20 Outdoors Things To Do in Asheville with Kids
Hey there, I’m Ceiara.
As a homeschool mom of two there's one huge love that we've learned to live each day over the years ---immersing in nature. My family & I moved to Western North Carolina about 2 years ago from Florida and there I thought we had a lot of outdoor opportunities ...until we experienced the ever-lasting lush Blue Ridge Mountains. Here has been a new adventure for us week after week, no matter the season. Though it was a bit different adjusting to the winter months and sometimes weeks of rain, we learned that layering-up, packing back-up wardrobes and preparing to get wet/muddy/climb/find critters and then some was part of the exciting discoveries we encountered each adventure! The trails, creeks & mountain views to explore are absolutely endless and keep us curious to discover something new every day.
We’re the healthiest we've ever been, despite some seasonal allergies, living a life outdoors has proven it to be the best for our immune systems! Soaking in forest bathing, vitamin D--clouds or sun--, fresh air and even becoming covered in dirt/mud some days has kept us strong allowing us to adventure on!
Now when we moved here, my daughters were just turning 2 & 6. Both have September birthdays, so they just recently turned 4 & 8 years old. Since day one being in WNC we have ventured on trails up to 3 miles one way, climbing over rocks, creeks & trees. They may not ride their bikes as much as we did when there was endless flat terrain in Florida, but the amount of outdoor exposure and challenge for their entire bodies' strength & well-being has been a beautiful thing to witness!
With life always among the trees, mountains and waterfalls, we're grateful to have learning experiences available to us, especially the Family Friendly ones! I hope you find this list of family/kid friendly things to do outdoors around Asheville/Western North Carolina (and a couple indoors for rainy days) including trails, waterfalls, a yoga hike, camping, parks and more!
To start, here are our top-ten favorite kid-friendly hikes & waterfalls (in no particular order, because they're ALL uniquely wonderfu!):
Top 10 North Carolina Family & Kid Friendly Hikes & Waterfalls
1. Pearson's Falls | Saluda, NC
💦 Waterfall Views
🚻 Restrooms
🥾 0.7 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Privately Owned
Open:
March-October: Every day 10 AM-6 PM (Gate closes at 5 PM).
November, December & February: Every day 10 AM-5 PM (Gate closes at 4 PM).
Closed the month of January, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
💰 Admission:
Adults: $5 each
Youth 6-12: $1 each
Under 6: free
No pets
It's 38 miles south of downtown Asheville (15 miles south of Hendersonville) just five miles from Exit 59 on I-26. It's only 40 miles from Spartanburg, SC.
Directions: On US Highway 176, 4 miles north of Tryon and 3 miles south of Saluda. Address for GPS: 2748 Pearson Falls Road, Saluda NC 28773.
2. Catawba Falls | Old Fort, North Carolina
💦 Waterfall Views / Swimming Hole
🚻 Restrooms
🥾 2.4 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Pisgah National Forest
💰 Free
Directions: From Asheville, take I-40 east to Exit 73 at Old Fort. Before the exit ramp ends, take the right-hand turn onto Catawba River Rd. If you are coming from east of Old Fort on I-40 west, take Exit 73, turn left and take the first right before McDonald's (on ramp to get back onto I-40). Turn left onto Catawba River Rd. Drive three miles to the end of the road to the parking lot.
Visit https://www.namasteinnature.com/all-tours to view Namaste in Nature’s new Family Waterfall Nature Yoga Hiking Tour which incorporates nature play and activities specifically for kids ages 5-12!
3. Tom's Creek Falls | Marion, North Carolina
💦 Waterfall Views
🥾 0.7 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Pisgah National Forest
💰 Free
Directions: You can reach Toms Creek Falls from Marion (via I-40) or from the Little Switzerland/Parkway area. From I-40, take US 221 North (exit 85) about 12 miles to Huskins Branch Road. Turn left and go 1.2 miles to the trailhead (a small parking area before the bridge across the creek). The road is paved except for a small section in the middle.
4. Looking Glass Falls | Brevard, North Carolina
Directions from Downtown Asheville (about 36 miles): Take I-240 West / I-26 East. Continue on I-26 East to Exit 40 for Highway 280 (and the Asheville Airport). Take a right onto Highway 280 West and go 16 miles toward Brevard. As you enter the Brevard area, you will see a big shopping center on the right (with Wal-Mart). Just past the center, turn right onto US Highway 276 North (Forest Heritage Scenic Byway) to enter the Pisgah National Forest. Go 6 miles.
💦 Waterfall Views / Swimming Hole
🥾 0.3 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Pisgah National Forest
💰 Free
5. Moore Cove Falls | Brevard, North Carolina
💦 Waterfall Views
🥾 1.2 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Pisgah National Forest
💰 Free
From the intersection of Hwys 64, 280 and 276 north near Brevard, drive north on Hwy 276 north through the Pisgah Forest entrance. Drive about 6.5 miles (one mile past Looking Glass Falls) and look for a small parking area on the right - just before a stone bridge. If you are coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, get off at the Hwy 276 exit and drive south for 8.2 miles, cross the bridge and pull off on the left. The trail begins on the bridge side of the info board. Cross the wooden foot bridge.
6. Wildcat Rock Trail | Gerton, North Carolina
⛰️ Mountain Views
💦 Waterfall Views
🥾 3.5 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Hickory Nut Gorge
💰 Free
Driving Directions: From Asheville, drive US 74A toward Chimney Rock. The parking area is about 13.5 miles past I-40. The parking area is on the left with a rock wall and chimney. But this hike starts across the road. There's a crosswalk that directs you to the trailhead. The trail is well marked.
7. Waterrock Knob | Plott Balsams / Scott Creek, NC
🧺 Picnic Area
⛰️ Mountain Views
🚻 Restrooms
🥾0.9 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Blue Ridge Parkway
💰 Free
Directions: Located at Milepost 451.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Waterrock Knob is about 56 miles from Asheville’s exit on the Parkway at NC Highway 191. While the drive on the Parkway is one of the most scenic in the country, expect slower traffic and plenty of curves. Allow 2 hours to drive. For a faster trip from Asheville, take I-40 West to Exit 27. Then follow US 74/23 expressway to the Parkway – entering the Parkway at Milepost 443.1. Go south on the Parkway for about 8 miles. This section of the Parkway closes frequently during the winter for snow and ice.
8. Craggy Gardens | Barnardsville, North Carolina
🧺 Picnic Area
⛰️ Mountain Views
🚻 Restrooms
🥾 1.9 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Blue Ridge Parkway
💰 Free
Directions: Drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville, about 18 miles north of the Folk Art Center on the Parkway (near U.S. 70 exit) or take scenic Town Mountain Road from downtown to the Parkway and turn left (about 20 miles total). This section of the Parkway closes frequently during the winter for snow and ice.
9. Craggy Pinnacle | Barnardsville, NC
⛰️ Mountain Views
🚻 Restrooms (at Craggy Gardens Visitors Center nearby)
🥾 1.0 Mile Roundtrip
🌲 Blue Ridge Parkway
💰 Free
Driving Directions: Simply drive north on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 364.4) from Asheville, about 18 miles north of the Folk Art Center on the Parkway (near U.S. 70 exit). This section of the Parkway closes frequently during the winter for snow and ice.
10. Florence Nature Preserve | Gerton, North Carolina
⛰️ Mountain Views
🥾 4.9 Miles Roundtrip (Red to Blue Loop)
🌲 Hickory Nut Gorge
💰 Free
Address: 3836 Gerton Hwy, Gerton, NC 28735
You can access the Florence Nature Preserve trails at the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge trailhead on Gerton Highway (Rt. 74-A), near the village of Gerton. You will see a parking area, next to a kiosk and an old stone chimney. (Note: this also the parking area for the Wildcat Rock Trail, which starts on the other side of the street.)
Family/Kid Friendly Camping, Parks & Fun Places around Asheville, North Carolina
11. Family-Friendly Yoga Hike | Between Brevard & Hendersonville, North Carolina
Namaste in Nature recently added to their awesome yoga hike experiences a shorter 75 minute yoga class & hike tour ---- Family/Beginner/ Warm-Up Yoga Hiking Tour located in the Dupont Forest. This their easiest & shortest yoga hike perfect for beginners and younger children! You'll hike a 10-15 minute trail to a beautiful waterfall, there you'll experience 30 minutes of gentle yoga (on dry land) and then hike back. You can stay and play in the same place OR explore more and hike to an additional one, two or three waterfalls! I really appreciate the affordable price of $29/pp (or a group discount of $25/pp with 6 or more ppl!) As homeschoolers we're always looking for new things to encounter and feed our brains with our fellow community, so this experience truly lights me up! namasteinnature.com/all-tours
💰 Cost: $25 - $29 pp
💦 Waterfall Views / Swimming Hole
🚻 Restrooms
🥾 0.8 Miles Roundtrip
🌲 Dupont State Recreational Forest
12. Moonshine Creek Campground | Sylva, NC
Now what's a nature-loving family without some camping?! There are SO many options available to camp, from off-the-grid primitive to the most loved campgrounds along creeks or lakes. We recently had the opportunity to camp at the Moonshine Creek Campground, https://moonshinecreek.com/, located in Sylva, NC. One of the most beautiful campgrounds and they even had a small playground! With the creek and a sweet pond, our girls were in their element critter-catching for hours!! Our next adventure awaits with a different approach---a mountain-top view from a property in Mars Hill and we have it all to ourselves! The site includes life-sized Jenga, firewood, a pop-up tent for extra shelter, a cooler & all the offerings of the sparkling stars above!!
💰 Cost: $34 & up/night
Address & Directions:
2486 Dark Ridge Rd, Sylva, NC 28779 — GPS may bring you to the wrong spot, check their directions link on website for more info!
There are more family-friendly campgrounds than not & another array of more-secluded options offered from private properties. https://www.hipcamp.com/
Our favorite thing to do, and I mean almost everyday, is have a picnic. We pack an array of delish nourishing foods & a large blanket along with some bubbles, a ball to kick around, hula hoops and any other outdoor activity fathomable, we've probably incorporated it! You can find a great variety of shady serene parks in the Asheville area, a very popular option is Carrier Park. This has two sections to it (literally 3 parking lots!) and plenty of space for everyone to enjoy simultaneously!
More info: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/parks-recreation/parks-and-facilities/
13. Carrier Park | Asheville, NC
💰 Free
Address & Directions:
220 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
There are two entrances to this park, both are accessed off Amboy Rd.
14. Main Street Park | Weaverville, NC
Main Street Nature Park located in downtown Weaverville is our favorite hidden little gem...it's a great spot to spend a shorter afternoon with simple trails, open green grass & a fun little creek to hunt for crawfish! https://weavervillenc.org/visiting/town-parks-recreation/
💰 Free
15. The Biltmore Estate | Asheville, NC
The Biltmore Estate is just endless beauty & a place that forever keep us coming back. This historical destination is not only a perfect day for a picnic, but 8,000 acres of lucious gardens, widespread landscapes, hiking trails and farmlands. We love taking our scooters on the sidewalks and bike paths as there is so much open space to enjoy and each season presents a different perspective of familiar sights, bringing us back for more to love. https://www.biltmore.com/
💰 Cost: Starting @ $84, they do offer an annual pass & have sales on their annual passes each year
16. Cradle of Forestry | Brevard, NC
Last summer we had the greatest experience at the Cradle of Forestry, they were offering a class series of hands-on learning among different age groups. The staff there is really awesome and put together great programs at very reasonable cost. We spent 1.5 hrs learning new things each week and because there's so much to see there we would continue our day on the property and exploring/playing at their indoor museum & exhibits! In our homeschooling life we learn all-year round so I was really into this offering during the summer! https://cradleofforestry.com/
💰 Cost: $6, free for ages 4-12
17. Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS) | Asheville, NC
Speaking of learning, we also had the wonderful opportunity of taking homeschool classes with AMOS (Asheville Museum Of Science) located downtown. They too had really great programs & teachers leading them and we had access to their museum/play area after the classes were done for the day. Both of these are great locations to spend the afternoon on a rainy day! https://ashevillescience.org/
💰 Cost: $8, $7 children, seniors, military & students w/ ID, ages 2 & under free. $25 annual membership
18. The Hands On! Children's Museum | Hendersonville, NC
Not to leave out one of our most-frequently visited places, The Hands On! Children's Museum in Downtown Hendersonville. We prepare to spend the whole day here as there is so much to get into for every child's interest: pet-doctor play, painting, science activities, role-play/dress-up, music room, the list goes on! My girls can't seem to get enough and everytime we return it's a new outcome of exploration depending on what they feel like getting into that day! https://www.handsonwnc.org/
💰 Cost: $8/pp, annual memberships available
19. The North Carolina Arboretum | Asheville, NC
The North Carolina Arboretum was our first beloved memory created before even moving here. This is another wonderful location to spend the entire day at, and although there is mostly outdoor trails and gardens to explore, they do also have an indoor exhibit area. They change-out art displays and fun interactive exhibits frequently keeping our curiosity of what's coming next! Their most recent is their outdoor Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks exhibit displaying 16 larger-than-life-size sculptures throughout the grounds, each one absolutely inspiring! Visiting here during each new season is always fun & beautiful as we can see the change of nature--- new bugs, blooms (that are so extremely well kept) and during the fall foliage,a rainbow-effect can be seen as you drive up to the main entrance! https://www.ncarboretum.org/
💰 Cost: Starting at $16/vehicle, annual memberships available
20. The Botanical Gardens at Asheville | Asheville, North Carolina
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville holds many memories of when we first moved here, as this was one of the first places close to our new home that won our hearts. A vast serene setting of nature in all its beauty…with historical structures, creeks, gardens, trails and the BIRDS! We love going there to bird-watch, it seems to hold a special attraction for a lot of different species in the area of Western North Carolina. Even in the winter when the gardens aren’t flourishing it’s a great place to spend time and have a day among nature!
💰 Free
Western North Carolina and the surrounding Asheville area has stolen our hearts and in my opinion it's one of the best places to raise a family. We have beauty always all around us and a great community that continues to grow.
Ceiara Cartony is a 200hr certified yoga teacher and full-time mama of many trades. Her passion is enjoying as much time as possible outdoors and in nature, bringing the simple things in life to her teachings for her children and her students!
