Guide to Spring in Pisgah National Forest and Brevard NC

 

Springtime in Brevard and Transylvania County, North Carolina is pure magic. With more than 250 waterfalls nearby and miles of trails through Pisgah National Forest, it’s one of the best seasons for hiking, waterfall viewing, fly fishing, kayaking, and outdoor festivals. As wildflowers bloom across the forest floor, visitors can enjoy some of the most scenic landscapes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This guide will help you plan the perfect spring adventure in Pisgah.

Trees & Wildflowers

Trees in Western North Carolina start to leaf out in April and May, and the wildflowers…where do we begin? With more than 1,600 blooming plants in these mountains, we have one of the best climates in the world for wildflower blooming. March is the start of the Spring bloom season, with most of our notable, awe-inspiring, and spectacular shows of color happening between April and June. You can even expect to see things in bloom as late as October in our temperate climate! Here are some of the most commonly-known blooms you can find here in the Pisgah area month-by-month in Spring (some bloom for much longer than the typical starting month listed here):

• March: daffodils, irises, buttercups, and yellow violets
• April: dogwood, trillium, redwoods, tulip
• May: crabapple, mountain laurel, flame azalea, violets, and magnolia
• June: pink and white rhododendrons

Spring Hikes & Outings

• Cradle of Forestry in America opens again for the season in April. This heritage site is the birthplace of science-based forest management. Programs include interactive exhibits, drama, interpretive trails, nature programs, guided tours, crafts, and more
• Pink Beds is actually named for its springtime array of brilliant pink blooms and is an excellent hike or trail run to do this season. This is a relatively flat loop hike across a mountain bog. It’s a pretty spectacular Spring outing and is located right next to the Cradle of Forestry. Directions can be found here. 
• If you decide to venture up to Asheville, try the Biltmore Estate (here’s an excellent guide to the blooms you can expect to see there throughout the year) and the North Carolina Arboretum for their incredible gardens.
• Take a ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the overlooks. Much of the Parkway closes during the Winter, but most sections reopen by May, and some earlier. The National Park Service updates this list of parkway openings and closures daily, so that before you head out for the day you can make sure you’re in for gorgeous overlooks and a relaxing drive instead of a “Road Closed” sign.
• Enjoy some of the best sunsets in Western North Carolina. Mild Spring temperatures mean a more comfortable experience when the sun drops below the horizon! Here are a few spots for prime sunset viewing, and there are plenty close to Pilot Cove as well.

Spring Activities 

• Fly fishing: Spring is an incredible time for fly fishing in the area, especially because scheduled stream stocking usually happens around March. Here’s our guide to fly fishing near Pilot Cove and Brevard.
• Waterfalls: With Spring showers comes excellent water flow. This can create ideal days to view our many waterfalls in the area. Looking for waterfall hikes near Pilot Cove? Here are some ideas to get you started.
• Kayaking: Due to high water levels, it’s also a great season for kayaking in our area! Check out our guide to water sports in Transylvania County.
• Mountain biking and road cycling: You’ll experience great temperatures for biking on our mountain roads and trails during Spring! Check out our guide to biking near Pilot Cove.
• Dine out, shop, and explore Brevard and the surrounding area: Here are some ideas to get you started. Plenty of our local restaurants are currently open (make sure to call ahead to confirm) or have takeout options. Or stay in and cook in your fully-equipped Pilot Cove cabin’s kitchen! Area stores include outfitters, art galleries, gift shops, and much more.
• Hiking, rock climbing, and so much more is always in season in Pisgah. Explore our guides to your year-round options here.

Spring & Early Summer Events

• Forks of the River Fly Fishing & Music Festival: An annual event in Brevard that kicks off the spring season in March. It brings anglers and outdoor enthusiasts together along the French Broad River for fly-fishing clinics, gear vendors, educational seminars, and live bluegrass music.
• North Fork Festival: Celebrate the region’s river culture at this late-March event featuring live music, outdoor clinics, vendors, and family-friendly activities honoring the North Fork of the French Broad River.
• Mountain Biking and Cycling Events: Check out the Pisgah Stage Race in April and a number of other race season events over at Pisgah Productions. Around the same time, cyclists from across the region gather in Brevard for the Assault on the Carolinas, a challenging and scenic 50K and 100K ride benefiting the Pisgah Forest Rotary Club.
• Smoky Mountain Relay: An annual team running event at the end of April, where groups of 6, 9, or 12 runners tackle a challenging 208-mile relay from Pisgah National Forest near Brevard to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, passing through scenic mountain terrain, forest roads, and sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
• WNC Bike Fest: Each May, cyclists from across the region gather in Brevard for a fun, community-driven event with group rides, bike demos, vendors, and festivities celebrating Western North Carolina’s world-class trails.
• White Squirrel Festival: This fun, 3-day street festival, presented by DD Bullwinkel’s Outdoors, is held annually in May in downtown Brevard. It honors its namesake with free concerts, a Memorial Day parade, street festival, food and art vendors, and more.
• Shindig on Main & Fireworks Extravaganza: This family-friendly celebration of Independence Day in downtown Brevard features a patriotic flag-raising ceremony, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by local elected officials, food trucks, live music, and entertainment throughout the day, followed by a breathtaking display of fireworks after dark.
• Asheville Yoga Festival: Local and nationally-acclaimed instructors come together in July for a 4-day yoga and music experience, offering more than 90 practices, including yoga, meditation, outdoor recreation, and more.
• Explore the Brevard events calendar
• Learn more about Brevard and all it has to offer

However you choose to spend your days when you’re visiting Pisgah in the Spring, we know you’ll have no shortage of options! We look forward to seeing you at Pilot Cove.