Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
Cradle of Forestry in America, NC

Located in the Pisgah National Forest, the Cradle of Forestry in America is an information and discovery center dedicated to the beginning of forestry in the United States.

The Cradle of Forestry is the site of the first forestry school in America – the Biltmore Forest School, founded in 1898 by Dr. Carl Schenck, chief forester for George Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate. Until 1913, this school taught the new science of caring for forests.

Today, the Cradle of Forestry includes several enticing activities for visitors to western North Carolina. Visitors will learn all about the forest through informational movies, programs, and special events. Hikes and trails around the facility lead to historic buildings and to scenic places in the forest. Discover the roots of the forest at the Cradle of Forestry.