Surrounded by the gentle grace of the Smoky Mountains, Transylvania truly has something for everyone: 250 waterfalls, hundreds of acres of state and national forests, a thriving music and arts community, and fantastic shopping and dining in a charming Appalachian town. Visit, and you'll understand why Rand McNally, The Wall Street Journal and National Geographic Traveler name this area one of America's top ten places to live and play. If you are looking for an adventurous outdoor vacation, Transylvania has all the adventure you can handle - all within minutes of great lodging and dining.
You'll discover hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Over a third of the county is covered by Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest and Gorges State Park. For more excitement, join rock-climbing enthusiasts and scale the faces of Devil's Courthouse and Looking Glass Rock or try flying through the trees on a local ropes course.
Make sure to visit the Forest Discovery Center at the Cradle of Forestry and the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Both of these attractions feature interactive exhibits, workshops and events to explore the outdoors. If you feel the need to cool off, try canoeing, kayaking, or inner-tubing on one of our many rivers, or take an exhilarating ride down Sliding Rock.
Transylvania is also home to some of the best fly-fishing in the country. Area streams are stocked with trout from the Pisgah Fish Hatchery. The Davidson River, ranked as one of America's top 100 trout streams, is a favorite among fly fishermen. You can catch trophy muskie or small mouth bass in the French Broad River.