The Iconic Biltmore Estate

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 Just 5 Minutes from downtown Asheville you'll find fun for the whole family. From Zip Lining, Tree Top Adventures for all ages, Bike Trails and Beginner Zip-lining for the Kiddos under12.

Serious Zip Line experiences near lake lure about 45-50 minutes from Downtown Asheville, you'll sail high above the trees on these advanced courses. UTV tours also available.

 Navitat Zip Lining experience is a company based in Barnardsville North of downtown Asheville, about 20-25 minutes. Founded in 2010 this is a tree based zip lining experience with different choice runs. UTV tours also available.

 Linville Falls  (1 hour outside Asheville) is probably the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina. It is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 316.4, about 66 miles north of Asheville. You can hike to five viewpoints via two trails leaving from the Visitors Center (1.5 miles drive from the Parkway). The Visitors Center offers restrooms, a picnic area and an information center.

 Dry Falls, (1.5 hours outside Asheville) a popular waterfall located a few miles outside of Highlands, gives you the rare treat of walking safely behind a waterfall. This 75-ft. tall waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest flows over a cliff, allowing you to walk behind the falls and stay dry (hence the name).

 Rainbow Falls (35-40 minutes outside Asheville) is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horse-pasture River. The best feature of Rainbow Falls is the ability for visitors to experience the falls from the front, bottom, side and top! 

  A short drive (20 miles) from downtown Asheville takes you up, up, up on the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile-high Craggy Gardens. As you approach the area, you will first see a sign for the Craggy Picnic Area to the left. It's a short drive up the mountain to many picnic tables and a gorgeous hike across the bald. Continue straight on the Parkway a few more miles to reach the Visitor Center for east and west panoramic views. Enjoy the crisp air, summer rhododendron and super scenic trails. Since this location is more than 3,500 ft. higher in elevation than Asheville, temperatures tend to be 10-20 degrees cooler than the city. If you are greeted by low clouds and fog, wait a bit. The weather often changes quickly.

About 35-40 minutes from  downtown Hendersonville and 55 minutes from Asheville. Cedar Creek offers guided one hour and one and a half hour trail rides through the creek and on wide mountain trails. Whether you are looking to experience the spring fragrance of blooming mountain laurel and rhododendron, the warm summer air in a canopy of trees, fall's leaf color changes or winter with it's crisp air and increased view it's a sight to behold! 

An easy for all the family hike about (About 25 miles; 30 minutes outside Asheville).

 1.5 miles each way; 3 miles round-trip

Catawba Falls is relatively close to downtown Asheville (just 25 miles away) and offers stunning beauty thanks to a series of cascades that, together, are 100 feet tall. The U.S. Forest Service recently has made the easy-to-moderate trail even more enjoyable by adding two new footbridges so that you no longer have to rock hop across the river to enjoy the falls. The hike is just three miles round trip.

As you pass through the hardwood forest, the trail stays close to the water the whole way. The sound of the water varies from a light gurgling to a loud rush, but it’s always a nice accompaniment to the hike.

A moderate Hike(about 1.5 hours outside Asheville) the 4.5-mile loop hike on Cedar Rock Mountain in DuPont State Recreational Forest provides wonderful mountain views and dramatic scenery. Rising only a few hundred feet above the surrounding plateau, Cedar Rock Mountain contains some of the most exposed granite in western North Carolina. Hundreds of acres alternate between bare and moss/lichen covered rock. The area is a local favorite with both hikers and mountain bikers. It's a short drive from the very busy High Falls parking area (visitor center & restrooms), but most miss this jewel of of hike that offers plenty of variety. Park at the Corn Mill Shoals Access area on Casade Lake Road (directions at bottom of page). Cedar Rock is about 43 miles from Asheville, located between Brevard and Hendersonville.

10 miles from downtown Hendersonville, take a tranquil walk in the woods and learn a little about the forest as you go. Just 4.5 miles from the very busy (and often over crowded) DuPont State Recreational Forest is much less known Holmes Educational State Forest. Find a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, exhibits and even talking trees! In addition to free admission, all of their programs and special tours are free. It's just 10 miles from downtown Hendersonville.

Your first stop should be the Forestry Center with audio-visual exhibits about our natural forest environment. For more in-depth information, stop by the office at the entrance to the forest to talk to a ranger.

North of Asheville in Marshall about 30-35 minutes. We love the outstanding views from here! 

Their trail rides are perfect for people of all ages and horseback riding abilities. They have no age limit, a 250 lb weight limit, and are flexible to meet your needs. Horseback riding at Sandy Bottom. All rides are accompanied by friendly, experienced trail guides. 

The Riveter Climbing Gym boasts over 16,000 sf of climbing terrain. With a lead climbing cave, 14 auto-belays, and 68 rope lanes, there is something for every level climber. The boulder area features 60 boulder routes, a campus board with Tension rungs, and a 12' adjustable KILTER board. The dedicated kids climbing cove has 2 massive geometrix climbing routes, 11 rope stations, and a boulder area that tops out to the world's coolest slide. Riveter also features state-of-the-art hang board and pulley systems to support recreation and competitive fitness.

The outdoor terrain is differentiated by four unique lines, from green to double black. With rollers, berms, gap jumps, table tops, + a series of progressive bridges, this terrain is the perfect spot for any rider trying to progress their skills on the bike. The novice section outside features 3 entry level pump lines, making an ideal warm up for our terrain.The CANOPY is a covered portion of the bike park with four separate lines from green to black.

They offer a wide range of the best rental bikes to accommodate mini-shredders to adult riders. They also carry helmets and pads.

Open for season from April 30.

At Sliding Rock each summer, thousands of children and adults slip and slide down this favorite natural mountain waterfall in Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina. Sliders patiently line up and wait their turn as one-by-one they ride the chilly water (50-60 degrees!) down the 60-foot flat, sloping boulder. They make a splash in an eight-foot deep pool and swim a few strokes to the shore, get in line, and do it all over again.

This natural water slide, located eight miles from Brevard, is fueled by 11,000 gallons of water flowing down the rock each minute. It is extremely popular on hot summer days, so be patient! There are plenty of areas to relax on rocks or watch from observation decks.