presented by Watershed
Paddle eight miles of class II whitewater through a steep, narrow mountain gorge. This classic rafting trip ends with the unnerving class III Nantahala Falls.
Hooker Falls is an 11-foot drop stretching the entire width of the Little River in Dupont State Forest. At the base of the falls, the river widens into a deep pool that beckons swimmers. Do the breast stroke beneath the falls or lounge on the rocky bank.
Canoe seven miles of the French Broad River as it meanders from the Bent Creek River Park to the Southern Waterways River Park. You’ll paddle through the Biltmore Estate, navigate mild rapids, and have plenty of
opportunities for cool dips in the French Broad’s deep waters.
This three-tiered waterfall along the Yellowstone Prong drops a total of 30 feet through a rocky bend in an ice-cold mountain stream. Perched on the edge of the tallest falls is a rock that juts over a deep plunge pool. Jump at your own risk.
The French Broad is calm as it cuts around downtown Asheville, but it’s a torrent of whitewater further west near Hot Springs. Run the half-day trip for an experience chocked full of class II-III rapids, or extend your trip to a full day and tackle the class IV Frank Bell’s rapid.
Rafting: Nantahala Outdoor Center / noc.com / 888-905-7238
Canoe the French Broad: Southern Waterways / paddlewithus.com / 800-849-1970
Cool River Event: French Broad River Festival May 1-3 / frenchbroadriverfestival.com
Give Back: American Whitewater / americanwhitewater.org