Western North Carolina is perfect for explorers who don’t mind getting wet. Mother Nature carved out a water park in the area, leaving behind calm wading pools, exciting water slides, memorable swimming holes and rollicking rapids. Some are easily accessible, a few require an adventuresome spirit, and several have lifeguards or trained staff on duty.
List of Water Adventures:
There are 16 Things To Do in Asheville listed on this page.
Beach at Lake Lure
 | Float on an inner tube, picnic in the shade, or just catch some rays at this beach in the mountains. Enjoy the Water Works with water slides and other soaking-wet fun. |  828-625-1373 2724 Memorial Highway |
Blue Ridge Motion Pictures
| Studio tour offers a guided walk through of the sound stages, wet stage for water effects, re-enactment of scenes from projects filmed and some of the secrets of movie production from an insider’s viewpoint. | 828-296-1499 12 Old Charlotte Highway |
Crooked Creek Golf Club
| The 18-hole course features 6,652 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. With tall pines, lots of water and character. | 828-692-2011 764 Crooked Creek Road |
French Broad Rafting Expeditions
| Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on Asheville's own French Broad River. Just 30 miles from Asheville. A guide in every raft guaranteed! Five-mile & nine-mile whitewater trips or calm water rentals available. | 828-649-0486 9800 U.S. Hwy. 25/70, Bypass |
Huck Finn Rafting Adventures
| Guided whitewater rafting (min age 8) and calm water float trips (min age 4). Group rates, package deals, scout trips and more. A great day trip only 45 minutes from Asheville in Hot Springs. Our most important trip is yours. | 828-622-9645 158 Bridge Street |
Lake Lure Tours
| Step aboard and discover one of the most spectacular lakes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Daily and hourly tours, lunch cruises, and dinner cruises. Or, rent a boat from the marina and explore the lake on your own. | 828-625-1373 2930 Memorial Highway |
Lake Powhattan
| Lake Powhattan, in the Bent Creek area of the Pisgah National Forest, offers the perfect place for a swim after a hike or mountain bike ride along the trails. | Pisgah National Forest |
McDowell County
| Along the Blue Ridge Parkway, discover the mountaintop villages of Linville Falls and Little Switzerland; the foothills towns of Marion, Old Fort or Linville Gorge; or scenic Lake James. | 828-652-1103 PO Box 1028 |
Nantahala Outdoor Center
| NOC has been home to 15 canoe and kayak Olympians and rated “#1 Vacation with a Splash” by Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventure. Raft with us on the French Broad, Nantahala, Pigeon, and Nolichucky. | 828-488-2175 13077 Highway 19 West |
Shadowbrook Golf & Games
| Two championsip minature golf courses with natural landscaping and water features. Snack bar, arcade, party rooms - great for families. | 828-669-5499 701 Highway 9 |
Sliding Rock – A Natural Water Slide
| The king of swimming holes in the mountains near Asheville, this 60 foot natural water slide down a well-worn slab of rock was providing summertime entertainment long before water slides became standard fare. | 828-877-3265 Pisgah National Forest |
Smoky Mountain Jet Boats
| Hold on to the safety rails as your skilled driver cruises and spins the 12-passenger boat 360-degrees, all against the backdrop of Fontana Lake. Combination hike and jet boat trips are also available. Suitable for all ages. | 828-488-0522 22 Needmore Road |
Southern Waterways
| Calm water float trips on the French Broad River through Biltmore Estate property. Canoes, kayaks, rafts and tubes. Family fun adventure. Minimum child weight requirement is 35 pounds. Beautiful riverside facilities. | 828-232-1970 521 Amboy Road |
Taylor Ranch
| A 500-acre working Paint horse and Texas Longhorn cattle ranch available for meetings, weddings, family celebrations or reunions. It offers enclosed and open-air pavilions, sports facilities, lake and regional catering. | 828-684-6650 Cane Creek Road |
The Essence Center Spa
| A premier day spa in a private cove providing massage, body treatments, retreats for relaxation & lifestyle change, hot tub, sauna, private lake, access to hiking, yoga, meditation and gourmet cuisine in a serene setting. | 828-658-8198 530 Upper Flat Creek Road |
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting
| 37 years experience; family, group,& high adventure trips; team building; 5 SE rivers; offering the best whitewater fun in the Asheville area with unparalleled attention to detail on & off the water. Quality Service Guarantee | 800-451-9972 10345 Highway 19 West |