Outdoor Things to Do in Asheville

Asheville Parks & Recreation runs the City of Asheville's parks, community centers, pools and greenways, with more than 50 parks across town. Highlights include the 17,000 square foot Asheville Skatepark downtown, with a beginner bowl, a street course and an advanced vertical bowl, and Splasheville, the splash pad in Pack Square Park. Asheville Municipal Golf Course, the Donald Ross course locals call Muni, dates to the 1920s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Community centers across the city host afterschool programs, summer camps, youth athletics and classes for kids, teens and adults. Every October brings the Festival of Frights, with costume parties for people and dogs, creepy climbing and crafts. The department office is at 70 Court Plaza downtown, and you can reserve picnic shelters for birthdays and reunions.

The WNC Nature Center is a 42-acre wildlife park on Gashes Creek Road in East Asheville, and it's all about the animals of the Southern Appalachians. Black bears, red and gray wolves, cougars, bobcats and river otters live in big wooded habitats, plus red pandas, and the new Gateway to the Southern Appalachians area was just finished this year. It's open every day from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, with last admission at 3:30. Adult tickets run $16.95 plus tax, kids 3 to 12 are $12.95, 2 and under get in free, and City of Asheville residents pay less. Active duty and retired military get in free, and the ticket window is cashless. The calendar stays busy, with monthly behind-the-scenes Wild Walks, Wolf Howl nights in the fall, a stuffed animal Critter Check Up in December, and Brews & Bears after-hours nights with beer and live music on second Fridays in summer.

Jus' Running is a specialty running store at 523 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville that calls itself Western North Carolina's running headquarters. Walk in for a custom shoe fitting with a biomechanical analysis, no appointment needed, then stock up on running shoes, apparel, gear and fuel. Owner Norm leads the Tuesday Track workouts, and there are training programs for the Asheville Marathon and Half. Every $250 you spend earns a $15 store credit. It's open Monday through Saturday 10 to 6 and Sunday 1 to 5.

Zen Tubing is Asheville’s premier tubing rental, with two convenient locations just minutes from downtown. We’re open 7 days a week, and our shuttles depart every 10 minutes between 10:30 am and 4 pm. Ask about our group rates and frequent floater deals.

Mount Mitchell State Park is a state park off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Burnsville, about 35 miles northeast of Asheville, and its 6,684-foot summit is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. From the Parkway at Milepost 355.4, NC 128 climbs about 4.5 miles to the summit parking area. A paved, accessible Summit Trail leads to the observation platform at the top, and longer hiking trails head out across the ridge, including the Deep Gap Trail to Mount Craig. Day use is free.

Experience the best of the mountains all in one place! Enjoy six unique hiking trails, 75-mile panoramic views, and the tallest waterfall in any North Carolina State Park.

Liberty Bicycles is a full-service bike shop at 1378 Hendersonville Road in South Asheville, serving Western North Carolina since 1980. It sells bikes for every kind of rider plus gear, and offers bike fitting, repairs, tune-up packages, rentals you can reserve online and trade-ins. Special financing is available, and it carries closeout bikes for riders on a budget.

Graveyard Fields is a waterfall hiking trail in a high mountain valley off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 418.8, about an hour southwest of Asheville, with two waterfalls on the Yellowstone Prong. Lower Falls, also called Second Falls, is the quick one. A paved path and a 60-step wooden stairway drop to the base of the falls, about 20 minutes round trip from the overlook. Upper Falls takes more effort. Follow the blue-blazed Graveyard Fields Loop Trail across the open meadow, then turn onto the orange-blazed Upper Falls Trail. It's about a mile from the parking lot, and the last half mile is rockier and steeper, with Upper Falls dropping in two sections. A hike that takes in both falls runs about 2.5 miles round trip. Side trails crisscross the valley, so carry a map. The meadow fills with wildflowers in summer and wild blueberries later in the season.

Taylor's Wave is a man-made standing whitewater wave in the French Broad River in Woodfin, next to Riverside Park on Riverside Drive. The Town of Woodfin built it from natural rock and concrete for intermediate and advanced kayakers, river surfers and freestyle paddlers, with a calmer channel alongside for tubes, rafts and anyone who'd rather float past. It's named for Taylor Hunt, an expert paddler who died in a 2015 whitewater accident, and it's free to use.

Reed Creek Greenway is a short paved creekside path in North Asheville, running just under a mile from W.T. Weaver Boulevard to Elizabeth Street at the edge of Montford. It follows Reed Creek under shady trees and over wooden bridges, and it links UNC Asheville, Asheville Botanical Garden and Weaver Park to the Glenn's Creek Greenway. It's an easy, flat walk for strollers, dogs on leash and bike riders.

Hooker Falls is a short, family friendly hike to a 20 foot waterfall in Dupont State Recreational Forest. Check out the 360 degree video created by our friends at Hike NC with Me: https://youtu.be/C7izjmon09s

Located within the scenic Pisgah National Forest just south of downtown Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum encompasses 434 acres of stunning cultivated gardens, hiking and biking trails, and outdoor discovery spaces. Easily accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway and located at 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, the Arboretum is a premier destination for nature lovers, families, and outdoor enthusiasts. Key highlights include the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, National Native Azalea Repository, inspiring Quilt Garden, and multiple garden-themed trails representing native Appalachian flora. The Arboretum also features year-round rotating educational exhibits and programs, a visitor center with a gift shop showcasing regional crafts, and seasonally operated on-site dining. While admission is free, a parking fee applies to most vehicles. The Arboretum welcomes pedestrians, cyclists, and members with no charge. Accessibility features include wheelchair-friendly paths and complimentary wheelchairs available on-site.

Looking Glass Falls is a roadside waterfall and swimming hole with a super easy hike for the whole family. The watering hole is 100% free and great to visit even on chillier days.

One stop shop for all things bike related.

Wintergreen Falls is a waterfall hike in DuPont State Recreational Forest near Hendersonville, about an hour south of downtown Asheville. It's one of the smallest falls in the 10,400-acre forest, a cascading drop over boulders. The easy trail starts at the Guion Farm Access Area on Sky Valley Road and follows the Guion Farm and Tarklin Branch trails to Wintergreen Falls Trail, about 1.25 miles each way, or roughly 3 miles round trip with about 250 feet of elevation change. The trails are shared with mountain bikers and horseback riders, and it's a good weekday or early weekend hike when the bigger falls are crowded.

Jean Webb Park is a small riverfront park on Riverside Drive in the River Arts District of Asheville, tucked under the Haywood Road bridge on the French Broad River. It has river access steps for paddlers and anglers, accessible benches and water viewing areas, a pollinator garden kept by Asheville GreenWorks, picnic areas, public art and open lawn. It sits right on the Wilma Dykeman Greenway, with public restrooms across the street at 8 River Arts Place. It's open every day from 6am to 10pm.

Diamond Brand Outdoors is Western North Carolina's first outdoor store, with shops at 53 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville and 1378 Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. For more than 50 years it has sold outdoor apparel, footwear, camping and hiking gear, travel packs and paddle gear, from brands like Hoka and Osprey to kayaks, paddles and PFDs.

Richmond Hill Park is a wooded city park on Richmond Hill Drive in West Asheville, covering about 180 acres above the French Broad River. It has an 18-hole disc golf course, natural-surface hiking and mountain bike trails kept up by Pisgah Area SORBA volunteers, a bike skills area, a picnic shelter and restrooms. The park is partly reopened after Hurricane Helene, and some trails have new reroutes and hazard closures. It's open every day from 6am to 10pm, and leashed dogs are welcome.

Max Patch is a grassy bald and hiking trail on the Appalachian Trail in Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, about an hour and fifteen minutes northwest of Asheville. A 1.5-mile loop trail climbs to the 4,629-foot summit, where 360-degree views take in the Great Smokies, the Black Mountains and the Bald Mountains. The last miles of the drive are narrow gravel forest road, and the parking lot is small. Camping and fires are banned on the bald through June 2029, and the area is open from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sundown.

Blue Ridge Hiking Co. is a guided hiking and backpacking company based at 70 College Street in downtown Asheville, founded by Jennifer Pharr Davis. Guides lead half-day and full-day hikes, overnight and week-long backpacking trips, women's backpacking trips, corporate group hikes and thru-hike training. Fall trips include the Art Loeb Trail, Max Patch on the Appalachian Trail, the Roan Highlands and the Smokies, and the company runs a bunkhouse in Hot Springs.

Sam Knob is a towering mountain just off the Blue Ridge Parkway that tops out at just over 6,000 feet elevation! Check out the 360 degree video with our friends at Hike NC with Me : https://youtu.be/lb_kumycra0

Sliding Rock is a natural water slide and swimming hole at a Pisgah National Forest recreation park, 7851 Pisgah Highway, north of Brevard. Looking Glass Creek runs down a 60-foot slab of rock into a pool 8 to 10 feet deep, and the water is cold and fast. An observation platform overlooks the slide. Lifeguards are on duty and restrooms are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rest of the year there are no lifeguards and the restrooms are closed. Sliders need to be able to swim.

Namaste in Nature runs outdoor yoga retreats near Asheville, called Micro Retreats, that mix hiking, meditation, forest bathing and yoga on trails in Pisgah National Forest and around Western North Carolina. Public tours run 2 or 3 hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with waterfall, mountain vortex and sunset trips, and mats are provided. Private bookings cover birthdays, bachelorette parties, weddings, reunions and corporate retreats. The team also offers private yoga classes, sound baths, cacao ceremonies, Yoga in the Park and mobile massage from 30 to 90 minutes, either at your rental or in a park along the river.

Black Dome Mountain Sports is Asheville’s original, locally-owned outdoor gear outfitter, serving Western North Carolina adventurers for over 40 years. Located just outside downtown on Tunnel Road, Black Dome offers a premium selection of outdoor apparel, hiking boots, trail running shoes, climbing equipment, camping gear, kayaks, and travel essentials from brands like Patagonia, Osprey, Rab, Cotopaxi, and more. Their expert staff provides personalized fittings and advice for everyone from beginners to seasoned backcountry pros. The store also hosts the Carolina Climbing Museum and Southern Appalachian Paddlesports Museum, great for outdoor education and inspiration.

Choose your adventure! We offer whitewater rafting, zipline canopy tours, calm water float trips, & canyoneering - we’ve got it all! Both family & locally owned, French Broad Adventures is where the locals come to play. Book 2 or more activities & save!

Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary is a free wetland nature preserve on Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville, run by Blue Ridge Audubon. A 3/8-mile accessible boardwalk loop winds through about 10 acres of marsh and woods with overlooks onto Beaver Lake, and more than 220 bird species have been spotted here over the years. A longer path of about 2 miles circles the whole lake for an easy walk. Blue Ridge Audubon leads a free guided bird walk the first Saturday of every month, meeting at the gazebo. The sanctuary is open dawn to dusk every day of the year. Blue Ridge Audubon is replacing 500 feet of the boardwalk with longer-lasting composite from November 2026 into spring 2027.

The hike to Looking Glass Rock is a moderate to strenuous trail at 6.1 miles with a rewarding view from the top that makes the hike worth it! Check out the 360 degree video created by our friends at Hike NC with Me: https://youtu.be/CdChLLECCyc

Riverside Cemetery is a historic garden cemetery and public park on Birch Street in the Montford neighborhood of Asheville. Founded in 1885 and owned by the city since 1952, it covers 87 acres of rolling hills, old trees and winding paved lanes. Writers Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry are buried here, along with Governor Zebulon Vance and photographer George Masa. Self-guided tour maps are at the kiosk and the office, and the hilly lanes make a good walk any season. The cemetery is open every day from 7am, closing at 6pm in winter and at 8pm in the warmer months.

Whitewater rafting, zipline activities, mountain biking and stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Fontana.

Bent Creek Experimental Forest is a national forest research area just southwest of Asheville, next to the North Carolina Arboretum off Brevard Road. Established in 1927, it is the oldest experimental forest in the East, and today it is open for mountain biking and hiking. Trails include Explorer Loop, Homestead, Deerfield Loop and Pine Tree Loop, and Lake Powhatan has a swim beach, picnic tables and fishing. Horseback riding is allowed on marked trails. Leashed dogs are welcome.