The Adventure Collective
Local. Outdoor. Adventure.
Hike to Foster Falls (Marion County): Foster Falls Small Wild Area is part of the South Cumberland State Park and centers on a 60-foot waterfall. Start the hike at the picnic area at the Foster Falls sign and head 0.5 miles to the foot of the falls. Also, be on the look-out for climbers at this popular climbing spot. Directions from Chattanooga: Take I-24 W for 19 miles to exit 158/TN-27 towards Powells Crossroads. Turn right at Baptist Hill...
Visit Rock City & Ruby Falls (Lookout Mountain): These two natural wonders atop Lookout Mountain are a stones throw away from each other so we recommend hitting both spots. Rock City has many options for adventure but we recommend Lover’s Leap, the Swing-A-Long Bridge, and Observation Point for stellar views. Another bonus of Rock City is that it is...
Coontree Picnic Area & Swimming Hole: One of Brevard’s best swimming hole and a great place to stop for a picnic in Pisgah National Forest is found at the Coontree Recreation Area in Pisgah National Forest, located just outside of Brevard on US 276. While there are a lot of nice swimming holes and sliding rocks on Davidson River to explore,...
Explore Lake James: Lake James AdventuresLarge lakes with expansive mountain views are hard to come by in the Asheville area. However, just 40 miles east is the 6500 acre Lake James with 150 miles of shoreline and sweet views of the Black Mountain Range. Your best bet for recreation is the Lake James State Park which currently covers 600...
French Broad River Paddling + Rafting + Tubing: The French Broad River flows 218 miles starting in nearby Transylvania County into Tennessee and provides some excellent whitewater rafting and float opportunities in the area. The river is calm as it cuts around downtown Asheville, but it’s a torrent of whitewater further west near Hot Springs. For a relaxing day we recommend taking a mellow float down the river for a fun, family-friendly adventure. One the best access points is at...
Wilma Dykeman Riverway: Bike, walk, or run the Wilma Dykeman Riverway – 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. Be...
Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Francis Marion National Forest): The Palmetto Trail, signature project of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, crosses the state from the mountains to the sea with the Awendaw Passage its coastal terminus. The 7 mile Awendaw Passage passes through maritime forests of pine and palmetto and is arguably the northernmost “tropical” trail in the U.S....
Experience a Real Lowcountry Swamp (Harleyville): When most people think of the Lowcountry they think of beaches. That beach mentality often keeps folks from participating in an authentic and rewarding swamp experience. Located in Four Holes Swamp and off the beaten path, the Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest includes a 1.75 mile boardwalk trail set within 1,800 acres...
Biking Around Lake Moultrie (Lake Moultrie): For 26 miles, the Palmetto Trail skirts the banks of Lake Moultrie following a wide dike that’s often immediately along the shore. The packed dirt trail is flat which allows for a great family ride for all levels of riders. The final 3 miles at the trail’s western end passes through a pine forest, including a boardwalk and bridge over a creek. Primitive campsites with khand-operated water pumps are near the Diversion Canal...
Paddle at North Chickamauga Creek Greenway (Hixson): This family friendly area covers over 220 acres that includes the Greenway Farm and several miles of trails for hiking and biking. With the three river access points, we suggest paddling this gentle section of the North Chickamauga Creek. Directions from Chattanooga: Take I-24 E to I-75 N to the Hwy 153...
Are you ready to take the family on an adventure they won’t soon forget? If so, check out a few of our picks for best family adventures in the Boone area. We’ve got everything from ziplining to nature hikes to picnics by a beautiful river. What more can you ask for? Boone Family Adventure Experts: Foscoe Rentals 133 Echota Pkwy,...
10 Outdoor Adventures In Hendersonville Presented By Jump Off Rock: For a fun and easy adventure close to town, we like Jump Off Rock: a scenic overlook that provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures and the distant mountain ranges of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah National Forest. There are three hiking trails at Jump Off Rock varying in length and...
Dupont State Forest: In Transylvania County, the place known as the Land of Waterfalls thanks to its high concentration of beautiful waterfalls, few places are as spectacular as DuPont State Forest. Few places in North Carolina offer the opportunity to view towering waterfalls in such close proximity as in DuPont State Recreational Forest. We recommend starting at the Hooker Falls parking area and crossing the Little River on the newly installed bridge before heading roughly 1 mile upstream (stay left at every...
This hike is understandably one of the more popular in Pisgah. A short hike (just under 1.5 miles round trip) on a well-marked trail provides access to this 50′ waterfall. Suitable for young kids and less experienced hikers, the trail has some fun features like creeks and boulders to explore. Although the destination free-falling waterfall is pretty cool, the...
Cradle of Forestry in America Heritage Site: The Cradle of Forestry in America is a 6,500 acre historic site within the Pisgah National Forest. Congress set the Cradle aside to commemorate the beginning of forest conservation in the United States. The Cradle of Forestry tells the story of the Biltmore Forest School, the first forestry school in the US,...
A lesser known gem, Holmes Educational State Forest is located just over the Henderson County line from Transylvania County – about 2 minutes past the road to DuPont State Recreational Forest. This little 240 acre beauty is home to the “Talking Trees Trail” – a short educational loop for kids that also features wonderful exhibits and displays featuring the...
Linville River Picnic Area: If your idea of a relaxing afternoon involves grilling out beside a fast moving stream brimming with hungry trout, then the Linville River Picnic Area on the Blue Ridge Parkway is your spot. The area features a wide-range of different grills at various locations throughout the 1 acre park offering visitors a chance to take in the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains while enjoying the amenities of a developed recreation area. After relaxing,...
Valle Crucis Community Park: A 22 acre park just behind the landmark, nearly 130-year-old Mast General Store, is a family-friendly hotspot. There’s great birding in the park that includes a small wetland pond and gurgling stretch of the Watauga River. Take the easy, paved 1-mile loop along the stream on Wednesday morning and join the weekly bird hike with local...
Mt. Jefferson State Park: West Jefferson is a small town with a lot of character just a short drive from Boone. The nearby Mt. Jefferson State Park provides visitors with a great opportunity to drive up and check out the view from one of the highest mountains in the area (4,684 ft.) Several short trails near the summit offer...
Laurel River Family Friendly Trail: Walk Laurel River trail in Hot Springs. 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. The Laurel River Trail, located within Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs,...
Explore Lake Lure (Chimney Rock): 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. The family-friendly beach next to Lake Lure Marina offers water slides, a swimming area with beach and plenty of areas to enjoy a picnic (day use...
Smoky Mountain Adventure Center: Asheville’s newest climbing gym features a 34-foot high climbing wall that is the first permanent climbing wall in the up and coming River Arts District in Asheville and is the only lead climbing wall in Asheville. The new adventure center also features outdoor gear rental businesses and is home to Earthsports Design, an Asheville-based backpack manufacturer. It also...
