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 a quiet family walk through the woods, 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.
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. Family Float on the French Broad + Greenway Adventures
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 Asheville Adventure Company.
A classic first-time experience is putting in at Bent Creek River Park and taking out at Amboy Riverfront 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.
The takeout at Amboy Riverfront Park is also a great access point to Asheville’s greenway system. From here, you can walk or bike upstream along the French Broad River Greenway through Carrier Park, where the greenway is open even though the west side of the park remains closed due to Helene-related damage; the section through French Broad River Park remains closed.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: The French Broad River is open for recreation! Thanks to the collective efforts of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and local businesses, access points have largely been restored. You can check the status of specific sites on the French Broad Paddle Trail website, and check in directly with land managers by contacting Buncombe County, City of Asheville, and Town of Woodfin. We look forward to seeing you on and around our river!
5. 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 and a focus on educating visitors about the 60 species of wildlife that live or once lived in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
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.
6. 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.
7. Adventure Center of Asheville
Now let’s go where the wood meets the rope. Treetops Adventure Park at the Adventure Center of Asheville offers seven aerial trails with 77 elements, giving families plenty of ways to choose just the right amount of challenge while burning off any pent-up energy. 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.
8. Family Fun at Biltmore Estate
If your crew is craving a full day of outdoor fun, Biltmore offers plenty of room to play. Kids can burn off energy at Pisgah Playground in Antler Hill Village, meet farm animals at the Farmyard, and explore the estate by foot or bike along its scenic trails and grounds. Families looking to add a little more wonder to the day can also book a Naturalist experience, which may include a guided bird walk through the fields and open woodlands near Antler Hill Village, with time to spot wildlife and learn more about the estate’s landscape along the way. Admission, an Annual Pass, or an overnight stay is required to take part in activities on the estate.
9. 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 $25 lets you load up the van and soak in the beauty!
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