There are plenty of reasons to visit Brevard, North Carolina. The mountain town sits just outside Pisgah National Forest, is surrounded by waterfalls, and serves as one of the gateways to some of Western North Carolina’s best outdoor adventures.

But Brevard is also famous for something much smaller and considerably fluffier: its white squirrels.

We recently visited Brevard College, one of the best-known places in town to spot them, and it did not take long to find one. A nearly snow-white squirrel was moving between the lawn and the enormous trees around campus before scampering straight up a trunk and eventually settling into the branches above us.

Despite what you might assume when you first see one, Brevard’s white squirrels aren’t albinos.

What Are Brevard’s White Squirrels?

Brevard’s white squirrels are a color variant of the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), the same species commonly seen throughout the Carolinas.

The easiest way to tell the difference between one of Brevard’s white squirrels and a true albino is to look at the eyes.

Brevard’s squirrels have dark eyes, just like the squirrel in our photographs. They may also have small areas of gray, tan, or darker pigmentation around their heads, ears, backs, or feet. Albino animals lack normal melanin pigmentation and typically have pinkish or reddish-looking eyes.

The City of Brevard describes its famous residents as white variants of Eastern gray squirrels rather than a separate species.

When you see one up close, they really are striking. The squirrel we photographed at Brevard College had an almost cream-colored body, dark eyes, lightly colored ears, and an enormous bright-white tail.

How Did White Squirrels Get to Brevard?

The story behind them sounds like something out of a movie.

According to the traditional account preserved by the City of Brevard and the White Squirrel Institute, the story begins in Madison, Florida.

In 1949, two white squirrels reportedly came into the possession of a man named Mr. Black after they were found in his pecan grove. The squirrels were said to have originally escaped after a carnival or circus vehicle was involved in an accident.

The pair eventually made their way to Brevard through H.H. “Harry” Mull, who gave them to his niece, Barbara Mull.

Barbara attempted to breed the squirrels without success. After she married and left home in 1951, one squirrel eventually escaped from its enclosure. Rather than leave the remaining squirrel alone, her grandfather released it, too.

Those two squirrels are traditionally credited with establishing the white-squirrel population for which Brevard would eventually become famous.

Some folklore is mixed into the earliest part of the story, particularly the tale about the carnival accident. But the Mull family’s connection to the squirrels and their release in Brevard is much better documented.

Brevard College Is One of the Best Places to See Them

If you’re visiting Brevard specifically hoping to see a white squirrel, Brevard College should be near the top of your list.

The City of Brevard identifies Brevard College, Silvermont, and Franklin Park as local hot spots for seeing white squirrels. Quiet residential neighborhoods around town can also be good places to look.

Our experience at Brevard College certainly supports its reputation.

We first spotted a white squirrel moving across the grass before it headed for one of the large trees on campus. Once it reached the trunk, it effortlessly climbed vertically up the bark, occasionally stopping long enough for us to get a surprisingly close look.

Eventually it disappeared into the canopy, but not before giving us some great photographs of one of Brevard’s most recognizable residents.

Of course, these are still wild squirrels. There is no guarantee one will appear simply because you visit a particular spot.

Brevard Actually Protects Its Squirrels

The squirrels became such an important part of the community that Brevard took an unusual step in 1986.

The Brevard City Council established a squirrel sanctuary within the city and prohibited hunting, killing, trapping, or otherwise taking protected squirrels within the sanctuary.

Although the white squirrels receive most of the attention, the protection applies more broadly to squirrels within the designated sanctuary.

It is a pretty good indication of just how closely the animals have become tied to Brevard’s identity.

How Common Are White Squirrels in Brevard?

They are unusual, but they aren’t necessarily difficult to find.

The City of Brevard reports that white squirrels account for nearly one-third of the city’s squirrel population. They have also expanded beyond Brevard and can be seen in surrounding communities, including Cedar Mountain, Etowah, and Mills River.

White squirrels occur in several other places around the United States, but Brevard has embraced them to a degree few communities can match.

They appear on signs, souvenirs, artwork, and businesses throughout town and have effectively become an unofficial mascot for the community.

Brevard Even Has a White Squirrel Festival

Brevard’s fascination with its squirrels eventually grew into an annual celebration.

White Squirrel Weekend takes place in downtown Brevard and includes live music, vendors, food, activities, and other events.

There is even a White Squirrel Institute, which works to educate the public and support the protection of the area’s squirrels. The organization traces some of its roots to research conducted by longtime Brevard College biology professor Dr. Robert Glesener, who established the White Squirrel Count.

Brevard also celebrates White Squirrel Day each February 2, complete with a squirrel ambassador making seasonal predictions.

At some point, you have to admit Brevard has taken the squirrel thing pretty seriously.

Tips for Finding a White Squirrel in Brevard

If you’re making a trip specifically to see them, your best strategy is simply to slow down and look around.

Start at Brevard College. The combination of mature trees and open lawns provides excellent squirrel habitat, and the campus is one of the locations the city specifically recommends.

Early morning or late afternoon can be productive times for squirrel activity. Look across lawns first and then follow movement toward the bases and branches of large trees.

And don’t forget to look up.

The squirrel we photographed went from standing on the ground to being surprisingly high in a tree in a matter of moments.

A camera with some zoom is useful, but you shouldn’t need to approach closely. Give the squirrels plenty of room and let them go about their normal behavior.

More Than Just an Odd-Colored Squirrel

It would be easy to dismiss Brevard’s white squirrels as simply a wildlife curiosity.

But after more than seven decades, they’ve become part of the town’s identity.

A pair of unusual squirrels brought to Brevard around 1949 eventually produced a population recognizable enough to inspire research, legal protections, festivals, merchandise, mascots, and generations of visitors wandering around town staring into trees.

And there’s something genuinely fun about finally seeing one.

We went to Brevard College knowing white squirrels were supposed to be there. Then suddenly, there it was: a huge white tail moving across the green lawn before the squirrel raced up one of the campus trees.

For something so closely associated with Brevard, seeing one in person still feels surprisingly special.