Brevard & NC's Land of Waterfalls

Celebrated as North Carolina’s Land of the Waterfalls, Brevard and Transylvania County have much more than gorgeous cascades. Their All-American Main Street is full of local shops, galleries and great restaurants. A stately courthouse sits on the square with a gazebo where community concerts are held. Located between Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest and Gorges State Park, Brevard affords visitors endless outdoor adventures, including hiking, mountain biking, waterfall hunting, fly fishing and much more.

Known as one of the top mountain biking destinations in the US, Brevard sports 300 miles of epic single track in the pristine forests throughout Transylvania County.  A destination for cyclists of all types, the area is also known for its road cycling and excellent cycling shops, where guides and gear are always available.

Downtown hosts several fun festivals throughout the year, including The White Squirrel Festival, Halloweenfest and Twilight Tour, but visitors can find much to explore year-round. Favorite stops include O.P. Taylor toy store on the square and D.D. Bullwinkle's General Store.

Brevard’s most famous local residents are its white squirrels. These special little creatures have flourished in Brevard since arriving by way of a visiting carnival in the early 1950s.  You might catch a glimpse of them as they scurry around the local trees especially on the Brevard College Campus. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir! ​

At Rocky’s Grill and Soda Shop (50 South Broad St), patrons sit at the 1941 lunch counter to enjoy old-fashioned soda fountain creations, including milkshakes, malts and their famous Pimento Cheese, a family recipe.

Brevard is located along scenic Highway 64. It's a popular hub for exploring Pisgah National Forest. Much of the area is a temperate rain forest with 90+ inches of rain a year, hence 250 waterfalls. The most visited waterfall is Looking Glass Falls (pic) and summer favorite Sliding Rock.

Hike to the top of iconic Looking Glass Rock or to the stunning waterfalls of DuPont State Forest.

To find more nearby hiking and waterfalls nearby, see our Pisgah Forest Waterfall & Hiking Map.

Head west on Highway 64 toward Cashiers for Lake Toxaway, Gorges State Park and the Nantahala National Forest, home to Panthertown Valley and Schoolhouse Falls.

For a small mountain town, Brevard has a larger than average share of culture. It is home to the world-renowned Brevard Music Center and its extaordinary Summer Music Festival, the Porter Center for Performing Arts at Brevard College, and a vibrant live music community.

PARI (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute) is an internationally known science and space learning center located near Brevard in Pisgah National Forest. Visit and tour this former NASA campus with space artifacts, minerals, meteorites and events for stargazing.  Read all about PARI.

Go to the Explore Brevard Website to discover many more exciting things to do. 

Directions from Asheville: I-26 to exit 40/Highway 280/Airport exit toward Brevard. Downtown Brevard is 33 miles from Downtown Asheville. For a super scenic drive, take the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway from Brevard to or from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

See more of our Coolest NC Mountain Small Towns. Hendersonville is 20 miles east and Cashiers is 28 miles west.