Biltmore Campus Trail Map

Route map of the Biltmore Campus Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Biltmore Campus Trail Map

Route map of the Biltmore Campus Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Cradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site -- 3,260'

The entrance to the Historic Site off US-276 north of Brevard...

Cradle of Forestry in America National Historic Site -- 3,280'

This is the 'new' visitor center for the Historic Site. The original burned to the ground in 1985 and this is the structure which replaced it. Bigger and better, this center houses some impressive interpretive displays, artifacts, a gift shop, and small restaurant...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- 3,290'

The Biltmore Campus Trail, one of the two interpretive loop trails at the site, winds its way for about a mile past a collection of historic buildings which give a glimpse into the lives of the students who attended Schenck's school. The trail begins directly behind the visitor center...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Plymouth Rock of Forestry -- 3,300'

Erected by alumni of the Biltmore Forest School in 1950, this small stone and plaque memorialize the founding of America's first forestry school which was founded here in 1898...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schoolhouse -- 3,300'

Constructed ca. 1891; reconstructed ca. 1965 -- Before Schenck moved his school to the Pink Beds this building served local residents as a primary school and church building. Schenck utilized the structure for similar purposes and even provided funds for the addition of an organ. After the school closed the building slowly deteriorated but, through donations by alumni was reconstructed in the mid-1960's...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schoolhouse -- 3,300'

Constructed ca. 1891; reconstructed ca. 1965 -- Before Schenck moved his school to the Pink Beds this building served local residents as a primary school and church building. Schenck utilized the structure for similar purposes and even provided funds for the addition of an organ. After the school closed the building slowly deteriorated but, through donations by alumni was reconstructed in the mid-1960's...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling -- 3,290'

Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling -- 3,290'

Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling -- 3,290'

Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms. This room is located on the main floor...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Ranger's Dwelling -- 3,290'

Constructed ca. 1882 -- this large cabin was once home to a man by the name of Hiram King. Vanderbilt purchased the home for use at his school and it was occupied by one of his rangers, George Gillespie. In addition to Gillespie and his family the home also boarded eight forestry students in the upstairs rooms. This is the kitchen on the main floor...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Commissary -- 3,290'

The Commissary, located alongside the Rangers Dwelling, was a social center of sorts for the Forestry School. Here students would grab a quick lunch, play any number of lawn games, or simply catch up on the latest news. Today the Commissary is packed full of period artifacts and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes exploring...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Commissary -- 3,290'

The Commissary, located alongside the Rangers Dwelling, was a social center of sorts for the Forestry School. Here students would grab a quick lunch, play any number of lawn games, or simply catch up on the latest news. Today the Commissary is packed full of period artifacts and is a fascinating place to spend a few minutes exploring...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schenck's Office -- 3,310'

This small building began its life as a barn before it was converted into an office for Dr. Schenck by Judson Meece. The front room of the office was where Schenck's bookkeeper and secretary worked while the back room served as his personal office...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Schenck's Office -- 3,310'

This small building began its life as a barn before it was converted into an office for Dr. Schenck by Judson Meece. The front room of the office was where Schenck's bookkeeper and secretary worked while the back room served as his personal office...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge -- 3,290'

This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge -- 3,290'

Dining Room -- This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Black Forest Lodge -- 3,290'

Main Floor -- This impressive building was built by Dr. Schenck to house another of his rangers. Many such homes were built by the Doctor at various points around the forest to give the rangers an on-site home base of sorts for patrolling the woods for poachers and people cutting trees illegally. The design is Schenck's own as well, intended to reflect the styling of his home country Germany...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Blacksmith Shop -- 3,270'

There were few people more important in rural America at this time than the local blacksmith. So it was very important that the Forestry School had a shop of its own for tooling and shoeing horses. Two blacksmiths from nearby Brevard were hired to travel and work here when needed...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Blacksmith Shop -- 3,270'

There were few people more important in rural America at this time than the local blacksmith. So it was very important that the Forestry School had a shop of its own for tooling and shoeing horses. Two blacksmiths from nearby Brevard were hired to travel and work here when needed...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Students Quarters ('Hell Hole') -- 3,270'

You'd think with a name like "Hell Hole" this wasn't all that pleasant a place to call home. In reality the moniker was simply a colorful nickname given by students...a common practice of all pupils who were simply told by Dr. Schenck, upon their arrival, to go out on their own and find a (usually abandoned) cabin to stay in. Many such cabins sported names just as colorful...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Students Quarters ('Hell Hole') -- 3,270'

You'd think with a name like "Hell Hole" this wasn't all that pleasant a place to call home. In reality the moniker was simply a colorful nickname given by students...a common practice of all pupils who were simply told by Dr. Schenck, upon their arrival, to go out on their own and find a (usually abandoned) cabin to stay in. Many such cabins sported names just as colorful...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Students Quarters ('Hell Hole') -- 3,270'

You'd think with a name like "Hell Hole" this wasn't all that pleasant a place to call home. In reality the moniker was simply a colorful nickname given by students...a common practice of all pupils who were simply told by Dr. Schenck, upon their arrival, to go out on their own and find a (usually abandoned) cabin to stay in. Many such cabins sported names just as colorful...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Draw Road -- 3,270'

This old roadway dates back to the years before Schenck built his Forestry School here. Originally this road ran from Wagon Road Gap (where today's Blue Ridge Parkway and US-276 meet) down the mountain past Looking Glass Rock to Brevard...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Garden -- 3,280'

Being a good days ride from town it kinda goes without saying that most students of the Forestry School had to grow their own food. Today the Historic Site tends this small plot of land where, in the summer, volunteers grow staple crops to demonstrate farming techniques of the period...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Wash Place -- 3,280'

Just like today, one of the more mundane facets of daily life was doing the laundry. Students were responsible for their own and on wash day they would gather here near the creek to boil and scrub their clothing...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Cantrell Creek Lodge -- 3,270'

This is another of Dr. Schenck's Black Forest-style lodges built for the rangers who patrolled the surrounding forest. A number of these homes were built across Pisgah giving rangers an on-site home base for patrolling against poaching and illegal harvesting...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Cantrell Creek Lodge -- 3,270'

This is another of Dr. Schenck's Black Forest-style lodges built for the rangers who patrolled the surrounding forest. A number of these homes were built across Pisgah giving rangers an on-site home base for patrolling against poaching and illegal harvesting...

Biltmore Campus Trail -- Cantrell Creek Lodge -- 3,270'

This is another of Dr. Schenck's Black Forest-style lodges built for the rangers who patrolled the surrounding forest. A number of these homes were built across Pisgah giving rangers an on-site home base for patrolling against poaching and illegal harvesting...