Connect with your kids on an outdoor adventure in the Land of Sky.
Asheville is full to the brim with outdoor family fun, from trails and waterfalls to camping and more, thanks to its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. With protected areas like Pisgah National Forest within driving distance, Asheville offers plenty of opportunities to discover the wild side of North Carolina with your youngsters.
And thanks to the rise of outdoor recreation and the well-documented health benefits that natural spaces have on children and adults, it seems that our rugged exteriors are practically begging you to drop your devices and spend some time exploring the forest with your kiddos.
So what are you waiting for? Get inspired with these top outdoor experiences for families, and then check out our Beginner’s Guide to Asheville’s Great Outdoors. You’ll find practical tips on trip planning, gear recommendations, pet-friendly spots and Leave No Trace outdoor adventure principles that help keep our nature all natural.
1. Blue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a top-tier outdoor adventure, featuring sweeping mountain views along scenic overlooks that are perfect for picnicking. Explore verdant forests offering hikes at every skill level, from easy paths perfect for little legs to more moderate hikes to challenge your trailblazing teen. Sprinkle a bit of Appalachian culture and history along the way and you’ve got a day-long outdoor adventure and not a hint of boredom in sight.
The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center at milepost 384 features a kid-friendly TRACK trail (with downloadable maps and self-guided adventures), and a great Junior Ranger program for school-age kids with nature-focused activity sheets to complete and earn badges. ADA-accessible exhibits ensure folks of all abilities can enjoy the center. Around milepost 382 you’ll come across the Folk Art Center. This is a must-stop if your kids love to learn how things are made. See traditional Appalachian arts like pottery and woodworking come alive in the hands of life-long Southern artists.
Pro tip: Check the Blue Ridge Parkway road conditions before you head out to see if weather closures have affected specific sections
2. Bent Creek Gap Road + Explorer Loop + Mountains to Sea Trail
If you’re looking for an easy way to either stroll (or roll!) through the woods with the family, this “secret” dirt road is accessed via a set of unmarked pull-offs found around milepost 400 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. To the south, the road winds down to the North Mills River National Recreation Area. To the north, it connects to Lake Powhatan.
Parking just off the road on the north side, you can start walking the gravel road through beautiful groves of rhododendron and hardwood forest. This road is usually empty except for the occasional mountain biker. If you continue driving north another 2.5 miles, you’ll reach the Explorer Loop Trailhead, a well-maintained branch of the Bent Creek trail system. Any of these options are great for families wanting to get out and walk in the woods and as an introduction to mountain biking.
3. North Mills River National Recreation Area
Looking for a tubing, fishing and hiking area you can reach from Asheville without ever having to get on the interstate? Take Brevard Road (Hwy 191) from West Asheville to North Mills River Road and you’ll stumble across North Mills River National Recreation Area, featuring dense tulip tree forests and excellent trout fishing.
It’s also home to one of the nicest campgrounds near Asheville. The sites are well-shaded and offer a lot more privacy and space than you’ll find at most campgrounds. It’s perfect for a first-time family campout and is open year-round with limited services in winter.
4. Shope Creek Area - Pisgah National Forest, NC
If you’re searching for a more secluded hike, The Shope Creek Watershed offers deep access into the Craggy Mountains of the Pisgah National Forest. There are dramatically varied terrain features including high knobs, old clearings, dense forests, cliffs and creeks. An interactive map with downloadable GPS data is available here.
5. Family Float on the French Broad + French Broad Paddle Trail
Flowing right through Asheville, the French Broad River is the heart of Western North Carolina’s watershed. And with the right planning and gear, anything from a quick afternoon escape to a multi-day adventure is possible. SUP, kayak, canoe and tube rentals are available from spring through fall at the French Broad Outfitters.
A classic first-time experience is putting in at Bent Creek River Park and taking out at Amboy Road River Park. This 3-4 hour float takes you past the Biltmore and ends right before the River Arts District. Check the French Broad Paddle Trail for trip inspiration, including great itineraries and options for riverside camping.
6. Wilma Dykeman Greenway + French Broad River Greenway + Carrier Park
The takeout at Amboy Road River Park is also a great access point to Asheville’s awesome greenway system. From here you can walk or bike upstream along the French Broad River Greenway from Hominy Park in West Asheville through Carrier Park, or downstream along the French Broad River to the French Broad River Park and dog park.
From the dog park, the greenway continues to the River Link Bridge at New Belgium Brewery, connecting to the Wilma Dykeman Greenway through the River Arts District. On this side of the river, you’ll find paved bike lanes perfect for skating/biking and stopping at the River Arts District’s breweries, galleries and restaurants.
7. Western North Carolina Nature Center
Let your littles experience regionally native wildlife up close and in its natural habitat. Western North Carolina Nature Center is like a zoo, but better - with conservation at the heart of its mission, the Center focuses on educating visitors on the more than 60 species that live there.
Easy trails meander along the hillsides above the Swannanoa River with playground structures and biodiverse habitats for the furry residents such as black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, red wolves and everyone’s favorite, the river otters. And it’s open seven days a week, which makes the WNC Nature Center a flexible addition to your vacation plans.
8. Elk Viewing (and Skiing) Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
You’ve heard of bird-watching, but let us put you on something else: elk watching! Since the National Park Service reintroduced native elk to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the herd has thrived and can be spotted hanging around in the Cataloochee Valley. Keep an eye out for local volunteers from the Elk Bugle Corps who can tell you all about the elk, and don’t forget your binoculars! While you’re in Cataloochee Valley, you can also take advantage of great hiking like the Little Cataloochee Trail.
9. Adventure Center of Asheville
Now let’s go where the wood meets the rope. Treetops Adventure Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville offers five different adventure trails that allow you to choose just the right amount of difficulty. Boasting over 60 climbing, leaping, soaring challenges, this spot is perfect for burning off any pent-up energy your kids may have. The course obstacles reflect the free-wheeling character of Asheville with a flying kayak, “swingin’ hula hoops” and more. Adventurers as young as four are welcome to forge their path as long as they have a parent or guardian with them.
10. Fishing at Biltmore Estate
Cast your line in the same ponds, lakes, and river that George Vanderbilt himself once roamed, a favorite haunt for him and his visitors on the grand Biltmore Estate. At the estate’s Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing school, you’ll learn the basics from folks who know these waters like the back of their hand. Ready for more? Go on a half-day adventure to unearth age-old fishing secrets and return a seasoned angler. Kids can take part in a special two-hour session tailored just for them, using the trusty old spinning or casting rods. They provide all the gear; just bring your spirit and let the mountain streams do the rest!
11. North Carolina Arboretum
Last but not least, the North Carolina Arboretum spans over 400 acres of ancient deciduous forest, as well as ten miles of paths for hiking and biking. Get ready to learn loads of names for trees and plants as you and the kids wander through self-guided botanical tours, exploring the rich biodiversity of Southern Appalachia. Be sure to check out the stunning bonsai tree exhibit, and swing by the cozy on-site bistro and gift shop on your way out. The arboretum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from November to March and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. from April to October. Just a single parking fee of $20 lets you load up the van and soak in the beauty!
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