Brevard is a small mountain town in Transylvania County, about 35 minutes south of Asheville. It calls itself the Land of Waterfalls for good reason. There are more than 250 waterfalls within the county lines. Most of the big ones are right off the road or a short walk from a parking area. Add in a great craft beer scene, a James Beard worthy food scene, and easy access to two of the best state forests in North Carolina, and Brevard is one of the best places to spend a weekend in western NC.
It also has one more thing most towns don't: white squirrels. Yes, real albino adjacent white squirrels live here in the hundreds. They are everywhere downtown and the locals are very proud of them.
The Waterfalls
Looking Glass Falls
This is the one everyone comes for. Looking Glass Falls drops 60 feet off a wide rock face right next to US 276. You can see it from the road, park in the small lot, and walk down a short set of steps to the base. The falls are free to visit. The water stays cold all year and the swimming hole at the base is popular in summer. Get there early on weekends or you will be competing for parking.
Location: US 276, Pisgah Forest, about 4 miles north of the Ranger Station. Open year round. Free admission.
Sliding Rock
A 60 foot natural water slide over a slick rock face into an 8 foot swimming hole. This is one of the most unique swimming spots in NC. The water comes off the mountains and is cold even in July. Kids love it. Adults love it. Wear something you do not mind scraping against rock. Full services with lifeguards run Memorial Day through Labor Day. Outside that window you can still visit but there are no lifeguards on duty.
Location: US 276, about 7.5 miles north of Brevard. Staffed Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 AM–6 PM. Small fee during staffed season.
DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont has a different feel than Pisgah. The forest is quieter, more open, and the trails wind between multiple waterfalls. Triple Falls is the most famous, partly because it was used as a filming location for the Hunger Games. High Falls and Hooker Falls are also great. Most of the trail network is open and well maintained. Note that as of early 2026, the Grassy Creek Bridge in the forest is still under repair from Hurricane Helene, check the NC Forest Service website for current closures before you go.
Location: Main entrance at 89 Buck Forest Rd, Cedar Mountain NC (about 10 miles from downtown Brevard). Free admission. Check ncagr.gov for trail closure updates before visiting.
Graveyard Fields
Graveyard Fields is technically on the Blue Ridge Parkway rather than in Brevard, but it is only about 20 minutes east and worth including here. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding hikes on the whole Parkway. The loop trail passes two waterfalls through a high elevation meadow that looks incredible in fall. Read the full Graveyard Fields guide for the complete trail breakdown.
Where To Eat in Brevard
Square Root
Square Root is the best restaurant in Brevard and one of the better ones in all of western NC. It sits at the end of a quiet alley off the main street in a restored historic building. The menu focuses on local ingredients and mountain cuisine done right. The NC Mountain Trout with crawfish and pimento cheese grits is what people talk about. Book ahead for dinner. Open Tuesday through Saturday.
The Falls Landing
Brevard's other landmark restaurant. The Falls Landing has been on East Main Street since 1993 and it is still one of the best spots in town for a proper sit down dinner. Seafood and local proteins, nothing fussy, very well executed. Dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Lunch on Thursday and Friday only.
Vescovo Neighborhood Eatery
A newer addition to downtown Brevard and one of the most talked about restaurants in Transylvania County right now. Italian focused, small menu, very high quality. The kind of place that could easily exist in Asheville or Chapel Hill. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. Go early or make a reservation.
Smokey Sunrise
The best breakfast in downtown Brevard. Located right on West Main Street, this spot opened in 2024 and quickly became a local favorite. Expect a line on weekends. Open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 8 AM.
Bracken Mountain Bakery
A downtown Brevard staple on South Broad Street. Great pastries, fresh bread, good coffee. A reliable morning stop before heading into the forest. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 AM.
Breweries in Brevard
Brevard punches well above its size when it comes to craft beer. The town has five operating breweries, most of them walkable from downtown. A half day brewery tour here is very doable.
Brevard Brewing Company
The original. Brevard Brewing opened in 2012 and is right on East Main Street in the heart of downtown. They specialize in lagers and pilsners, which is unusual for NC craft brewing. It gives the taproom a European feel. Great spot to start or end a day in the forest.
Oskar Blues Brewery
The Colorado brewery chose Brevard for its East Coast production facility. Their Tasty Weasel taproom is a large, fun space out on Mountain Industrial Drive with a food truck on site. If you know Oskar Blues from their cans, coming to the source is worth it. Open daily from noon.
Ecusta Brewing
Set on the grounds of the historic Ecusta Paper Mill, this brewery has one of the coolest settings in the region. The old mill buildings are beautiful and the taproom has an industrial character that feels unique. Gordingo's Tex Mex kitchen is on site for food. Out on Ecusta Road, about 5 minutes from downtown.
Griffon and Sphynx
Brevard's newest brewery on King Street and already getting a lot of attention. Award winning brewmaster behind the operation. Worth stopping in if you are doing a full brewery crawl through downtown.
Noblebräu / 185 King Street
A brewery and live music venue on King Street. This is the late night option in Brevard. Live music most nights and a laid back vibe. Good for drinks after dinner.
Things To Do Downtown
The White Squirrels
You cannot visit Brevard without seeing the white squirrels. The best place to find them is the Brevard College campus on North Broad Street. Silvermont Park and Franklin Park in town are also reliable spots. Roughly one in three squirrels in Brevard is white. They are wild animals so they are not guaranteed, but your odds here are genuinely high.
Brevard Music Center
One of the premier outdoor music venues in the Southeast. The summer season runs from late June through early August. The 2026 season includes Yo Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, and other world class performers. Lawn tickets are affordable and the setting is beautiful. If your trip falls during the season, this is worth planning around. Check brevardmusic.org for the schedule.
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
A free wildlife education facility inside Pisgah National Forest, next to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery. Outdoor and indoor exhibits on Appalachian Mountain wildlife. Great for families and a nice stop before or after a waterfall hike. Open weekdays 8 AM to 4:45 PM.
Downtown Shopping
Brevard's downtown is compact and walkable. The White Squirrel Shoppe on West Main is exactly what it sounds like. There are several independent bookshops, art galleries, and outdoor gear stores within a few blocks of each other. Plan an hour to walk it before or after dinner.
Getting to Brevard
Brevard is 35 minutes south of Asheville on US 64 West. It makes a good day trip from Asheville or a standalone weekend base. If you are coming from Charlotte, it is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The town is small and most things are walkable from the main street. You will need a car to reach the waterfalls and DuPont, but the drives are short and scenic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brevard NC known for?
Brevard is known as the Land of Waterfalls. Transylvania County has more than 250 waterfalls. The town is also famous for its white squirrel population, the Brevard Music Center summer festival, and easy access to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest.
How far is Brevard from Asheville?
Brevard is about 35 minutes south of Asheville. It makes an easy day trip or a great base for exploring Pisgah National Forest.
Is Looking Glass Falls free?
Yes. Looking Glass Falls is free to visit and is right off US 276 with a small parking area. You can see the falls from the road or walk down the steps to the creek.
When is Sliding Rock open?
Sliding Rock is open year round, but lifeguards and full services run Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 AM to 6 PM. Outside that window, you can visit but there are no lifeguards on duty.
Brevard is one of those towns that surprises you. It is small and quiet but it has the waterfalls, the food, the beer, and the music. Give it a full weekend and you will see why people keep coming back.