7 Fun Outdoor Activities In Asheville, NC

Outdoor Activities In Asheville, NC

Spend your time in the great outdoors during your vacation to the North Carolina mountains! The Asheville area is full of outdoor adventures, including fly fishing, hiking, biking, and so much more!

Read on to find out which outdoor activities in Asheville NC keep visitors coming back year after year for more excitement about nature!

1) Fish The French Broad River And More

The French Broad River is a phenomenal location for fly fishing and other outdoor activities in Asheville NC! While there are at least three public boat launches for accessing the river with your own personal kayak or canoe, you will find countless places to set up for a day of fishing.

If it’s an afternoon of excitement you’re after, try your hand at a guided whitewater rafting trip down the river. You’ll encounter Class II and III rapids as you navigate the waters of the French Broad River, so be prepared to get a little wet!

2) Explore Blue Ridge Parkway On Foot Or By Bike

Located amongst the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile road that winds its way from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and provides the most scenic drives in Western North Carolina.

The Blue Ridge Parkway has multiple opportunities to engage with nature, including hikes to various overlooks, views of some of the highest peaks in the Blue Ridge Mountain range, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails.

Check out some of these notable locations for the ultimate outdoor adventure:

  • Hike to Mount Pisgah, the most iconic peak in Asheville

  • Visit the observation deck on Mount Mitchell

  • Grab maps and info at the Visitor Center

3) Outdoor Enthusiasts Will Fall In Love With Pisgah National Forest

Whether you love mountain biking or want to explore one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, you won’t regret planning a trip to the stunning Pisgah National Forest.

Take a guided hike with Asheville Hiking Tours.

Heavily forested sloping hills, massive mountain peaks, and stunning hardwoods make this an iconic location for mountain biking in North Carolina.

4) Hike To Beautiful Waterfalls In The Dupont State Forest

Asheville NC outdoor activities extend much farther than the streets of downtown and surrounding trails. Head out to Dupont State Forest to embark on a journey down miles and miles of hiking trails leading to beautiful waterfalls and lakes.

This State Forest is the setting for many popular Hollywood films, including The Hunger Games and The Last of The Mohicans, to name a few. You might recognize some of the waterfalls on your journey through the forest!

There are six falls in total throughout the forest and three lakes for the perfect setting for an afternoon of outdoor activities with your family and friends.

Here are a few of the falls you can encounter on your trip to Dupont:

  • Triple Falls

  • Hooker Falls

  • High Falls

5) Discover An All-Ages Excursion At Asheville Treetops Adventure Park

Minutes from downtown is the Asheville Treetops Adventure Park where ages four and up can enjoy over 77 unique family-friendly activities.

The various outdoor activities and treetop trails are connected to more than 30 trees and gigantic poles located in the midst of the mountains. Each trail is catered to various age limitations, skills, and comfort levels, and is marked with a variety of color-coded ropes and other markers.

This Adventure Park also includes an advanced safety system that ensures you are never disconnected from a line at any point until you reach the end of your adventure.

While maneuvering through the park you’ll encounter activities like:

  • Climbing

  • Ziplining

  • Jumping

  • Swinging

  • Repelling

6) Keep Close To Home With Downtown Asheville Activities

You don’t have to head out into the forest or to the river to have fun in the great outdoors of North Carolina! In Downtown Asheville, you can find lots of exciting activities near your accommodations.

This bohemian town includes so many unique shops and art galleries that you could spend an entire day perusing the various storefronts for gifts, souvenirs, clothing, and more.

Enjoy Asheville Foodtopia is what we call our food scene in Asheville, N.C., home to a community of culinary collaborators crafting an experience to nurture your soul. We believe every meal is a celebration. A revelation. And a transcendent experience. And we’re on a pursuit to bring the most unique and memorable food and drink experiences to you.
You can take a Hop on Off Tour with Grayline Sightseeing tours and learn about fascinating Asheville history. 

7) Take A Bus Tour With Mountain Mural Tours

With Mountain Mural Tours, you can encounter Asheville in a new and exciting way. Hop on one of the several bus tours that drive you through town and a skilled local guide will lead you to some of Asheville’s most iconic art installations.

From stunning, realistic wall murals of iconic celebrities like Dolly Parton and Ru Paul to impressive graffiti and sculptures, there’s so much to see on one of these inclusive tours.

Many of the tours include up to 12 people, so be sure to call ahead to schedule your preferred tour before your vacation to ensure a seat on the bus! Book your next great adventure now!

 

Duration
1 hour 30 minutes
Group Size
4 to 12

Mountain Mural Tour-River Arts and Downtown Asheville

Creativity abounds in Asheville and our artists love to take to the streets. Join us on a colorful urban art tour through the River Arts District and Downtown Asheville with an amazing collection of murals, graffiti, sculpture, and street art installations. You’ll learn about the creators’ stories and inspirations, local history, and the community businesses that have made Asheville a national tourist destination.

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$40
Duration
2 hours
Group Size
Up to 14

Street Art and Sips

Asheville is an amazing place to have a destination wedding and enjoy a Bachelorette or Bachelor party before the nuptials. Not to mention the perfect place to get together with your besties and enjoy the sights and flavors of this great city. Our breweries, cideries, and wine producers invest in Asheville's art culture by commissioning some of the best murals in our community. Come learn about urban art culture while you sample Asheville's best spirits. If you need pick-up and drop-off at your lodging an extra fee can be added based on miles from the River Arts District.

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TBD
Duration
2 hours
Group Size
Up to 14

Private Mountain Mural Tour

Take your group on a private tour and paint the town! A Mountain Mural Tour is the perfect way to spend meaningful time with your wedding party, family reunion, bachelor/bachelorette celebration, office party, or birthday pals. These tours are available 7 days a week at flexible times. If you need pick-up and drop off at your lodging an extra fee can be added based on miles from the River Arts District.

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$400
Duration
Group Size
no limit

Gift Card

Purchase a gift card to be redeemed on any offers! A gift card with a value of your choosing! Valid for any of our offerings

Duration
1 hour
Group Size
2 to 12

Walking Foundy Tour

Join us on a walking tour of the Foundy in the River Arts District where we learn about the artists that have worked to create an unforgettable street art experience.

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$30