The Foxfire Village Museum
A 100-plus-acre outdoor museum of mountain log buildings, working crafts and the student project that started it all
The short answer
Foxfire began in 1966 as a student-created magazine that captured the voices and traditions of Southern Appalachian life, became a bestselling book series, and its royalties bought the land the museum now stands on. The village is an outdoor museum of historic log buildings filled with artifacts from Appalachian life between 1820 and 1940. It sits on a mountainside next to Black Rock Mountain State Park, so the two pair well for a day out.
20+
outdoor museum
35 mi
about an hour
$20
ages 19 to 61
Hours, prices and directions
Checked with Foxfire, October 2026
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 98 Foxfire Ln, Mountain City, GA 30562, next to Black Rock Mountain State Park |
| Phone | 706-746-5828 |
| Hours | Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM; Sunday noon to 4 PM. Last admission is one hour before closing. |
| Admission | Ages 5 and under free; 6 to 10 $5; 11 to 18 $10; 19 to 61 $20; 62 and up $15 |
| Getting there | About 35 miles and an hour from downtown Helen |
| Terrain | An outdoor museum with gravel and dirt paths; call ahead if mobility is a concern |
Confirm hours on the Foxfire contact page before you drive, especially in winter weather.
What you'll see
The village has over 20 historic log buildings, a working blacksmith shop and a Children's Village of kid-sized cabins. Resident demonstrators work in weaving, spinning and other traditional crafts, and each keeps their own schedule, so call 706-746-5828 if you want to catch a particular craft. The museum is also home to the Foxfire Archive, nearly 60 years of oral history interviews, images and video, which is open to researchers by request. The Mercantile shop sells Foxfire books and local artisan goods.
Classes this month
Foxfire runs heritage skill classes on basketmaking, weaving, woodcarving, foraging, felting and woodstove cooking. A few October dates are listed here, and spots can sell out, so check the events page for current availability and prices.
| Date | Class | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 10 | Cigar box dulcimer class | Build and tune your own instrument; box and parts supplied. Listed at $199. |
| Mon, Oct 12 | Face jug class | History of the Appalachian face jug and making a small traditional one. Listed at $165. |
| Wed, Oct 14 | Hand-building pottery methods | Three pre-wheel pottery methods, led by Georgann Lanich. |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Woodstove cooking breakfast | Cook on a woodstove in the Warwoman cabin with Tommy Waldrop, then eat. Listed at $75. |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Woodcarving | A day of carving with heritage skill expert Brian Ledford. Carving knife and glove supplied. |
Make a day of it
Black Rock Mountain State Park is next door, with overlooks and trails; see the state park's page for current trail closures and the $10 daily ParkPass. For the full story of how Foxfire began, read The Foxfire story. For more mountain heritage, see Appalachian music heritage and the Mark of the Potter guide.
Planning your visit
Arrive by 3 PM
The village is a walk across a mountainside on gravel and dirt paths, with a blacksmith shop, the Children's Village and the Mercantile shop. Last admission is an hour before closing at 4 PM.
Check what's working
Demonstrators keep their own schedules. Call 706-746-5828 before you drive if you want to see a specific craft.
Wear real shoes
The grounds are an outdoor museum, so expect uneven ground. Call ahead if mobility is a concern.
Pair it with the park
Black Rock Mountain State Park is next door. Its Tennessee Rock Trail is 2.2 miles, and the park's overlooks are 3,640 feet up. The daily ParkPass is $10.
Quick questions
How much is admission to the Foxfire Museum?
Ages 5 and under are free; ages 6 to 10 are $5; 11 to 18 are $10; 19 to 61 are $20; and 62 and up are $15.
What are the Foxfire Museum's hours?
Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM and Sunday noon to 4 PM. Last admission is one hour before closing.
How far is Foxfire from Helen?
About 35 miles, roughly an hour's drive, to 98 Foxfire Lane in Mountain City.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
It's an outdoor museum with gravel and dirt paths, so call 706-746-5828 ahead if mobility is a concern.
Can I take a class at Foxfire?
Yes. Foxfire runs heritage skill classes in basketmaking, weaving, woodcarving, foraging, felting and woodstove cooking. Check its events page for current dates, prices and availability.
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