Directions & Map

Directions to Penland School

Penland School of Craft is located near Spruce Pine in Mitchell County, North Carolina. We are one hour from Asheville, one hour from Johnson City, three hours from Charlotte, and three hours from Knoxville.

PLEASE NOTE:
Street address: 67 Doras Trail, Bakersville, 28705
GPS coordinates: 35.94467,-82.115706

In our experience, Google Maps and Apple Maps locate the school correctly and give good directions but cell phone service in this area can be unreliable. Other mapping services and some dedicated GPS devices may not list Penland School or they may place it in the wrong location or give bad directions. We suggest you print our directions and bring them along just in case.

If you are unfamiliar with the area, we strongly advise that you arrive before dark; there are no street lights, and it’s easy to get lost.

From Asheville:

Take US 19/23 (future I-26) North past Mars Hill, then take exit 9 to stay on US 19 towards Burnsville. This road will turn into US 19E (DO NOT take US 19W). Go through Burnsville and continue approximately 10 miles. Turn left onto Penland Road. Follow Penland Road for 3 miles, at which point you will cross a bridge and railroad tracks. One mile past the railroad tracks, turn left at the big curve onto Conley Ridge Road (there is a large, steel Penland School sign here). Go all the way up the hill.

From Eastern North Carolina:

Take I-40 West to Marion, exit 86. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto NC 226 North. This road will take you all the way to Penland Road (about one hour), but you will need to make several turns to stay on 226; watch for signs and be careful you don’t end up on 221 or 226A. Several miles after you cross under the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will pass a shopping strip on the right, then crest a steep hill. At the bottom of that hill, turn left at the light onto 226/19E. Drive through one light and turn right at the second light, and then continue on 226 for 2.8 miles. Turn left onto Penland Road; there’s a green Penland School sign at this turn. Drive 1.1 miles on Penland Road to a big curve. Turn sharply to the right onto Conley Ridge Road (there is a large, steel Penland School sign here) and go all the way up the hill.

From the North via I-95:

Turn onto I-85 South at Petersburg, VA, continue to Greensboro, pick up I-40 West, then follow directions from Eastern NC (above).

From the North via I-81:

Resist the temptation to take the Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway; it’s straight and beautiful, but very slow. Exit onto I-26 East (Exit 57A). Go through Johnson City and continue on I-26 into North Carolina. Nine miles after you cross the state line, take exit 9 onto US 19 towards Burnsville. This road will turn into US 19E (DO NOT take US 19W). Go through Burnsville and continue approximately 10 miles. Turn left at the green Penland School sign onto Penland Road. Follow Penland Road for 3 miles, when you will cross a bridge and railroad tracks. One mile past the railroad tracks, bear left at the big curve onto Conley Ridge Road (there is a large, steel Penland School sign here). Go all the way up the hill.

From the Deep South, the Midwest, the Southwest, etc.:

Find your way to Asheville, NC and then follow the directions listed above.

Penland Campus Map (PDF)

Accessible Parking Map (PDF)

Self-Guided Tour Map (PDF)