Camping at the Davidson River Recreation Area of Pisgah National Forest

The Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
The Davidson River through Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina - License our images here. 

We got a campsite in the Hemlock Loop of the Davidson River Recreation Area. No electricity, but potable water across the street. Nights were cold. Days were awesome.  

This recreation area is at the entrance of Pisgah National Forest coming from the city of Brevard - the biblical name means "summit", or so it's said. 

This forest is a paradise of waterfalls - check this post and this one - and white squirrels. 

A couple of centuries ago, the Davidson brothers landed in this spot of Transylvania County. No worries, no Dracula around here. 

The Davidson River near Brevard, North Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
View from the trail: The Davidson River close to Brevard. 

A few hiking trails crisscross the recreation area. Some allow mountain bikes. One follows the river and ends in Brevard - there is a Walmart there. From this trail we saw the only white squirrel in all our stay in this forest. The small fella was collecting food for the winter.  

The ranger station is across the street from the recreation area. This is the place to go for maps and advice. But at certain times, crossing the busy 276 may be a quest of bravery. Many speeding vehicles running through blind curves. One day, an SUV crashed against a tree. People were hurt and we witnessed the rescue. 

We found many crazy drivers and smelled a lot of burned brakes in these mountains. Drive carefully and use engine braking to save your brake pads. 

Near the campground is the historical English Chapel.

The historical English chapel by the Davidson River, North Carolina - Photo: Still Gravity.
The historic English chapel by the Davidson River. 

The Methodist circuit rider A.F. English built this building in 1860. The church also served as a school. Some kids walked seven miles for their classes - and there are bears in these forests. That's dedication.   

Dolly Parton's lyrics resound in my head:

There's a church in the valley by the wildwood. No lovelier place in the dale.

(Listen the song here.)

Our best hike in Pisgah National Forest was the climbing of the Looking Glass Rock. Great views from up there. 

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