MOUNT PISGAH Milepost 408.6

Places to Stay Places to Visit Things to Do

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.

Places to Stay:

• 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. For further information call (828) 235-8228.
• 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.

Places to Visit:

• Camp Store/service station/gift shop - Open during summer months.
• Picnic Area - There is a 50-site picnic area located at milepost 407.8.
• Restaurant - Adjacent to the Pisgah Inn, the popular Pisgah Inn Restaurant features country ham and mountain trout.

Things to Do:

• Interpretive Programs - Evening interpretive programs are given at the campground during the summer months.
• 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.