting!

Forest Discovery Center

The Forest Discovery Center is a perfect indoor stop if the weather isn’t cooperating – it’s still fun even if it is, though! Visitors can watch First in Forestry: Carl Alwin Schenck and The Biltmore Forest School, explore the interactive exhibits, ride a helicopter simulator, and learn about life as a student and forest friend in the area.

Adventure Zone

This zone is incredible. It was designed to held children and adults with autism become active in the outdoors, so it focuses on activities that are beneficial to people with autism – but it’s good for everyone! The map station for these activities are to the left of the front entrance at the Cradle of Forestry. The digital map is also provided above.

Citizen Science Lab

The Citizen Science Lab is designed to get visitors of all ages interested and excited about science, data, and the outdoors. Two forest scientists, a forester, and an ecologist are there to talk to visitors about tools and what they do, then you can go try them for yourself! The Cradle of Forestry also has a long list of downloadable guides (one is named Project Squirrel – how cute!) for more info and activities for citizen science projects.

Special Events at The Cradle of Forestry in America

Many of the special events have a separate fee, so be sure to review the listings beforehand.

Opening Day & Appalachian Folkways Series

On Opening Day (and select days after), the Cradle of Forestry journeys back in time to celebrate Appalachian culture and heritage from the early 1900s. Visitors get the chance to interact with demonstrators plowing the garden (traditionally with horses), talking with living history crafters (fiber arts, blacksmithing, etc.) in historic buildings, and listening to music. All of these fun activities take place in addition to the cool things already there!

Junior Foresters

Each Thursday from mid-June to mid-August, kids investigate and learn about the outdoors with a professional. There are different themes, but you can rest assured they will have a fun time and even receive a badge at the end of the program! This event sounds like tons of fun to me, but it’s unfortunately only for children ages 8-12. There is a similar program called Woodsy Owl’s Curiosity Club for 4-7-year-olds!

Forest Festival Day

An old building with wood slats all over is featured in the forest. There is one door on the shorter end of the building with stairs leading up to it. On the longer end of the building, there is a long ramp up to another door. There is a window by the ramp. — *The schoolhouse at the Cradle of Forestry.*

The Cradle of Forestry annually celebrates US forests and forest heritage on Forest Festival Day in addition to Dr. Schenck’s Forest Fair. Weavers, wood carvers, dulcimer players, primitive fire makers, and other skilled workers and craftspeople demonstrate their expertise.

On this day, an annual lumberjack competition hosted by Haywood Community College also occurs. It takes place “next door” at the Pink Beds Picnic Area. Events include Archery, a Quiz Bowl, Log Roll, Axe Throw, Pole Climb, and more!

The Legend of Tommy Hodges

This show is a mix of outdoor fun, storytelling, and theatre. As the story goes (can’t tell if it’s true!), Tommy Hodges disappeared from the Biltmore Forest School on Halloween night in 1906. This outdoor presentation tells that story, and a few others based on student’s diaries from 1903-1907. Each year, a different twist is written to the story, but the general layout remains the same. Visitors start at the beginning of the Biltmore Campus Trail and move from scene to scene along the path. The show usually happens on two nights in October, varying each year. Tickets can be purchased here when shows are announced.

In Search Of Blue Ghosts Twilight Tour

For a few short weeks from May to June, blue ghost fireflies hover the forest floor with a lingering bluish glow. For three consecutive weeks, the Cradle of Forestry hosts tours to see the amazing creatures. Each night starts with education about firefly natural history, where to look for blue ghosts, and the safety rules for the night. Visitors can then walk along the Forest Festival Trail to see a variety of firefly species, including the blue ghosts. Regular admission is $22 with various discounts (such as America the Beautiful Passholders getting half off).

Have any more questions? Let me know in the comments! Or, for more immediate interaction follow me on any of the socials: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest!