North Carolina Acquires Over 342 Acres for Deaverview Mountain Park Project

Buncombe County has taken a significant step toward establishing what it anticipates will be the largest park in its portfolio, following the acquisition of more than 342 acres on Deaverview Mountain west of Asheville, North Carolina. According to county officials, the property was secured on March 19, 2026, without utilizing any local purchase money.

The land acquisition relied entirely on 100 percent grant funding facilitated through the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy alongside contributions from the federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program and the North Carolina Land and Water Fund. Project documents show an ORLP acquisition grant totaling $4,009,648 alongside a $4,162,000 grant from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund designated for acquisition and transaction costs.

Additionally, Buncombe County has set aside $7.7 million from its Open Space Bond to cover expenses connected to the broader Deaverview initiative. The county also intends to pursue further grants to support future park development and ongoing operations, drawing a clear operational line between acquiring the property and developing public visitor infrastructure.

Deaverview Mountain features a 3,118-foot summit offering expansive views of the French Broad River Valley. The terrain includes extensive forest habitats and 16 headwater streams, with one stream identified as a priority for state protection. A conservation easement currently covers 315 acres of the overall property to protect its natural landscape and biodiversity.

The effort to protect the mountain began prior to county ownership. In 2023, a conservation-minded buyer purchased the land and established a three-year option agreement with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, providing a window to secure permanent conservation financing before transferring the title to the county.

Despite the completion of the purchase in March, the property remains closed to the public while officials formulate a comprehensive development blueprint. The site will stay off-limits to visitors until essential park infrastructure, such as parking, trails, and access facilities, can be properly designed and constructed.

To advance this phase, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a $1.39 million contract on September 15 with Equinox Environmental. The agreement tasks the firm with creating the Deaverview Mountain Master Plan and associated engineering designs.

The initial planning contract encompasses a two-phase process featuring community outreach, environmental evaluations, trail assessments, and recommendations for future funding. It will also outline strategies for access points, parking areas, restrooms, and scenic viewsheds, with a subsequent third phase anticipated to focus on actual physical construction.

While final layouts remain under development, the county envisions the location as a center for passive recreation and nature-based engagement. Potential public uses identified in project materials include hiking, nature observation, and outdoor education focused on preserving water quality and local ecosystems.

Once completed, Deaverview Mountain is projected to become the largest park in the county's active inventory, though officials note that a separate proposed project, the 1,600-acre Pisgah View State Park, would exceed it in size if completed as planned. For now, the mountain property remains a protected landscape in transition, moving steadily from private ownership toward public recreation.