Brevard & Pisgah National Forest
Land of Waterfalls — Sliding Rock, Looking Glass, forest drives
🚗 ~2 hours from Johnson City · ~85 miles · Johnson City via I-26 W toward Asheville, US-64/US-276 to Brevard
Best season: May–Oct for swimming; waterfalls best after rain
Getting there
Get driving directions from Johnson City ↗ · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map shows Brevard, NC. Times vary from Kingsport and Bristol.
Brevard is the gateway to Pisgah's best-known natural playgrounds — Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, and Moore Cove are all manageable day-hike or pull-off stops.
The town itself has a college-town feel with galleries and dining — good base if you want one indoor stop.
Highlights
- Looking Glass Falls — roadside classic
- Sliding Rock (seasonal fee, lifeguards summer)
- Moore Cove Falls hike
- Brevard downtown — white squirrel statues & local shops
Sample one-day itinerary
Looking Glass, then Moore Cove or Cradle of Forestry if educational stop desired.
Sliding Rock busy noon–3pm — go early or late.
Coffee and shops before I-26 home.
Know before you go
- US-276 is narrow — watch cyclists and slow traffic in summer.
- Sliding Rock requires cash/card fee in season; water is cold.
- Pair with Asheville only if you start at dawn.
Links & resources
More day trips
25–35 min 📖 Jonesborough, TN
25–35 min 🌊 Erwin & the Nolichucky Gorge
30–45 min 🛥️ South Holston Lake
30–45 min
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