Name: National Trails State Day
Start: 2026-10-17T10:00:00.000-04:00
End: 2026-10-17T15:00:00.000-04:00
Location: Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Celebrate North Carolina as the Great Trails State at Chimney Rock, with six trails to explore and guided hikes led by a park naturalist through the day.

It's Saturday, October 17, from 10 AM to 3 PM, and it's included with park admission. Lace up the family's hiking shoes and pick a trail.

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.

A great outdoor destination for everyone! Spend the whole day hiking or simply take the elevator to the top for a stunning view. Pack a picnic or grab food in the Sky Lounge or at the Old Rock Cafe.

Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park

Experience the natural beauty of Asheville, NC by exploring its stunning hikes and waterfalls. From easy nature walks to challenging mountain trails, Asheville offers a variety of scenic adventures for all skill levels. Discover breathtaking waterfalls tucked into lush forests, panoramic overlooks, and peaceful river paths ideal for day trips and weekend escapes. Whether you’re a local outdoor enthusiast or visiting for the first time, find detailed guides to the best hiking trails and waterfall spots that showcase Asheville’s spectacular landscapes and rejuvenating wilderness. Embrace adventure and connect with nature in one of the Southeast’s most beautiful outdoor playgrounds. For when the leaves turn, Parkway overlooks and fall hikes near town, see our Dig Deeper guide to fall colors in Asheville.

Best Hikes and Waterfalls Near Asheville, NC

Enjoy Asheville, NC’s vibrant recreational scene with a wide variety of outdoor activities, sports leagues, parks, and family-friendly fun. Whether you love hiking, biking, paddleboarding, or playing sports, Asheville offers endless ways to stay active and engaged. Discover parks, recreational centers, and hidden outdoor gems that encourage community involvement and outdoor exploration. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, Asheville’s recreation options foster wellness, fun, and connection to nature and community. Find the best spots to unwind, get active, and make lasting memories in this dynamic mountain town.

Things to Do in Asheville, NC: Recreation and Activities

Unlock the best of Asheville, NC through unforgettable tours and experiences that showcase the city’s natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and local culture. Whether you want guided outdoor adventures, historic city tours, art crawls, or foodie explorations, Asheville offers a diverse array of activities for all interests. Find curated excursions that highlight waterfalls, mountain trails, local farms, breweries, and cultural landmarks. Perfect for visitors and locals alike, these experiences create lasting memories and deepen your connection to Asheville’s unique charm and character. Explore the latest tour options, event packages, and insider tips to make your visit extraordinary.

Tours in Asheville, NC: Food, Trolley, Walking and Pub Tours

Asheville is a dog friendly town, and these breweries, restaurant patios, bars, shops and pet services welcome you and your dog. Many breweries allow leashed dogs, including Highland Brewing and its meadow in East Asheville, Wedge Brewing, RAD Brewing, New Belgium and Ginger's Revenge in the River Arts District, and Archetype, One World West and Westville Pub on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, Wicked Weed's brewpub has two pet friendly patios, the Funkatorium is on the South Slope, and Twisted Laurel and Posana have dog friendly patios near Pack Square. Woodfin has Zillicoah, Riverside Rhapsody and Salt Face Mule along the French Broad River. South of town, try Sweeten Creek Brewing, 12 Bones Smokehouse in Arden, Turgua in Fairview, and Sierra Nevada and Mills River Brewing in Mills River. Black Mountain has Pisgah Brewing and Lookout Brewing. For pet supplies and care, visit Asheville Pet Supply on Merrimon Avenue and All Pets Animal Hospital on Patton Avenue. Every listing below has hours, photos and directions.

Dog-Friendly Breweries, Bars and Shops in Asheville, NC

Looking for things to do with kids in Asheville? Find wildlife, hands-on museums, farm days, arcades, bowling and outdoor theater. In East Asheville, the WNC Nature Center has black bears, red wolves, river otters and red pandas on Gashes Creek Road. Near downtown, the Asheville Tourists play minor league baseball at HomeTrust Park, long known as McCormick Field. Downtown, the Asheville Art Museum on Pack Square has a makerspace where kids and grown-ups make art together, and Asheville Community Theatre on Walnut Street stages youth productions. In West Asheville, Sky Lanes has been bowling on Patton Avenue since 1963, with bumpers and an arcade, and Asheville Retrocade on Haywood Road is packed with vintage arcade games and pinball. South of town, Claying Around on Hendersonville Road is a paint-your-own pottery studio, and Sweeten Creek Brewing has a big creekside lawn with cornhole and barbecue. Out in Fairview, Hickory Nut Gap Farms runs hay rides and pony rides on fall weekends. Each summer, Montford Park Players stage free outdoor Shakespeare in Montford. Asheville Parks & Recreation runs more than 50 parks with playgrounds, swimming, trails and community centers.

National Trails State Day

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