Last Updated on March 10, 2026
North Carolina’s Transylvania County can justly claim to be “The Land of Waterfalls,” as some 250 waterfalls exist within its boundaries. Some are relatively small and gentle. Others take big, breathtaking plunges into mountain pools. Looking Glass Falls, for example, drops 60 feet into a stunning crop of boulders. No wonder it is one of the most-photographed waterfalls in the country.
Tucked amidst these living forests are a number of thriving small towns and communities. If you’re looking for a home in this beautiful place, here’s a quick guide to the many small towns in Transylvania County, NC.
Brevard, NC
Being a small town doesn’t mean you can’t offer some of the finest charms Western North Carolina has to offer. Tucked along the edge of the Pisgah National Forest, Brevard is a hotspot for eclectic in-town living and big mountain views. Downtown is a vibrant and walkable hub of independent shops, boutiques, galleries, pubs, and eateries. The county seat, Brevard has distinguished itself as an epicenter for outdoor adventures, education, art, and music. And it is rich in year-round events and festivals.
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Cedar Mountain, NC
Located along the North Carolina/South Carolina line, Cedar Mountain is an unincorporated community criss-crossed by hundreds of miles of well-managed trails. In recent years, it has distinguished itself as one of the county’s liveliest and most rewarding communities. Cedar Mountain is full of great restaurants, art, music, and fantastic hangouts. The golf communities of Sherwood Forest and Connestee Falls are both located in the Cedar Mountain area, offering options for active lifestyles tucked among the trees.
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Lake Toxaway, NC
Located in an area historically known as the “Switzerland of America,” Lake Toxaway was originally a resort community for wealthy travelers. Families including the Fords, Edisons, and Rockefellers vacationed along its 14 miles of private shorelines. More than a century later, Lake Toxaway is still a well-known outdoors and wellness destination that continues to attract renowned architects and home builders. The lake itself covers over 600 acres, making it the largest privately held lake in North Carolina.
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Penrose, NC
Escape the hustle and bustle without sacrificing proximity to the best amenities in the region. The community of Penrose sits along the French Broad River between Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreational Forest. Its position offers the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility. In addition to hosting a public access point to the French Broad Paddle Trail, Penrose will also be a stopping point along the much-anticipated Ecusta Trail. Residents have easy access to Highway 64, which can take them west into Brevard or northeast to the growing Henderson County community of Etowah.
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Pisgah Forest, NC
Pisgah Forest is an unincorporated community that sits along US Route 64 just northeast of Brevard, NC. More than half of the land in the surrounding county is publicly owned and protected. Together, these lands offer myriad opportunities for outdoor adventures of all kinds. The surrounding forest is also home to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, a state-run facility that hosts students of all ages to learn about the region’s unique biodiversity.
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Rosman, NC
The modest town of Rosman covers precisely 0.55 square miles within its official limits. Located southwest of Brevard along Rosman Highway (U.S. 64), this Transylvania County town sits atop several major natural and manmade intersections. Its location has made the town the perfect spot for scientific research, outdoor recreation, and building a tight-knit community. The headwaters of the French Broad River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, are located nearby, serving as a hot spot for tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and fly fishing.
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Discover your next home in Transylvania County, NC
Offering over 100,000 acres of public land via Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, Headwaters State Forest, and Gorges State Park, outdoor activities such as biking, camping, climbing, fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, paddling, and sightseeing make Transylvania County the perfect place to call “home.” In fact, about 35,000 people call Transylvania County home today. In addition to countless outdoor adventures, Transylvania County offers eclectic in-town living with many opportunities for education, art, and music.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find homes and land for sale in Transylvania County, NC.
