Directions from Asheville & Local Area

From Asheville and points north:

From downtown Ashevillle take I-240 east, pass under I-40 and take 74A east toward Bat Cave, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Lake Lure. (If coming from I-40, take exit 53A onto 74A east.) Laughing Waters is approximately 13 miles from I-40. Drive through Fairview and up the mountain on a series of very curvy switchbacks. At the top is the continental divide and a sign for Gerton. Pass the Gerton Post Office (on the left) and the Gerton Fire Station (on the right). Hickory Nut Forest is just ahead on the right. From this point, Laughing Waters is less than a mile on the right, #3963. Look for the split rail fence and an old log cabin. Turn right into the entrance at the Laughing Waters sign and follow the gravel road down to the right. You will see the retreat center and parking.

From points south:

If coming from the south, take I-26 west to Hendersonville, and then take 64 east to Bat Cave. Turn left onto 74A heading up the gorge toward Asheville. Laughing Waters is approximately 4 miles up the road. You will pass Creekside Campground on the left, a long red store on the right (Moonshine Junction) and then a stone wall with a burnt chimney on the right. Laughing Waters is on the left at the split rail fence and old log cabin, #3963. Hickory Nut Forest is another half mile on the left.