What to do in the area
Explore Camp’s “Backyard”
We don’t expect you to get tired of camp’s 900+ acres and miles of trails, but if you do choose to venture off property during your time off, this area of Western North Carolina has plenty to offer!
Check out our suggestions for things to do around the Hendersonville/Asheville area, or the Traveler’s Rest/Greenville, SC area.
Get Paid To Play
Love being outdoors? Western North Carolina is the place to be!
Find out why working at Falling Creek is the best summer job for aspiring outdoor industry professionals.
Cities & Towns
- Hendersonville, NC: Hendersonville is our closest large town, about 25 minutes from camp with a quaint downtown area. Walk down main street for local restaurants, boutiques, ice cream, or to just enjoy some window shopping. The greater Hendersonville area is also the closest place for “real life” stuff - Walmart, groceries, fast food, and car parts.
- Flat Rock, NC: Flat Rock is smaller than Hendersonville, but at only 20 minutes away, it’s the closest place to get a great bite to eat. Delicious breakfast at Flat Rock Village Bakery. Famous BBQ at Hubba Hubba Smokehouse. The Wrinkled Egg gifts. Watch a show at the state’s theater: Flat Rock Playhouse. Pet the goats, enjoy the trails, and tour the famous poet’s home at the Carl Sandburg House.
- Asheville, NC: Downtown Asheville is about an hour away from camp. Great restaurants and shopping. A fun art scene. World-famous live music. Asheville Outlets. Visit the Biltmore House, go ziplining, watch an Asheville Tourists baseball game, or enjoy the North Carolina Arboretum.
- Greenville, SC: Downtown Greenville is about an hour away from camp. Being right on the state border, we’re as close to Greenville as we are to Asheville. Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Picnic at Falls Park on the Reedy. Great downtown restaurants.
- Arden, NC: Located about 40 minutes away between Hendersonville and Asheville, Arden has a great shopping area for life’s necessities. Visit the Movie Theater and Restaurants at Biltmore Park Town Square. You’ll find a Target, Best Buy, clothing stores, shoe stores, and a larger variety of places to eat than Hendersonville.
- Brevard, NC: Brevard is about an hour West of camp in Transylvania County, and is a great hub if you’re looking for more outdoor recreation options. Brevard is at the entrance to Pisgah National Forest, where you’ll find plenty of trails and over 250 waterfalls. There are outdoor stores, restaurants, and bike shops, as well as the Brevard Music Center.
- Saluda, NC: Visit the Historic Downtown of Saluda, about 20 minutes from camp. Delicious Green River BBQ, and several other great nearby restaurant options.
- Traveler’s Rest, SC: Just 25 minutes South of camp in SC is the start of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which you can take all the way into Downtown Greenville. Sidewall Pizza Co. Tandem Creperie and Coffeehouse. Farmhouse Tacos.
Closest Movie Theatres
- Epic Theaters
Hendersonville, NC - Flat Rock Cinema
Flat Rock, NC - Regal Theaters
Asheville, NC - Cherrydale
Greenville, SC
Hiking and Biking
Camp has an amazing trail system, only open to those at Falling Creek. But if you get tired of that, Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, Tsali Recreation Area, Fontana Village, Bent Creek, Mills River, and Paris Mountain are nearby.
Paddling
- Green River — lower & upper
- Tuckaseegee River — I, III & V
- French Broad River — VI & IX
- Chattooga River — II & III
- Pigeon River
- Ocoee River
- Nolichucky River
- New River Gorge
- Lake Jocassee
- Lake Fontana
Fishing
- Camp lakes are stocked with Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Grass Carp.
- On property, we enjoy a private 1-mile section of the Green River, annually stocked with trout. For anyone not employed on staff, fishing here is by appointment only (828-230-1386). We have a strict catch and release policy for all fishing on camp property.
- Davidson River
- Big Creek
- Lake Summit
- Lake Jocassee
- Dupont State Forest
Camping
- Pisgah National Forest
- Appalachian Trail
- Nantahala National Forest
- Smokey Mountains
- Joyce Kilmer Forest
- Jones Gap State Park
- Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
- Table Rock State Park
Climbing
- Gilbert’s Rock is Falling Creek’s private rock face, located nearby in Flat Rock NC. Gilbert’s is an integral part of Falling Creek Camp’s progression-based climbing program. Parts of Gilbert’s surface are highly featured and allow ample hand and foot holds for new climbers, making it a great place for teaching.
- Cedar Rock
- Crowders Mountain
- Linville Gorge
- Looking Glass Rock
- Rumbling Bald
- Stone Mountain
- The Obed
Other Fun Stuff
- The Biltmore House
- Flat Rock Playhouse
- Carl Sandburg House
- Tarheel Lanes Bowling
- The Pinball Museum
Asheville and Hendersonville locations, all-you-can-play pinball and arcade games - Asheville Fun Depot