Outdoor Recreation in Asheville, North Carolina is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With its stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and mild climate, the city offers a plethora of outdoor recreational activities. Whether you’re seeking thrilling adventures, peaceful hikes, or water-based fun, Asheville has something for everyone. Get ready to embrace nature’s playground and explore the outdoor recreation opportunities that await you in Asheville.
Asheville’s unparalleled natural beauty and diverse landscapes make it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re seeking thrilling adventures, peaceful hikes, or water-based fun, the city offers a wealth of outdoor recreational activities. From hiking the scenic trails to cycling the winding roads, from whitewater rafting to rock climbing, Asheville has something for everyone. So, pack your gear, lace up your boots, and get ready to embrace nature’s playground in Asheville.
I am a lifelong cyclist, enjoying the aspects of both road and mountain bike culture. My entire adult life has been in bicycle retail. Beginning my career in 1974, I began as a bicycle mechanic, moved on to manage a high end shop, then opened and operated my own pro shop for over 25 years. Throughout this period I never lost interest in the mechanical development of cycling: I very much enjoy building wheels, complete frame builds, and restoring both mountain and road bikes.
BikeWorks in Sylvania, Ohio was my life for the past 28 years. The shop expanded and changed with the times from a small retail space to a larger location that made space for custom bike and fit studio, establishing BikeWorks as northwest Ohio’s premier bike shop.
Through the decades, I was witness to the monumental advancements in cycling technology that have revolutionized bikes and the way people ride them: new frame materials, electronic shifters, disc brakes, and carbon fiber advancements to name a few.
Through these same decades, I was at the forefront of fit training and technology: FitKit, Pro Bike Fit, Trek School of Fitting, Paul Swift and since 2009, 3D Motion Capture by Retul. It is with the advancement of fit technology that my career has taken shape from a retail store owner to a custom bike and fit expert.
Having the knowledge, expertise and tools to connect a customer to a one of a kind custom bike has been the most satisfying aspect of my years in the bicycle world.
My collection of personal bikes ranges from restored vintage race bikes to cutting edge road and mountain bikes, custom road, mountain and randonneur bikes and tandems. My enthusiasm as a cyclist, collector and purveyor of fine cycling products has only grown over the years and continues to fuel my passion as a business owner. It is with great excitement that I bring my experience to Asheville, North Carolina as Tangent Cycles.
The Bike Farm is here to provide you with the best mountain biking experience western North Carolina has to offer. We provide half, full, and multi day guided rides custom tailored to an individual or groups abilities, desires, time, and budget. All trips are private, so you will never be put with another group. We are permitted in Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Recreation Forest.
We cater to all ability levels, from beginner to Pro riders. Our staff includes female and male guides, all of which are Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified. When riding in a new area, the only way to ride like a local is to ride with a local!
As the light paints the dramatic peaks and verdant valleys of the Carolina mountains, the seasons gracefully blending into one another, in these purest of moments, it occurs to you — there is something special here. Far beyond the pristine landscape, and the charming towns, and even transcending the engaging lifestyle, you come to appreciate being more alive, more connected to yourself and the world around you. This is life at The Cliffs, a state of being that surrounds and permeates all inside and outside our seven Carolina mountain communities. It is boundless nature, thrilling experiences and the pure joy of calling this place home.
Guided float fishing on the French Broad River North Carolina’s premier smallmouth bass fishery.
Up-Close Outfitters, LLC specializes in 1/2 and full-day guided fishing trips to some of the top bass and trout waters in the North Carolina and South Carolina area. Our fishing guide service has chosen the foremost lakes in the region, such as lake Hartwell fishing for huge striped bass, lake Jocassee fishing for record-breaking trout and lake Fontana fishing for some of the best walleye and smallmouth bass action the Southeast has to offer. Our team of professional full time fishing guides specializes in finding those giant brown trout and largemouth bass we have all been fishing for over the years. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Asheville NC, we are centralized to travel to South Carolina and western North Carolina. Up-Close Outfitters also takes pride in the art of fly fishing in the Blue Ridge , Appalachian , & Great Smoky mountains of North Carolina for wild brook trout and stubborn rainbows.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing family float trip or an extreme adventure weekend, you’ll find it at USA Raft. Offering guided trips convenient to Asheville on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers. Wild caving available in Worley’s Cave. Full Day trips with lunch and morning and afternoon half day trips offered daily in season. Let us plan a fantastic day trip for your family or a weekend full of adventure. We also offer guided fishing, SUP instruction and riverside lodging.
Wai Mauna Asheville SUP Tours offers guided paddleboard tours and self-guided rentals on Asheville’s French Broad River. Enjoy a four mile paddle through Asheville’s River Arts District, a seven mile paddle through the Biltmore Estate, or join in a morning SUP yoga session for an invigorating start to the day. All of the boards are wide and stable and custom tailored for beginners, and you’ll not only learn how to paddleboard from professionally-trained instructors, but you’ll also learn about Asheville’s history as seen from the French Broad River. Portions of proceeds are donated to RiverLink—a local non-profit that’s working to restore the historic French Broad watershed. Guided tours runs four times per day, and for an early-morning Asheville adventure unlike any other in town, enjoy a sunrise “dawn patrol” paddle, beginning at 5:30am.
Join us on our unique day hikes in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. We offer mindfulness and meditation day hikes where you can disconnect from screens, slow down, and enjoy the gorgeous mountains outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Our guides are highly experienced in both wilderness guiding and meditative practices. We lead group Mindfulness Hikes every Tuesday-Friday from 9a-1p.
Not into meditation? No problem. We also offer private day hikes that suit what you’d like to see and do on your trip. For our group hikes, once you book with us you’ll receive detailed directions of where to meet us at the trail head. Before our hike we’ll spend 10-20 minutes giving you an overview of mindfulness practices and then hit the trail! We’ll take you to local spots leaving the crowds behind, making sure to point out local flora and fauna along the way. You’ll be shocked how much you notice once you slow down and become more attuned to your senses.
Around noon we’ll find a beautiful spot to break for lunch and enjoy a healthy lunch from a local Asheville eatery. After lunch we’ll spend time swimming, taking in a beautiful view, or admiring a waterfall, all while engaging our 5 senses. Give yourself the opportunity and time to go inward and be fully present on this unique trip.
We have five full zipline canopy tours that include multiple ziplines, sky bridges, rappelling and more! All our tours offer a soaring and gliding experience naturally fueled by changes in elevation. Canopy tours typically have 9-13 zips, with small groups of up to 10 Guests plus 2 Rangers, who take you through a guided trip in the tree canopy. Ziplines run from tree to tree with bridges, poles, man made towers and other elements so you have the most fun possible. All tours start with training, orientation, and practice zips. Canopy Tours are about the challenge, learning, and thrill of doing something new in a beautiful location. Zipline Canopy Tour prices start at $39.00.
Wildwater Adventure Centers wants to share their 42 years of rafting and outdoor leadership experience with your family, group, high adventure trip or team building retreat on four Southern rivers: the Chatooga, Nantahala, Ocoee & Pigeon. Wildwater offers the best in outdoor adventure in the Asheville area with attention to detail both on and off the water. Wildwater also offers their exclusive Quality Service Guarantee! In addition to great whitewater adventures, join Wildwater for scenic Jeep and train excursions combined with your rafting trip. Elevate your vacation and take flight on one of their 5 zipline canopy tour adventures including the newest right in the heart of Asheville. Only Wildwater can provide unique Raft & Rail, Rails & Trails, or Float & Fly packages. Wildwater is a family owned and operated business focused on providing a unique Western NC outdoor adventure vacation experience. They create memories and family traditions that will last a lifetime. Please join them!
Your closest resort to Asheville for winter time fun for all ages! The Wolf peaks at an elevation of 4700 feet and sits in the shadow of Big Bald Mountain. We offer 54 acres of skiable terrain, 100% snowmaking capability, 15 lighted runs with 1 double lift, 1 quad lift, and 2 surface lifts. Learn to ski or snowboard with our skilled and personable Snow Sports School instructors. Once you get your balance enjoy 4 easy trails to practice on and explore. Looking for a little more adventure? The Wolf has some of the most challenging terrain in the Southeast! Test yourself on one of our 2 black diamond runs. After a day of skiing or boarding relax in a rocking chair by a roaring fire with a cup of hot cocoa. Even better, stay with us in one of our townhomes on the mountain. Enjoy the best on-mountain rates while soaking in the scenery. Take some time out to play in the snow at our lift-assisted snowtubing location. Please visit our website for information on group specials and incentives such as complimentary lessons!
Whether you’re riding for the first time in years, or are a seasoned racer, our goal is to help you! Our enthusiasm is contagious. We focus on high quality service in a timely manner and freely share our experience and knowledge. Our shop sells a broad selection of bikes and a wide variety of bicycle accessories to accommodate your needs.
The owner, Youngblood Haske, comes from a road racing background and has decades of experience as a professional bicycle mechanic. Our service manager, Chris Randall, and lead mechanic, Eric Ernst, are dedicated professionals who live cycling. They have years of maintenance experience and have both completed extensive training from Cannondale, Shimano, SRAM, Fox and Bosch e-bike systems as well as other brand partners.
Youngblood Bicycles is located in the heart of the cycling paradise, Asheville, North Carolina. Ask us about local routes on the road or trail. Trail maps are available for purchase. Ride recommendations are free!
