Located in the Bent Creek area west of Asheville, the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is a suburban fun place for family activities including hiking, biking, fishing, swimming and jogging. Adjacent to the North Carolina Arboretum and part of the Bent Creek Research and Demonstration Forest in Pisgah National Forest, the recreation area contains several miles of trails between the Blue Ridge Parkway and a high mountain ridge. There are connections with long distance trails in the national forest that can make your hike as adventurous as you like. The Homestead Trail is an easy, family friendly stroll that loops around Lake Powhatan, and crosses Bent Creek on each end of the lake. This hike occurred on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 from 9:00am to 11:30am. The plan was to take the Carolina Mountain Trail from the Production Greenhouse within the NC Arboretum grounds, then connect with the Homestead Trail via Bent Creek Road.

I started this hike in the North Carolina Arboretum. If you aren’t a member, or are looking for a trailhead closer to Lake Powhatan, you can enter the recreation area on Wesley Branch Road off Hwy 191.

There is a connector to the west end of the Carolina Mountain Trail at the Production Greenhouse in the Arboretum. I chose that as a starting point because of its proximity to Bent Creek Road. The trail passes through pine, mixed hardwood and ericaceous forest types. On this day is early August it was also lined with very large toadstools. I was waiting for Alice to pop out from behind a tree any minute.

After a quarter mile, the trail crosses Wolf Branch Road, then goes down a small hill on a fresh wood chips trail bed. Down below is thick rhododendron and the first look at Bent Creek. There wasn’t much water in the creek, just enough to fill the air with the sound of a trickling flow. Soon, the trail ends at Bent Creek Road.

You will notice immediately the boundary fence for the Arboretum property. There is a gate in the fence that is open during the hours of operation, normally 8AM to 8PM. It may look closed, but don’t worry, it’s okay to walk through. On the other side, Bent Creek Road is an ivy lined footpath that is extremely popular with joggers. I bet I encountered two dozen in the short mile to Homestead Trail.

Bent Creek Road follows its namesake creek as it meanders through Pisgah National Forest. I was surprised to find kudzu along the trail. Who knows when it got introduced to this forest, but it doesn’t take long to choke the trees. At Poplar Cove there is a junction with another forest service road that eventually ends up at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bear straight ahead to stay on Bent Creek Road.

Just below the reservoir for Lake Powhatan is a very small power plant. Much like the kudzu, it was not something I was expecting to see out here in the forest. There didn’t appear to be anyone working there. Presumably it is self-sustaining. Just beyond the power plant the banks of Bent Creek are encased in stone walls as it flows through the dam. There is a stone bridge across the creek that marks the beginning, and end, of the Homestead Trail loop.

From here, the north side of the lake is paved with asphalt. The only vehicular access though, is for those with handicapped placards. All others must park at the western end of the lake. On the northeastern corner of the lake is a small fishing pier, built in 1990, that looks to accommodate about a half dozen fishermen, or photographers, at any give time.

The pier enables a clear view of the entire expanse of Lake Powhatan. When standing on the pier, to the left is the dam, straight ahead on the south side of the lake is the swimming beach, and to the right are the mountains of Pisgah National Forest. I happened to catch a wind free day, so the lake was mirroring the surrounding environment.

I continued around the northern rim of the lake until I reached a junction at the western end where the paved road continued straight ahead to picnic facilities. Here, I made a left turn onto a dirt footpath that is the continuation of the Homestead Trail. It was good to get back on a trail, rather than road.

Soon afterward, there is a wood plank bridge that crosses Bent Creek as it feeds Lake Powhatan. This is a very beautiful marshy area where I was treated to a deep reverberating cacophony of bullfrogs. The sound seems to echo off the water surface. This scene is in the picture at the top of the post. You may click on it for a larger image. On the south side of the bridge is a connector with another paved road that winds through the recreation area, but I stayed on Homestead Trail.

The trail now hugs the southern rim of the lake as it approaches the swimming beach. This is a small enclosed fee area of perhaps half an acre. For those wishing to swim with family on a hot summer day, the fee is $2. There was a very lonely, bored lifeguard there who was happy to talk with anyone about anything. Apparently this swimming hole doesn’t get much action.

As the trail continues around the south side, it enters a deep rhododendron canopy, then reaches the dam where there is a nice view of the fishing pier. The trail then leaves the lake area and climbs a low hill to meet the Small Creek Trail. This is a connector trail to many of the longer trails in the southern portion of the recreation area.

The trail winds through the woods for another quarter mile before returning to Bent Creek at the stone bridge mentioned above, and that is the end of the loop. It’s only a mile around the lake.

I returned the same way I came, meeting more joggers and bikers along the way.

This hike ended up being right around five flat, easy miles. I started in the Arboretum to add some length to the hike. If you would prefer to stay within the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area keep in mind that it’s just a mile around the lake. If you want to stretch your legs a bit more, you’ll no doubt want to combine the Homestead Trail with one or more of the longer trails found within the recreation area.

Another thing to be aware of, because this is a research forest, on occasion the forest rangers are conducting research experiments and will have some of the trails closed. It might be a good idea to call ahead just in case. Pisgah Ranger District Office: 828-877-3350.

Update October 10, 2014: Went for an Autumn visit to Lake Powhatan. Enjoy the new photos.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Nestled in the woods of Pisgah National Forest in Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum is a 434 acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest. Set amid rolling hills just off mile 393 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Arboretum offers more than ten miles of groomed hiking trails that are suitable for all ages. Home to one of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States, the Arboretum has 65 acres of cultivated gardens that are appropriately seasonal. The Arboretum is an affiliate of the University of North Carolina and is a center for conservation, education and research. Information desks at the Baker Exhibit Center or the Education Center have brochures that describe tours, demonstrations, and membership benefits. Or, you can spend a lovely day on the grounds simply enjoying the peace, quiet and beauty away from the drudgery of everyday living. I first visited the Arboretum on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 from 8:00am to 11:00am, focusing my attention on the permanent gardens and the Production Greenhouse.

I have been a member of the North Carolina Arboretum for five years and visit every chance I get. Each season has a special allure. I fell in love with the place my first time there and immediately decided I wanted to join. Membership benefits include: free entry, discounts on education programs, gift shops, and the café, member-only events, reciprocal privileges with more than 200 other gardens nationwide, a newsletter and program information. Contributions to the Arboretum Society are tax deductible and support workshops, training for staff, regional plant shows, and enhancements to the gardens.

Sometimes I go to the Arboretum to hike through the forest. Sometimes I will combine a visit with a trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. No matter the reason for my appearance, I always take time to stroll through the gardens, enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that soothe and relax.

There are 10 permanent garden areas within the grounds, all handicap accessible. Further, there are other cultivated areas of interest found out and about in the trail system. The Arboretum also maintains a permanent collection of art. Look for the pieces throughout the gardens. Below are the featured gardens:

• Blue Ridge Court — a central point of the Grand Garden Promenade, featuring a naturally dwarfed American Beech in the center of a garden pool.
• Bonsai Exhibition Garden — this garden presents the Arboretum’s extensive bonsai collection in an aesthetically unique landscape.
• Heritage Garden — the chimney and stone foundations, and water spring recall features of old homesteads. The garden includes plants used in the regions medicinal herb and craft industries.
• Holly Garden — this exhibit shows the variety of plants in the holly genus that can be grown in this region of North Carolina.
• Plants of Promise Garden — this 1/2 acre garden at wood’s edge features promising landscape plants appropriate for the Southern Appalachian region. The Arboretum encourages staff to have fun here.
• Quilt Garden — a floral representation of a traditional quilt pattern. You will get a bird’s eye view of this garden from a stone overlook.
• Stream Garden — planted primarily with native plants, this garden represents a WNC mountain stream and its plant communities.
• National Native Azalea Collection — located along the Bent Creek Road, this garden was established to help preserve and protect each of 16 species of azalea native to the United States. Flowering usually occurs mid-April through May.

I hope you enjoy these photos from my visit on June 26, 2012:

And these photos from my visit on May 25, 2013:

And it wouldn’t be spring without a visit on April 26, 2014:

June 23 was the day I took these photos in 2015:

These beauties were blooming on May 16, 2016:

Hiking, walking, or biking are other means of enjoyment at the Arboretum. The ten miles of trails and forest roads are maintained in excellent condition by staff and volunteers, and are designed for the entire family. There’s a little something for everyone whether it be creek side trails, forest canopy or mountain views. Be sure to pick up a complete map of the trails and gardens at one of the Visitor Centers. Here’s a little info about the individual trails:

• Bent Creek Road and Trail — Easy 1.3 miles, the main corridor shared by hikers and cyclists. Look for many wildflowers and ferns. The hiking trail parallels the road and runs closer to Bent Creek away from bikers.
• Carolina Mountain Trail (foot traffic only) — Easy to moderate 1.2 miles, passes through pine, mixed with hardwood and ericaceous forest types. Connects the Greenhouse with the Education Center.
• Hard Times Road — Moderate to Difficult 0.8 mile, connects the Gatehouse parking with the Owl Ridge Trail. It winds off Arboretum property and connects with Bent Creek Road near Lake Powhatan.
• Natural Garden Trail (foot traffic only) — Easy 0.75 mile, interpretive signs explain the surrounding woodlands. This loop connects the two main visitor facilities.
• Old Mill Trail — Easy 0.3 mile, follows Bent Creek and connects the Gatehouse parking with Bent Creek Road.
• Owl Ridge Trail — Moderate 0.94 mile, meanders through a white pine forest and an oak/hickory forest connecting Hard Times Road with Rocky Cove Road.
• Rocky Cove Road — Moderate 0.5 mile, travels through a Southern Appalachian cove hardwood forest.
• Running Cedar Road —Moderate 0.5 mile, enables bicycle access to Bent Creek Road.
• Wesley Branch Trail (foot traffic only) — 0.4 mile, links the Natural Garden Trail to Bent Creek Road.
• Wolf Branch Road — 0.3 mile, accesses the Carolina Mountain Trail and Bent Creek Road along a cascading stream.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.