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Holmes Educational State Forest
What you need to know
Holmes Educational State Forest is a free N.C. Forest Service forest with hiking trails, picnic grounds and nature exhibits on Crab Creek Road west of Hendersonville, about 35 miles from Asheville. Trails run from the flat half-mile Crab Creek Trail, past a retired Forest Service helicopter and the 1929 Spivey fire tower, to the strenuous Demonstration Trail loop that climbs the ridge to an overlook. On the Talking Tree Trail you press a button and the trees tell you about themselves. There are picnic tables, grills and a big picnic shelter with a stone fireplace. It's open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, plus Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm from March through October.
Local's Tip
Come on a weekday morning for the quietest trails. Bikes and horses aren't allowed but leashed dogs are, and you can call 828-692-0100 to reserve the picnic shelter for a group.
What the locals say
Local families come back for the talking trees and the helicopter, and regulars like it as a quieter hike than DuPont State Recreational Forest down the road.
What you need to know
Holmes Educational State Forest is a free N.C. Forest Service forest with hiking trails, picnic grounds and nature exhibits on Crab Creek Road west of Hendersonville, about 35 miles from Asheville. Trails run from the flat half-mile Crab Creek Trail, past a retired Forest Service helicopter and the 1929 Spivey fire tower, to the strenuous Demonstration Trail loop that climbs the ridge to an overlook. On the Talking Tree Trail you press a button and the trees tell you about themselves. There are picnic tables, grills and a big picnic shelter with a stone fireplace. It's open Tuesday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, plus Saturday and Sunday 11am to 6pm from March through October.
What the locals say
Local families come back for the talking trees and the helicopter, and regulars like it as a quieter hike than DuPont State Recreational Forest down the road.
Scoops for Holmes Educational State Forest