Explore Western North Carolina’s great outdoors with Nantahala Outdoor Center. The nation’s largest outdoor recreation company, NOC has led outdoor adventures since 1972 and earned recognition as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure. Over a million guests visit NOC annually to embark on a diverse collection of more than 120 different river and land-based itineraries! Learn to kayak at NOC’s world-renowned Paddling School, or test the latest outdoor gear and shop at retail stores in Asheville, Gatlinburg, and Nantahala. Book a trip on one of seven rivers in the Southeast, or fly through the skies on the Nantahala Mountaintop Zip Line Adventure!
Asheville Outdoor Center has been providing quality, affordable, relaxing and fun-filled trips since 1992. Our staff provides excellent customer service because we genuinely care about our customers and it is what they deserve. We believe that an amazing experience on the French Broad river helps raise awareness for protecting our wildlife and keeping our waterways clean. We at the AOC are eager to share our knowledge about our river and the surrounding areas to help make the best of your stay in Asheville.
Come down and enjoy all of the great festivities the AOC has to offer. Bring the kids and discover new treasures at our gem mine. Enjoy a delicious local brew from the tap room by the river. We offer outdoor games such as corn hole, ping pong, and beach volleyball. We also offer our grounds for a variety of outdoor events.
EDUCATIONAL, IMMERSIVE, HANDS-ON GUIDED FLY FISHING TRIPS:
Booking a trip through us ensures that you will get the necessary tools and tricks for success when fishing your local or dream waters. Our trips provide all the gear you may need, as well as a handful of custom flies free of charge!
Discover Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina
Our trips help our customers discover the gorgeous waters of western North Carolina. With trips focused heavily on education and sustainability, customers will be guided on a wide variety of public waters in which they can expect to catch wild or stocked trout. Whether just getting into this historic art, or trying to crack the frustrating challenges of fly fishing, we will give you all you need to become a more confident fly fisherman!
The rate for trips is 35$ per hour – The length of the trip all depends on how long you want to be on the water!
Cataloochee Ski Area, located high in the mountains of Western North Carolina is the home of “Great Skiing in the Great Smokies!” One of the first areas in the region to open each season, Cataloochee is committed to making your skiing and snowboarding experience the best it can be by utilizing one the most advanced snowmaking systems in the Southeast. With 100% snowmaking on 18 slopes and trails including the Cat Cage Terrain Park, 3 aerial lifts and 2 moving carpet lifts, and over 4,000 sets of snowsports equipment, the Cataloochee experience offers something everyone.
We feature a PSIA and AASI member Ski and Snowboard School with instruction for all ages and abilities, and offer our HEAD Kids Adventure Center with ski and snowboard programs for kids ages 4-12 and a variety of terrain for beginners to experts alike. With our new Terrain-Based Learning programs, you will learn quicker and easier than ever before. Group and corporate meeting space is available. In the lodge, a fireplace and cozy atmosphere await you along with our on-mountain restaurant offering three ala carte meals daily and a lounge with full ABC permits. Round out your day on the mountain with a visit to The Shop at Cataloochee, featuring signature gifts and apparel. Down the hill in Maggie Valley, we offer Tube World, a snowtubing hill with up to 12 lanes of tubing fun!
Cataloochee Ski and Sports, our rental and clothing shop in Maggie Valley allows you to rent your ski or snowboard equipment at a discounted rate, purchase your lift ticket and get everything you need for a day on the slopes. Bib, jacket and helmet rentals are also available at the shop as well. Best of all, you can pick up everything you need the night before and be ready to go straight to the snow on the day you plan to ski or snowboard with no waiting! The sports shop sells goggles, gloves, hats, sunglasses and other accessories to complete your visit. Cataloochee is located only 35 miles west of Asheville with easy four lane access.
Explore the amazing work of nature on the “inside” of a mountain. North Carolina’s only show caverns features stalactite and stalagmite formations, an underground stream with native trout, hibernating bats, amazing mineral colors, the Bottomless Pool, and total darkness. The guided tour educates you on caverns ecosystems, geological history, and local history of the area. Gift shop located on premises.
The wild trout waters in the Pisgah National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains and the premier waters of the Davidson River, Cherokee Trophy water and the South Holston River are all fishing great. The catch and release waters of North Carolina’s Delayed Harvest Program have been stocked with great numbers of highly cooperative, hungry trout as well. Late winter hatches of Little Black Winter Stone Flies, Gray Winter Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Blue Quills and Quill Gordons are all still in play and the additional hatches of the Hendrickson, March Brown, Tan Caddis and Little Yellow Sally Stoneflies are providing quite a buffet for the Brook, Brown and Rainbow trout.
Whether this is your first time off-road or you have advanced experience, experiences expose you to elements and terrain to increase your off-road knowledge and ability. Experiences cover the basics of expedition-style driving and are customized to fit your skill and comfort level. Off-road obstacles such as steep ascents, descents, side tilts, log crossings, and rock crawls offer an exciting and memorable off-road adventure. Up to three participants may ride in each vehicle.
HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE (COVID-19)
Land Rover Experience Centers will resume operations and safely offer a range of physically distanced drive experiences from August 1, 2020.
We want to assure you that every precaution is being taken to protect the health and safety of our guests and local staff. In prioritizing health, safety, while still creating a day to remember, Land Rover Experience has implemented the following actions:
- All guests will be required to undergo a temperature check and wear a face mask upon arrival and when outside their vehicle. Additional PPE equipment (gloves and hand sanitizer) will be provided complementary – or feel free to bring your own.
- All vehicles will be sanitized before every experience.
- Guests and staff will be physically distanced in separate vehicles. Instructors will coach guests and marshal the course via two way radios.
- Food and beverages will be boxed or pre-packaged and served in an open area while respecting social distancing.
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!
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.
Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced horseman, enjoy an unforgettable guided expedition through beautiful woodlands on a horse chosen to match your skill level. Call for details and reservations. Enjoy a western-style guided ride on a horse chosen to match your skill level. Travel with fellow guests along beautiful trails through the woodlands and meadows of the estate.
If you’re wondering what to do around Asheville, NC, look no further than Asheville Adventure Company to get the insider “local” experience. We are long time Asheville residents and we are passionate about showing people what we love about Asheville and the surrounding area.
For too long the guiding industry has been ruled by a collective of companies that build their business by charging crazy money to take customers to the most popular spots around. We want to change the game. We strive to offer the same level of service (or better!) as our most prolific competitors but opt instead to build meticulously planned trips that are as unique as the many visitors that flock to this area. We hope that every trip leaves customers with a sense of awe and wonder for this incredible area. We want to push our customers outside of the tech and stimulus heavy world that we live in to a place where they can explore and push their own boundaries as far as they feel comfortable. We hire only the best guides, and we refuse to offer a trip unless we think it’s awesome (as a group of adventure nuts we have a pretty high standards).
We currently offer a selection of day hiking trips, e bike trips, overnight backpacking trips, and paddling trips. We are also always open to crafting private trips. If you have a trip that you have been dreaming up but need some help getting it across the finish line then contact us and we will help you plan something amazing!
Offering visitors easy access to its towering peaks, Grandfather Mountain is one of the most biologically diverse mountains and in the world designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve. Feel the rush when you cross the Swinging Bridge; marvel at 360-degree views from one-mile above sea level; photograph bears, otters, cougars, eagles and deer in natural habitats; hike rugged back-country trails or stroll gentle nature paths; eat in our restaurant or take your order out to one of many scenic picnic areas; chat with our entertaining, knowledgeable staff and let us help you find your own perfect mountain adventure.
A carefully tended wilderness preserve, Grandfather Mountain is home to many rare North American wildflowers and to displays of such naturalized plants as native azaleas, rhododendrons, mosses and lichens, heathers, and other beautiful species. Parts of the mountain are steep and rocky, but much is accessible to anyone: an excellent nature center, dramatic mountain vistas, and wildlife habitat areas.
The North Carolina Arboretum’s 434-acre campus is nestled off the Blue Ridge Parkway minutes from downtown Asheville and offers beautiful gardens and natural areas, including the Bonsai Exhibition Garden, 10 miles of forested hiking and biking trails, garden tours, nature activities for families, changing science, art and cultural history exhibits, an on-site bistro and gift shop.
Daytime admission into the Arboretum is free; however, a $16 parking fee applies for personal vehicles. To view full listing of parking fees and hours, click here.