Foothills Watershed
The Foothills Watershed: Old Fort’s Multi-Generational Mountain Bike and Riverside Destination
The Foothills Watershed represents an innovative development in Western North Carolina’s outdoor recreation landscape. Located along the scenic headwaters of the Catawba River in Old Fort, this privately owned 117-acre property blends progressive mountain biking infrastructure with a family-friendly riverside gathering space. Established by local community advocates, the multi-use park serves as a community hub that connects outdoor adventure, land stewardship, and regional food culture.
Progressive Trail Design and Skills Development
At the core of the Foothills Watershed is a professionally sculpted network of mountain bike trails engineered to maximize progression and “sessionability”. Unlike the rugged, remote backcountry singletrack traditionally found throughout the Pisgah National Forest, the trails here are designed to help riders systematically level up their technical skills.
Feature-Rich Singletrack:
The trail network winds through a private forest, offering a diverse blend of smooth green flow lines, intermediate blue singletrack, and advanced technical rock gardens. Advanced features include step-ups, step-downs, shark fins, and hip jumps.
Sessionable Climbs:
Designed with manageable climbing loops, the front-hill trails allow riders to efficiently lap sections, mastering specific jumps or technical lines repeatedly
Dedicated Skills Infrastructure:
The facility integrates structured spaces for all ages and experience levels, including a massive dirt pump track, specialized jump lines ranging from beginner to expert, a balance-oriented tot track, and an interactive skills zone.
Riverside Gathering and Regional Flavor
Beyond the mountain bike trail system, the property capitalizes on its natural topography to offer a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere for riders and non-riders alike. Characterized by its extensive river frontage along the Catawba River, the park functions as an open-air backyard destination.
Visitors can utilize the expansive yard, complete with shaded seating areas and picnic tables, or cool off in a natural, river-fed pond. The community experience is anchored by an on-site, small-batch craft brewery and an open-air dining area. The culinary program highlights high-quality local agricultural partnerships, serving chef-driven menu concepts and smoked meats that celebrate regional food traditions.
For a closer look at the terrain and a visual tour of the park’s flow trails and jumps, watch the Foothills Watershed Trail Tour and Overview. This video provides a detailed perspective on how the singletrack, pump tracks, and riverside gathering spaces integrate into the property.
