If your kids love waterfalls and being outside, this is one of the most fun mountain trips you can take.
If you’re planning a mountain getaway packed with waterfalls, outdoor adventure, and kid-friendly hiking, Brevard, North Carolina is hard to beat.
Known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” this area is home to hundreds of waterfalls, plus easy access to Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest and Asheville, NC—making it one of the best destinations for families who love being outside.
In this guide, we’re sharing the best things to do in Brevard, NC with kids, along with tips to help you plan your trip and make the most of your time.
If you’re exploring this area of North Carolina, Brevard pairs really well with nearby destinations like Highlands and Asheville. While they’re all similar in that they offer waterfalls, hiking, and beautiful mountain scenery, each one has its own feel and unique spots to explore.
The best part is that they’re all within driving distance of each other, so you can easily mix and match them into one trip depending on how much time you have.
Quick Guide to Brevard NC with Kids
- Best for: Outdoor-loving families
- Top activities: Waterfalls, Sliding Rock, hiking
- Best ages: 5+ (some hikes better for older kids)
- Trip length: 2–4 days
- Vibe: More adventurous and nature-focused than Asheville
Best Things to Do in Brevard by Age
One thing we’ve learned with a big family is that not every activity works for every age and we had kids from ages 0-12! Here’s a quick breakdown to help you plan:
Toddlers / Younger Kids:
- Hooker Falls
- Moore Cove Falls
- Triple Falls
- High Falls
- Picnic spots and easy trails
Younger Elementary (5+):
- Sliding Rock (watching or trying if comfortable)
- Lower Falls (Graveyard Fields)
- Skinny Dip Falls
- Rainbow Falls
- Longer hikes and more adventurous swimming spots
👉 Mixing a few of these each day helped us keep everyone happy.
Where We Stayed in Brevard, NC
While the rental home we stayed in is no longer available for guests, the Connestee Falls community offered more than just a place to sleep—it came with several amenities that kept the whole family entertained. The community features:
- Multiple hiking trails weaving through lush forests
- Several lakes with kayaking and boating access
- A swimming pool for relaxing after a day of exploring
One of the best parts of our stay was the fully equipped kitchen and propane grill. We cooked the majority of our meals in the VRBO and packed lunches for our day trips and hikes. This made it easy to save time, enjoy family meals together, and fuel up before waterfall adventures or scenic drives. Staying in a private mountain community gave us the perfect balance of privacy, convenience, and access to activities for everyone in the family.
What We Ate in Brevard with Kids
With a big group and a lot of younger kids, we kept meals pretty simple during our trip to Brevard—and honestly, that ended up being one of our favorite parts.
Most of our meals were at home. We packed lunches and would either eat roadside between stops or find a picnic spot near a waterfall or trail. It made the days feel easy and flexible, and the kids loved it.
Dinner was usually back at the house—grilling, sitting outside, and just being together. Some of our favorite memories from the trip were the simple moments like playing board games, having campfires, and taking evening walks.
That said, Brevard also has a really cute, walkable downtown with plenty of casual, family-friendly spots if you want to eat out. We’ve stopped at Big Mike’s Pizza and Brevard Brewing Company to grab a beer.
👉 For us, the best balance was mixing a few meals out with simple, relaxed meals back at the house.
Best Swimming Holes vs Waterfall Views in Brevard NC
Brevard is surrounded by incredible trails and is often called the “Land of Waterfalls,” with amazing spots in DuPont State Recreational Forest, Gorges State Park, Pisgah National Forest, and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
With so many options, it can feel a little overwhelming—but one thing we quickly learned is that not all waterfalls are meant for swimming. Knowing which ones are best for playing in the water versus just enjoying the view makes it much easier to plan your days with kids.
With so many waterfalls close together, we’ve found it works best to pick 2–3 stops per day and leave time to just enjoy them.
💦 Best Waterfalls for Swimming
If you’re visiting in the summer, these are our favorite spots where kids can actually get in the water and cool off.
Hooker Falls (Best Waterfall for Swimming in Brevard)
- This is a great easy stop. It’s a short, mostly flat trail (about 0.8 miles round trip) that leads to a beautiful waterfall with a large swimming area at the base.
- We ended up spending a few hours here just playing in the water and hanging out—it’s one of those spots that’s easy to linger at.
- There’s a large parking lot, which is nice, but it’s also a very popular spot and can get crowded, especially during peak times. If you can, try to go earlier in the day.
Sliding Rock – Natural waterslide in Pisgah National Forest (cold but fun!)
- This is one of the most popular spots in the Brevard area—a natural rock waterslide that drops into a cold pool at the bottom.
- We actually didn’t slide ourselves, just walked up and watched, but it still gave us a good feel for it. It looks like a lot of fun, especially for more adventurous kids. One thing to know—the line can get pretty long during peak times.
- The water is definitely cold (even in summer), but that’s part of the experience.
- It’s an easy stop with a short walk from the parking lot, but we’d recommend going early or later in the day to avoid crowds. There is a fee and an attendant on site to keep things moving.
- 👉 Best for kids who are comfortable in the water and up for a little adventure.
Skinny Dip Falls (Hidden Swimming Hole in Pisgah National Forest)
- This is one of those hidden gem spots in Pisgah that feels a little more adventurous, but still really fun for families. It’s a short hike to a natural swimming hole with a waterfall, and it’s a great place to cool off on a warm day.
- The swimming hole was a highlight for us—there are different height rocks that older kids (and adults) can jump off, which makes it feel like a fun, active stop. The pool also flows into a creek area where younger kids can walk around, splash, and play more safely.
- It’s definitely a spot you can spend some time at, just hanging out and enjoying the water. The only thing to keep in mind—the water is cold! But on a hot day, that’s part of the fun.
Graveyard Fields (Lower Falls area) – Shallow areas for splashing and cooling off
- Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 418.8), this is a really fun and scenic area to explore with kids. The trail takes you through a mix of forest, open meadow, and some rocky sections, which keeps things interesting along the way.
- There are two waterfalls here—Lower Falls, which is easier and more family-friendly, and Upper Falls, which is a bit more moderate. We found the hike to be really enjoyable overall, and the waterfall at the end makes it feel worth it.
- The falls themselves are more tiered, with rocks that kids can climb around on, and shallow areas where they can cool off and splash a bit. It’s a great mix of hiking, exploring, and a fun reward at the end.
👉 These are great for hot days when you want to plan time to hang out and swim.
🌄 Best Waterfalls for Views (Not Swimming)
Not all waterfalls are meant for swimming—these are the ones that are best for the views.
Triple Falls – Beautiful multi-tiered waterfall, but not a safe swimming spot
- This is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the area and definitely worth the stop. It’s about a 1.2-mile round trip hike and feels a little more moderate than some of the easier waterfall walks, but still very doable with kids who are used to hiking.
- We’d recommend this more for the scenery and experience—it’s one of those places that feels really impressive when you see it in person.
High Falls – One of the most impressive waterfalls, best for views and photos
- This is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls in DuPont State Forest. The loop trail is easy to moderate and gives you a few different viewpoints along the way, which makes it feel worth the walk.
- It’s a great place to explore, take photos, and let kids climb around a bit—but you’ll want to keep a close eye on them near the water.
Rainbow Falls (Gorges State Park) – This is a really fun hike if you’re looking for something a little more adventurous with a great payoff at the end.
- The trail winds through the forest and gradually leads you to a beautiful waterfall at the base—it definitely feels worth the effort.
- If you keep going past Rainbow Falls, you’ll reach Turtleback Falls, which is a popular swimming spot. We’ve hiked up to see it, but felt like that portion is better for older kids.
- The full hike is about 4 miles round trip. We’ve done it with younger kids, but definitely recommend bringing a backpack carrier since it’s not stroller-friendly. It’s a great option if your family is up for a longer hike and wants that “wow” moment at the end.
Moore Cove falls – It’s about a 0.75-mile round trip walk through the forest, and it’s pretty flat and manageable for most ages.
- The waterfall itself is about 50 feet tall and really pretty, especially after a good rain. Later in the summer, the flow slows down quite a bit, which actually makes it fun in a different way—you can walk behind the falls and explore a bit without getting completely soaked.
- It’s a short walk, but a really good one, especially if you’re looking for something easy and rewarding without a long hike.
For hiking with infants and toddlers, we highly recommend using a TULA carrier—we love that it comes in both infant and toddler sizes. It makes navigating uneven terrain so much easier and keeps your little ones comfortable while giving you freedom to explore. With a TULA, you can take even the littlest hikers along on adventures like these, creating memories that are fun for the whole family without worrying about safety or fatigue.
Other Adventures and Day Trips from Brevard, NC
Best Day Trips from Brevard with Kids
If you’re staying in Brevard for a few days, it’s easy to mix in a day trip or two. There are several great spots within about an hour to an hour and a half that add some variety to your trip—whether you’re looking for something more relaxed, a change of scenery, or a break from hiking.
Gem Mining
The North Carolina mountains are famous for gem mining, and it’s a must-do activity for kids and adults alike especially on a rainy day. We visited Crystal Mountain Gem Mining right in downtown Brevard and loved digging for our own treasures and learning about the history of the area. It’s also conveniently close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which makes for a scenic drive after your mining adventure.
Biltmore Estate (Asheville) (30-45 min from Brevard depeding on traffic) This was such a fun day trip for our family and definitely something a little different from all the outdoor activities.
We visited with our family of seven, with kids ages 4–12, and even our 4-year-old really enjoyed it. That said, it would probably be more challenging with kids younger than that.
Inside the mansion, there’s an audio tour—and they offer a kid-friendly version, which made a big difference for us. It helped keep everyone engaged, and we spent about an hour and a half exploring the house.
Beyond the mansion, there’s so much more to do. The farmyard area was a hit, and the gardens are beautiful to walk through. There are also plenty of spots to grab food and take a break.
We ended up spending about 6 hours total at the estate, so it’s definitely something to plan a full day around—but well worth it if you’re in the area.
Bryson City – (1.5 hours from Brevard) This is another fun day trip option from Brevard, located about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes away depending on your route.
Bryson City has a cute, small-town feel and is known for outdoor adventure. It’s a great spot if you want to mix things up from waterfalls and hiking with something a little different.
One of the main draws here is the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, which offers scenic train rides year-round (and the Polar Express in the winter). It’s one of those experiences that feels really memorable for kids.
You can also find tubing, river activities, and easy spots to explore around town. It’s a great option if you’re looking to add a little variety to your trip without going too far.s.
Lake Glenville (Cashiers area) – If you’re looking to mix in a full day on the water, Lake Glenville is a great option and about a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Brevard.
This is one of our favorite ways to spend a day in the area. You can rent a pontoon boat, go tubing, swim, and just relax out on the lake. There are also a few waterfalls you can access by boat, which makes it feel like a really unique experience.
We usually pack lunch and make a full day of it—pulling into coves, letting the kids swim, and just enjoying being out on the water.
It’s a bit of a drive from Brevard, but if you’re staying for several days and want to mix things up, it’s definitely worth it.
Lake Keowee – If you’re up for a slightly longer day trip, Lake Keowee is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Brevard and another great option for a lake day.
We’ve spent time here on past trips and love how warm and clear the water is—it’s perfect for swimming, kayaking, and just relaxing. It has a slightly different feel than Lake Glenville and is a nice way to mix things up if you’re staying in the area for several days.
Like most of our lake days, we keep it simple—packing lunch, finding a spot to hang out, and letting the kids swim and explore.
It’s a bit more of a drive, but a great option if you’re looking for a full, relaxing day on the water. We share more details about Lake Keowee in our Lake Keowee Guide!
Adding just one of these day trips to your trip is a great way to mix things up if you’re staying in Brevard for more than a few days.
Brevard, North Carolina, is an ideal getaway for families, couples, or anyone looking to reconnect with nature. Whether you’re seeking waterfalls, outdoor adventures, or charming small-town vibes, this mountain town has it all. Staying in a private VRBO within a gated community made our trip comfortable, convenient, and perfectly balanced between relaxation and exploration.
Ready to plan your Brevard North Carolina family vacation? From outdoor adventures to cozy stays, there’s something for everyone. For more inspiration, check out our guides to:
- Highlands family vacations – discover waterfalls, hikes, and small-town charm
- Asheville NC – arts, nature, and mountain adventures
- Isle of Palms South Carolina – outdoor fun in a charming mountain town
Whether you’re planning day trips or a longer stay, these destinations are perfect for creating unforgettable family memories.
FAQs About Visiting Brevard NC with Kids
Is Brevard NC good for families?
Yes—especially for families who love being outdoors. There are tons of waterfalls, easy hikes, and places to explore.
What is Brevard known for?
Brevard is known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” with hundreds of waterfalls in the surrounding area.
Is Brevard better than Highlands with kids?
I wouldn’t say one is better than the other—they’re just a little different. Both offer beautiful waterfalls, hikes, and mountain scenery, but Brevard feels a bit more adventurous and outdoors-focused, while Highlands tends to feel a little more relaxed and easygoing.
We like mixing both into our trips when we can. It’s a great way to explore different terrain and keep things interesting without having to travel far.
How many days do you need in Brevard?
3-7 days is usually enough to see the highlights and enjoy a couple day trips!
Is Sliding Rock good for kids?
Yes, but best for kids who are comfortable in cold water and a little adventure. If you want something a little smaller, Sliding Rock in Cashiers, NC is about an hour away and great for kids of all ages. Find more on this here on our Highlands, NC blog page.
