This guide shares everything to know about the Cradle of Forestry near Brevard, NC. It includes details on parking, admission, kid-friendliness and what to expect.
This article shares everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to the Cradle of Forestry, from admission and parking information to a rundown of the various exhibits around the complex. It’s a wonderful attraction for those who love nature and history and caters to all ages.
What You’ll Find In This Article
About The Cradle Of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry is an outdoor museum commemorating the founding of the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in the United States.
Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway about 30 miles southwest of Asheville, it’s one of the best things to do near Brevard for nature lovers and history fanatics.
Here you can explore historic buildings, wander through scenic trails, and immerse yourself in the rich history of forest conservation.
The indoor portion shares details on the school’s history. There are also several nature habitats to explore.
Outside you’ll find a few trails that wind along the property. These trails lead to several points of interest, offering a captivating glimpse into life in the Blue Ridge Mountains during the early 1900s.
Cradle of Forestry Admission
Before we dive into the attractions, we’ll cover admission into the Cradle of Forestry grounds.
Below you’ll find options for individual passes, annual memberships and even free access via a ZOOM Pass for Buncombe and Transylvania County residents.
Individual day passes
The Cradle of Forestry offers both individual day passes and annual memberships.
As of August 2024, day passes cost $8 for ages 13 and up, $4 for children ages 4-12 and children 3 and under are free. There is a $4 reduced admission fee for Federal America the Beautiful Passholders.
Tickets are purchased inside the visitor center at the gift shop.
Fee Free Days
The Cradle of Forestry offers fee-free access on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Check their calendar to plan your next fee-free day!
ZOOM Pass Entry
Free access to the Cradle of Forestry is available for Buncombe and Transylvania county residents via the ZOOM Pass program.
Library cardholders can get free access to several Asheville area attractions every thirty days. Current offerings include the WNC Nature Center, NC Arboretum and the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS).
Annual Membership
They offer annual memberships with $35 individual memberships and $55 Friends and Family memberships (pass holder + 3 additional persons). It’s a great deal if you live nearby and plan to visit often.
Parking at the Cradle of Forestry
The Cradle of Forestry has a large parking lot at the Visitor Center with plenty of parking.
Follow the driveway through the main entrance and past the guard booth and you will reach the main parking lot.
They may stop you at the gate to give you a brief intro, but tickets are purchased inside at the gift shop.
Cradle of Forestry Map
The map below shows the layout of the campus. There are several walking loops shown that take you to the various attractions.
Cradle of Forestry Trails & Attractions
There is a large variety of exhibits around the Cradle of Forestry. Read on to get an overview of what you’ll see, from trails to stream trains and historic log cabins to a forest service helicopter simulator!
Forest Discovery Center
The Forest Discovery Center at the Cradle of Forestry is home to exhibits educating visitors about the history of forestry in the US and forest conservation. There are interactive exhibits, habitat displays, and even a Forest Service helicopter simulator that kids love.
If you’re visiting with kids, be sure to ask for a scavenger hunt at the welcome desk. Your kids will love searching for hidden animals throughout the exhibit hall.
Be sure to check out the gift shop in the Discovery Center as well for a souvenir.
Biltmore Campus Trail
The Biltmore Campus Trail is a 1-mile loop that takes you through the original forestry school buildings.
Along the trail, you will see 8 historically preserved log cabins that are in impeccable shape. It will give you a feel for what it was like to live in a remote area of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the turn of the 20th century.
The trail starts behind the Forest Discovery Center to the left.
After seeing and going inside the old schoolhouse you will follow the trail through a tunnel under US 276. Passing through the underground tunnel tends to be one of the most popular activities with kids!
As you continue around the loop you will see eight cabins with various functions in an enchanting woodland setting. The entire path is paved and easy to walk.
Forest Festival Trail
The Forest Festival Trail is the second trail located behind the Forest Discovery Center. It’s located to the right.
This 1.3-mile trail traverses through areas that were used in forestry experiments and gives you an education on how the field of forestry was established in the US.
At the furthest point in the loop, you will reach the most popular attraction of the trail: a 1915 Climax steam logging train locomotive. Kids love to climb the train and ring the brass bell.
Just before you reach the logging train you will also see a portable sawmill that was been used to process lumber.
Forest Discovery Trail
From the Forest Festival Trail, you can take a fork to the Forest Discovery Trail which traverses through the forest to the highest point on the Cradle of Forestry’s 6,500 acres. This 1.3-mile trail offers a peaceful walk through nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Cradle of Forestry is great for kids! There are trails to explore, a helicopter simulator, nature exhibits and a fun gift shop. It’s a great thing to do with kids near Brevard.
Yes, the Cradle of Forestry is stroller-friendly. The trails are all paved and easily accessible.
Admission ranges from $4 (ages 4-12) to $8 (13+). Children 3 and under are free. There is a $4 reduced admission fee for Federal America the Beautiful Passholders.
The Cradle of Forestry is not free, but there are fee-free days on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Buncombe and Transylvania residents can also access it for free with a ZOOM Pass.
Yes, well-behaved and leashed dogs are allowed at the Cradle of Forestry. Dogs are not allowed at special evening events, though.
