Holmes Educational State Forest 1299 Crab Creek Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739

"My two year old and I walked the Talking Tree trail... however I was disappointed in the trail as the majority of it was lined with poison ivy. It's extremely difficult to walk with an excited and energetic toddler when the plants all along the trail are harmful. I really wanted to love this park but the trails are not toddler friendly with the poison ivy everywhere we looked. I understand that it is a state forest and poison ivy is an aggressive native plant... but. Be aware that it is there. It's a good easy walk for adults, but not for very young children that like exploring (again because of poison ivy). I will say that the parking area and picnic areas are very well maintained."

"It's well maintained and free admission state park. The entrance has the most famous bear for every elementary kid - smoky the bear. There are retired helicopter and tractor plow exhibits on-site with audio instruction. The talking tree trail is one of the easiest loop with 0.5 mile around 30 minutes for kids to go thru, and audio introduction for black birth, white oak, yellow poplar, white birch, hickory trees. Kids certainly will learn a lot at the end of the trail."

"Wow! Total gem of a place!! We took our 2 year old and he LOVED it! We did the Talking Tree Trail - super cute! There are buttons you press to tell you about the marked tree on the path (see photo). Very fun! The trail was easy to walk (well marked, well maintained, clear step ups for inclines) and they really thought about the kids that would be walking - they estimated 30 minutes and it was 30 minutes at our toddlers pace. Loved how kiddo freely that was. Good clean bathrooms, lots of picnic tables, and it rained all day beforehand and yet it was not muddy or wet - so happy we stopped!!"

"Enjoyed a somewhat hidden gem of a forest/park, with something for everyone .. easy hikes, strenuous mountain trails, great views, talking trees and -- my favorite: a firetower, along with a recording of old Firetower Lookouts talking about fires! Very cool .. and my trailhound Rigby enjoyed it all .."

"Wildflowers galore! I felt like I was walking in a fairy forest. I went shortly after a rain shower and the plants were glistening. There are small water falls to see too. Another new discovery for me. There is one longer hike a several shorter trails to walk. Lots of interpretive signs too. The Talking Tree trail has these educational stops where you can listen to a "talking tree" to learn fun facts about the forest. Dogs on leach are welcome. I imagine lots of schools come here for field trips. I'll be returning for sure!"