Whitewater rafting and canyoneering just 30 minutes from Downtown Asheville. Experience two days of adventure with our full-day whitewater rafting trip and a canyoneering adventure that takes you off the beaten path to places few can find.
Trip Details
Season
Age
Minimum age for canyoneering is 12. Under 18 must be actively accompanied by parent or guardian.
Class Rapids
Duration Info
Required to Wear
Rafting: shoes that won’t come off in the water (i.e. sandals with a strap on the back, water shoes, or old tennis shoes).
Canyoneering: Closed-toe shoes with a secure backing (so they won’t fall off your feet).
Intensity
weight
Notes
We provide
Canyoneering
- Water Shoes - We supply Astral water shoes for maximum performance. On check out, note your shoe size (whole size, not half).
- Rappelling Gloves - On check out, note: S, M, L, XL
- Small bottle of water
- Small backpack
- All safety equipment
Rafting
For Whitewater Trips:
- Raft gear
- PFD
- Helmet
- Paddle
- Raft
- Guide
- Splash gear (if requested)
- Beverages (water, lemonade)
- Snacks (nutrition bars, crackers)
For Calm Water Trips:
- Raft (minimum 4 people required)
- Single Duckie
- Splash gear (if needed)
Please Bring
Canyoneering
- Any medication that you may need immediate access to while on the trip (e.g., asthma inhaler, epipen or diabetic glucose).
- Change of clothes and a towel to leave in the van.
- For taking photos, a small waterproof/shockproof camera or disposable camera is best.
- A “brown-bag” style lunch (i.e. a sandwich or wrap) and/or your favorite energy bar (i.e. Clif, Lara, or Rx bar) or trail mix.
- Extra water. If you feel the need for more than 8fl oz of water, please bring your own water bottle.
Rafting
If you forget these items we have many of them for sale in our store.
- Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Strap for glasses
- Towel
- Change of dry clothing (for after the trip)
Do Not Bring
- Animals to the outpost, no exceptions.
- Valuables or anything else that you would mind having lost, wet, or broken.
- Canyoneering: Your cell phone is unlikely to work. We recommend not bringing it on the actual trip.
- Hiking poles
Participation Requirements
Canyoneering
Weight
There is no weight min or max. Participants must fit a climbing harness with a waist measurement between 18-45″ and a leg measurement between 10-28″.
Age
Minimum age of 12. Any participant under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Physical Fitness
You are fit enough if you can comfortably walk 3 miles unassisted on a trail carrying a light pack, comfortably hike on uphill and downhill slopes, climb or descend 5 flights of stairs, and climb a ladder with ease. You must also be comfortable with heights.
Health and Medical Conditions
- You cannot participate if you have an existing medical condition that could require urgent care (such as major heart problems or seizure disorders) or if you have a condition that could jeopardize your or another participant’s safety.
- We also do not recommend that you participate if you are pregnant or have significant musculoskeletal problems – please seek the advice of your physician before booking your trip.
- You cannot participate if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that could impair you in any way.
If you may require any fast-acting medications such as an EpiPen, diabetic glucose, or an asthma inhaler please bring them on your trip and inform your Guides.
Waiver
All guests are required to sign a waiver. You participate at your own risk.
Rafting
Physical Fitness
Participants should feel comfortable sitting for an extended time in the boat and be able to paddle and assist in their own rescue if possible.
Health and Medical Conditions
- You cannot participate if you have an existing medical condition that could require urgent care (such as major heart problems or seizure disorders) or if you have a condition that could jeopardize your or another participant’s safety.
- We also do not recommend that you participate in whitewater rafting if you are pregnant or have significant musculoskeletal problems – please seek the advice of your physician before booking your trip.
- Calm water rafting trips are suitable for pregnant persons.
- You cannot participate if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any medication that could impair you in any way.
If you may require any fast-acting medications such as an EpiPen, diabetic glucose, or an asthma inhaler please bring them on your trip and inform your Guides.
Waiver
- You participate at your own risk.
- All guests are required to sign a waiver.
Our full-day whitewater rafting trip lasts 5-6 hours depending on the river level and includes a stop for lunch by the river about half way through the trip. After a short 10-minute bus ride, we'll arrive at the put-in for the trip in Barnard, NC. Along the way, our expert guides will navigate you as you paddle through a series of Class II, III, and IV rapids in between calmer sections where you can relax and admire the scenery and wildlife of the Pisgah National Forest. At the end of the trip, after covering 9 miles of the river, we'll arrive at the Hot Springs takeout, where we will complete the trip and return to the outpost.
Our canyoneering adventure departs from our downtown Asheville location and will take you to places most tourists never find as we do a short hike in and set up rappelling gear to descend a stunning waterfall. On the way out, you'll have an opportunity to hop in the streams for a dip. Depending on water levels, our secret locations may include laid back waterslides and/or a more adrenaline-pumping plunge!
Meeting Locations
Please refer to your confirmation email for your scheduled times and locations.
Save Money with a Package
View All Packages
We Offer Group Reservations
Bringing a group to Asheville? French Broad Adventures caters to groups of all sizes.
Group Reservations
Photos
What They Say
View More TestimonialsThere are five of us and the kids are tough critics. We had a great time throughout. The views were amazing and it was just the right mix of stimulation and peace.
Awesome experience! I've been rafting before and it was terrible in comparison to this. Super knowledgable guides that knew exactly what they were doing. I felt safe the entire time even going through some rough class 3 rapids. Beautiful views and facility the whole way including the lunch area! Even the bus rides were entertaining with the guide telling jokes the whole time. I've got nothing bad to say!! An amazing and fun experience even for kids!!
This was our families second adventure with French Broad. 2 years ago we did the 5 mile white water rafting, and last month we did the 9 mile. (they wanted more adventure!) I cannot say enough about how friendly, knowledgeable and professional the staff/guides are. The lunch they prepare for you on the 9 mile ride is fantastic! Of course nature takes care of the majestic views. Love that they allow you to get out and swim and even jump off cliffs! For the second time in 2 years everything went as planned. Not one hiccup!! AAAA++++
Amazing trip & Great Guides! The best group of people we could have had to share with us the fun & pleasure that this trip offers. Beautiful views, a group of well-informed guides who know & love the river & the beautiful surrounding community...and funny, friendly personalities too! If you are in the area and you want to ride the French Broad, these are the guys to do it with!
We had an awesome experience rafting and ziplining with FBA. The guides were patient and safety conscious without sacrificing any fun!
We enjoyed our trip down the French Broad River and the guides were great! We took our 9 and 11 year old boys and they had a blast. They can't wait to go again. Thank you for a great experience.
Explore More Trips
Dip & Zip (w/lunch)
Half-Day Rafting w/ Lunch + Ziplining
Whitewater & Waterfalls Plus
Half-Day Rafting (w/ Lunch) + Full-Day Canyoneering
Ridges & Rapids
Ziplining + Full-Day Rafting
