Pink Beds Picnic Shelter

The Pink Beds Picnic Shelter is nestled within Pisgah National Forest along the scenic US 276 corridor. It sits adjacent to the historic Cradle of Forestry in America and is set within a lush woodland valley renowned for rhododendron, mountain laurel, azalea blooms and rare high-altitude bogs, which give the area its iconic name. Visitors can pair a visit to the shelter with the gentle, family-friendly Pink Beds Loop Trail, a scenic 5-mile hike through diverse habitats with boardwalks over boggy wetlands, creek crossings and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The surrounding area is also ideal for fishing, horseback riding and swimming. The Cradle of Forestry in America, a historic site celebrating the birthplace of modern forest conservation, is just steps away and offers an indoor museum, paved hiking trails, outdoor exhibits, a theater, a cafe and a gift shop. The area has a flush toilet restroom, 21 picnic tables, grills, an old Civilian Conservation Corps gazebo, and this large shelter. The parking area is a paved lot used for both the Pink Beds Picnic Area and the Pink Beds Loop trailhead. Named for the rhododendron, mountain laurel and azalea that bloom in spring and summer, the shelter is renowned for its scenic forest setting and the small stream nearby. At an elevation of 3,280 feet, its relatively flat valley sustains some very large pine trees and rare mountain bogs. The area is next door to the Cradle of Forestry in America Historic Site, and four miles from both the Blue Ridge Parkway and Sliding Rock Recreation Area.