The Folk Art Center offers sales and exhibits of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Appalachian Region. Interpretive programs are offered in addition to a gallery and library.

Trails

Accessible from the Folk Art Center is a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail.

Southern Highlands Folk Art Center

The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild operates the Allanstand gift shop and sponsors year-round demonstrations of traditional and contemporary crafts.

Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters

The headquarters of the Parkway are located in the BB&T Building in downtown Asheville. Visitors are welcome.

382.6 - U.S. 70, right 5 mi. to Oteen and Asheville; left 9 mi. to Black Mountain
383.5 - Swannanoa River, elev.2040
384.7 - U.S. 74, right 5 mi. to Asheville; left 17 mi. to Bat Cave
386.9 - Biltmore Estate reservoir
388.85 - U.S. 25, right 5 mi. to Asheville; left 16 mi. to Hendersonville
393.5 - French Broad River, elev. 2000
393.6 - N.C. 191 & 280, right 9 mi. to Asheville
393.8 - French Broad parking overlook, elev. 2100.
395.1 - Glenn Gap, elev. 2495
396.4 - Walnut Cove parking overlook, elev. 2915
396.8 - Reynolds Gap, elev. 2865
397.1 - Grassy Knob Tunnel, 600ft. long
397.3 - Sleepy Gap parking overlook, elev. 3920
398.3 - Chestnut Grove parking overlook, elev. 3035.
399.3 -Pine Mountain Tunnel, 1320 ft. long
399.7 - Bad Fork Valley parking overlook, elev. 3350
400.3 - Bent Creek Gap, elev. 3270. U.S.F.S. road
400.9 - Ferrin Knob Tunnel No.1, Trace Ridge, 360 ft. long
401.1 - Wash Creek Valley parking overlook
401.3 - Ferrin Knob Tunnel No.2, 310 ft. long
401.5 - Ferrin Knob Tunnel No.3, 230 ft. long
401.7 - Beaver Dam Gap parking overlook, elev. 3570
402.6 - Stony Bald parking overlook, elev. 3750
403.0 - Young Pisgah Ridge Tunnel, 400 ft. long
403.6 - Big Ridge parking overlook, elev. 3815
403.9 - Fort Mountain Tunnel, 350 ft. long
404.2 - Standhill Mountain parking overlook, elev. 3975
404.5 - Mills Valley parking overlook, elev. 4085
405.5 - Elk Pasture Gap (formerly Cutthroat Gap), elev. 4235
406.9 - Little Pisgah Tunnel, 500 ft. long
407.4 - Buck Springs Tunnel, 380 ft. long
407.6 - Mount Pisgah parking area
407.7 - Buck Springs Gap parking overlook, elev. 4980
407.8 - Mount Pisgah picnic area with 50 sites
408.4 - Flat Laurel Gap, elev. 4925

408.6 -Pisgah Inn

At almost 5,000 feet, the Pisgah Inn offers views and solitude like no other place on the Parkway. Offering 52 rooms, a restaurant, and gift shop, the Inn is also the starting point for two short trails.

Restaurant

Adjacent to the Pisgah Inn, the popular Pisgah Inn Restaurant features country ham and mountain trout.

Mile 408.6 - Mount Pisgah

In the late 1800's industrialist George Washington Vanderbilt, while building his grand Biltmore Estate in Asheville, purchased Mount Pisgah and thousands of surrounding acres for a private hunting retreat for family and friends. The nearby 16-mile Shut-In Trail (a National Recreation Trail) is part of a longer route that Vanderbilt originally created for his hunting parties.

Today the area adjoining the Parkway is part of the Pisgah National Forest and is still playing host to nature enthusiasts. Equipped with lodge, restaurant, campground, and more, Mount Pisgah has the distinction of having by far the highest elevation of any developed area along the Parkway. Be aware of rapidly changing weather conditions.

Campground

The concessions-operated campground (milepost 408.7) has sites for 70 tents and 67 trailers. Facilities include water, comfort stations with flush toilets and sinks but no showers or hook-ups.

Trails

There are several trails in the Mount Pisgah area. The Mt. Pisgah and Frying Pan Mountain Trails reward the intrepid hiker with spectacular views. The shorter Buck Spring Trail begins at the Inn and also affords beautiful views. Sections of the sometimes strenuous Shut-In Trail are also readily accessible.

Cradle of Forestry in America

A National Historic Site dating from a century ago, this fascinating old school is located just four miles off the Parkway on U.S. Route 276 (access milepost 411.8). Established by G.W. Vanderbilt, the Biltmore Forest School was the first forestry school in this country, operating from 1898 to 1913. Today it continues to teach visitors about forestry in America, offering a visitor center, exhibits, movie, and interpretive trails.

409.3 - Tunnel Top parking overlook, elev. 4925
409.6 - Frying Pan Gap, elev. 4931.

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