Naventure at Pisgah National Forest

08/24/2026

Crews are in the final sprint to reopen the Davidson River Campground!

Weather permitting, our contractor will continue asphalt paving through September, with a goal of reopening by October 1, or sooner if conditions allow. We’re excited to welcome visitors back to this beloved campground just in time for leaf season. 🍂

Recent heavy rainfall across Western North Carolina created unexpected challenges for the construction team, despite their best efforts to stay on schedule. With improving weather in the forecast for September, crews will be working hard to ensure the campground is ready for fall.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this important project. We look forward to seeing you back at Davidson River Campground soon!

Naventure at Pisgah National Forest

08/24/2026

Happy Memories Monday!

This week, we're looking back at swimmers enjoying themselves at the beach area of Lake Powhatan in the Powhatan Recreation Area. The retaining wall and sand beach seen in this historic photo were built by corpsmen from Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, creating a space that has welcomed visitors for generations.

While the beach has long been a favorite feature, Lake Powhatan has always been much more than a swimming destination. Located in the heart of the Bent Creek area near Asheville, the recreation area offers something for nearly every outdoor enthusiast. Visitors can enjoy hiking and mountain biking on some of the region's most popular trails, spend a quiet afternoon fishing, camp beneath the forest canopy, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery.

Lake Powhatan is also uniquely situated next to two of the area's most treasured resources. The North Carolina Arboretum is just around the corner, offering beautiful gardens, exhibits, and trails, while the surrounding Bent Creek Experimental Forest has played an important role in forest research and conservation for nearly a century. Together, these destinations make the area a hub for recreation, education, and exploration.

Whether you're hitting the trails, casting a line, visiting the Arboretum, or making new memories with family and friends, Lake Powhatan remains one of Pisgah's most beloved gathering places.

Do you have a favorite Lake Powhatan memory? We'd love to hear it in the comments!

08/03/2026

Happy Memories Monday!

This historic photo from 1967 is captioned: "Forest visitors sliding down Sliding Rock Falls on Looking-glass Creek. This is one of the most popular recreation spots on the Forest during the summer months."

Nearly 60 years later, not much has changed about one important fact: Sliding Rock remains one of the most popular places to cool off in Pisgah National Forest.

Visitors familiar with Sliding Rock today may notice a few differences in the photo. The observation deck, improved walkways, parking areas, bathhouses, water safety staff, and other modern amenities had not yet been built. In this photo, people can be seen standing along the rock and creek banks where today's viewing areas help provide safer access and better views for visitors.

This photo is a wonderful reminder that generations of families have made memories at Sliding Rock. From the 1960s to today, it has remained a summertime tradition for locals and visitors alike.

Looking for a way to beat the summer heat? Head on up to Sliding Rock!

07/27/2026

Happy Memories Monday!🦌🌲

This week, we step deep into the backcountry of Pisgah National Forest for a glimpse at a very different hunting experience. This photograph is captioned:

"The Cantrell Creek Wilderness Hunt camp in the Pisgah National Forest where hundreds of hunters are taking part in the fourth public big game hunt, located in Turkey Pen Gap high in the heart of Pisgah National Forest. This camp is reached only after a five-mile hike. All provisions and equipment must be packed in. This wilderness hunt is set aside by the U.S. Forest Service so that sportsmen in groups of 25 may hunt for an entire week in this primitive area. They are thrown entirely on their own, the only restrictions being that the kill is limited to one deer or bear per hunter."

The scene shows a sprawling camp of canvas tents tucked away in the mountains, far from roads and modern conveniences. Reaching the camp required a five-mile hike, and every piece of gear, food item, and supply had to be carried in by hand. For the hunters who made the trek, the journey was just as much a part of the experience as the hunt itself.

During the mid-20th century, wilderness hunts such as these offered participants the opportunity to experience Pisgah in a truly primitive setting. Hunters spent a week in the backcountry, relying on their own skills, preparation, and teamwork while immersed in some of the most remote areas of the forest.

Turkey Pen Gap and the surrounding country remain known today for their rugged terrain and spectacular scenery. Looking at this photograph, it's remarkable to imagine dozens of canvas tents scattered across the mountainside and the effort required to establish a temporary community so deep in the forest.

While equipment and outdoor technology have changed dramatically over the years, the appeal of Pisgah's wild places remains much the same. This photo serves as a reminder of a time when adventure often began with a long hike, a heavy pack, and a week spent off the grid in the heart of the mountains.

Have you ever camped in the backcountry of Pisgah? Share your memories with us below!

07/27/2026

Now Hiring: Campground Host at Lake Powhatan! 🌲

Love the outdoors and want to be part of a team that keeps one of Pisgah National Forest’s most beautiful recreation areas running smoothly? We’re looking for an on‑site Campground Host to join us at Lake Powhatan.

This role is all about welcoming guests, supporting daily campground operations, and helping maintain a safe, family‑friendly environment. If you enjoy working outside, staying active, and connecting with visitors, this could be a great fit.

🚐 Includes a complimentary full‑hookup RV site
🗓️ Part‑time, seasonal schedule
🌿 Meaningful work in a stunning location

Interested? Apply here at www.naventure.com/work-with-us

07/21/2026

Happy Memories Monday (on a Tuesday)!

This week, we're taking a look behind the scenes of forest management in the days before computers, GPS, and GIS mapping software.

This photograph is captioned: "Timber stand mapping project - Pisgah & Nantahala National Forests. Forest Officer transfers Stand Map information from aerial photos to base map by means of Sketchmaster."

In the image, a forest officer can be seen studying aerial photographs while carefully transferring information onto a stand map by hand, a process that required both technical knowledge and a keen eye for detail.

The device visible to the man's right, known as a Sketchmaster, helped foresters transfer features from aerial photographs onto maps with remarkable accuracy for its time. Using a system of lenses and mirrors, the Sketchmaster allowed users to compare photographs and maps side by side, tracing roads, streams, forest boundaries, and other important features. Aerial photography revolutionized forestry in the 20th century, allowing large areas of forest to be studied from above rather than entirely on foot. Tools like the Sketchmaster helped transform those photographs into practical information that could be used in the field.

What makes this photo so fascinating is that it captures a time when forestry was both a science and an art. Every line on the map was carefully interpreted and drawn by hand, helping tell the story of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests long before digital mapping existed.

The next time you pull up a map on your phone in Pisgah, take a moment to appreciate the generations of foresters who helped map these mountains by hand, laying the groundwork for the tools we rely on today! 🗺️🌲

07/15/2026

Quick reminder: Don’t move the rocks!

Stacking or shifting rocks in the river can damage habitat, harm wildlife, change stream flow, and stir up sediment that makes it harder for aquatic animals to breathe.

Fish, salamanders, insects — so many species rely on the spaces between those rocks to survive.

We appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep the ecosystem strong and our river wildlife healthy!

07/13/2026

Happy Memories Monday!

Have you ever driven into Davidson River Campground and wondered about the facility on the left? That's the Schenck Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, a place with a long and fascinating history of conservation, education, and community service. Established in the mid-1960s as part of the Job Corps program, Schenck was created to provide young adults with education and career training while supporting important conservation projects throughout Pisgah National Forest. Students helped with reforestation efforts, stream improvement projects, trail construction, wildlife habitat work, and even assisted with the development of the Cradle of Forestry.

Named in honor of Dr. Carl Schenck, founder of the Biltmore Forest School and one of the pioneers of American forestry, the center continues that tradition today by training future conservation professionals, including wildland firefighters and forestry technicians

This photograph is captioned "Baseball game between Schenck and Arrowwood Job Corps Centers." While Job Corps students were busy learning skills and working on projects that benefited the forest and surrounding communities, there was always time for recreation and friendly competition.

Baseball was a perfect pastime in Pisgah. It brought people together, built camaraderie, and offered a chance to unwind after a hard day's work. Games like this helped create lasting friendships and a sense of community while surrounded by the beauty of the mountains.

The next time you pass Schenck on your way to Davidson River Campground, remember that behind those buildings is a legacy of conservation, education, and stories like this one that helped shape Pisgah for generations.

07/06/2026

Happy Memories Monday!

This week, we head up into the mountains to one of Pisgah’s most beloved destinations: Sliding Rock!

This photo, taken in 1959, is captioned: “Sliding Rock Falls in Looking Glass Creek in the early morning before it fills up with recreationists.” Even then, it was clear that Sliding Rock was a special place. This natural waterslide has been attracting locals and visitors for generations, offering a refreshing way to experience the cool mountain waters of Looking Glass Creek.

Fun fact: Back when this photo was taken, you may have been just as likely to see swimmers wearing blue jeans as swim trunks. The rough nature of the rock often led visitors to choose sturdier clothing for the ride down the slick granite slide.

What you don't see in this image are many of the amenities' visitors have come to expect today. As visitation increased over the years, the need for improved facilities became apparent. New parking areas and restrooms were added, followed by upgraded access paths, viewing areas, and seasonal water safety personnel. These improvements helped accommodate the growing popularity of the site while enhancing the visitor experience.

While much has changed since 1959, the thrill of sliding down 60 feet of smooth mountain rock into the chilly pool below remains much the same. Today, Sliding Rock continues to attract thousands of visitors each year and remains one of the most iconic recreation destinations in Pisgah National Forest.

Have you ever taken the plunge? Share your favorite memories in the comments!

07/03/2026