French Broad River

A place like no other near Asheville in North Carolina

French Broad River

Asheville is a great place to have adventures without even exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway! The French Broad River, located on the town’s western edge, offers a plethora of fun activities. You can enjoy tubing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and more. French Broad Outfitters is a highly recommended tour operator that provides a fantastic 3-mile tubing experience down the river. Not only do they offer tubes for you, but they also provide tubes for your cooler if you want to bring drinks, as well as child-sized tubes for families. If you’re interested in renting kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards, they have those options too. Zen Tubing is another place where you can find tube rentals, and if you prefer stand-up paddleboarding with instruction, Wai Muana offers rentals, tours, and lessons.

French Broad Adventures is a great option for adventurous individuals who are looking for thrilling activities near Asheville. This tour operator provides the closest whitewater rafting experiences to the city. In addition to rafting, they also offer exciting zip line tours and canyoneering trips in Pisgah National Forest. However, if you prefer a more relaxed adventure, French Broad Adventures also conducts calm water rafting tours and has a 30-foot-tall rock climbing wall. For those who want to enjoy the scenic river views, you can explore the Biltmore’s Farm Trail by bike or on foot. This trail is part of the Biltmore estate’s network of free-access trails and stretches along the French Broad River for several miles until it reaches the estate’s equestrian center.