Adventure Guides

Welcome to the Asheville Adventure Guide’s Best Family Adventures section. Below you will find information on the best family adventures in the Asheville, NC area including Chimney Rock Park, Lake Lure, the Laurel River Trail, the Davidson River, and the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay.

Hike Chimney Rock State Park (Hickory Nut Gorge)

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Chimney Rock State Park has become one of the most popular outdoor attractions in all of North Carolina. With its wide range of outdoor experiences, this is a great family friendly spot for anyone looking to get a real taste of the mountains. The Park features five unique hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. The focal point of the park is The Chimney which is a towering 315-foot monolith that sits at an elevation of 2,280 feet with its 75-mile views. After a hike, be sure to check out their wide range of rock climbing options and environmental education programs.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 E to Exit 9. Stay on 74A E for 20 miles and

the Park entrance will be on the right.

Paddle Lake Lure (Hickory Nut Gorge)

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Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the warm waters of Lake Lure, a mountain lake nestled in the heart of Hickory Nut

Gorge. Rocky domes and green peaks surround the family-friendly lake on all sides. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the Lake Lure Marina. After the paddle, chill-out and build sand castles at the Beach of Lake Lure.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 E to Exit 9. Stay on 74A E for 20 miles. The Lake Lure Marina is a few miles past Chimney Rock Park.

Walk Laurel River Trail (Hot Springs)

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Nice view in the Hot Spring area

For 3.6 miles, the Laurel River trail follows the picturesque stream of the same name, offering families a flat but scenic hike that ends at a ghost town where the Laurel meets the French Broad.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-26 W for 8.5 miles to Exit 19A to merge onto US 25/70 towards Marshall. Take US 25/70 for 21 miles towards Hot Springs. The Laurel River Trail is at the intersection of Hwy 25/70 and Hwy 208. There is a gravel parking area about 100 yards south of the intersection. Look for the brown Laurel River Trail Forest Service sign.

Swim Davidson River at Coontree Recreation Area (Pisgah National Forest, Brevard)

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There are lots of nice swimming holes and sliding rocks on Davidson River to explore. We recommend this family friendly spot due to safe access to the river, the nice picnic spots and flush toilets (always a plus when in a national forest). After a dip in the river, check out the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. Admission is free to explore their various mountain wildlife exhibits.

Directions from Asheville: Take 1-26 E to Exit 40. Turn right on NC 280 towards Brevard. Follow NC 280 for 16 miles to Hwy 276. Turn right on Hwy 276 for 5 miles to the Coontree Picnic Area on your left. If you want to stop by the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, head up Hwy 276 another .5 miles. Bear to the left onto Forest Service Road 475 for 1.5 miles to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education.

Pisgah National Forest Online Map

Bike the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay (City)

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Kids Busting Out at Carrier Park

Carrier Park and the French Broad River Park (part of the Wilma Dykman RiverWay) on Amboy Road offer two miles of flat, paved greenway trails perfect for biking with younger children. Pedal by the French Broad and enjoy a picnic on the banks of the river.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to Exit 1-B (Farmers Market, Hwy. 191). Turn left at the light and pass over I-240. Turn left at the very next light (I-240 E/ I-26 W.) and stay in the right lane. Take Exit 1-C (Amboy Rd). There are two parking areas along Amboy Rd.—Carrier Park is the first on your right; the French Broad River Park

will be on your left a few miles down Amboy.