Enjoy a self-guided float trip in a raft or in one of our inflatable kayaks (duckies). We provide transportation to and from the river, only a few short minutes from our Hot Springs outpost. This trip is a great introduction to river rafting with easy Class I-II rapids. It is on a beautiful and serene section of the French Broad River. This trip is a great choice for those who want to explore the scenic beauty of Western North Carolina and are up for paddling without a guide.
Trip Details
Season
Age
Class Rapids
Duration Info
Required to Wear
Shoes that won’t come off in the water (i.e. sandals with a strap on the back, water shoes, or old tennis shoes).
Intensity
weight
Notes
Reservations recommended; walk-ins welcome
We provide
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)
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
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)
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.
Participation Requirements
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.
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.
You'll be given some brief instruction on paddling and navigating the small Class I rapids that you'll encounter on Section 10 of the French Broad River. Then we'll transport you and your equipment to the start of the 4-mile calm water section. A few hours later, transportation will be waiting for your return to our Hot Springs outpost where you started. The self-guided calm water trip allows you to explore beautiful scenery and if you keep your eyes peeled, you might catch sight of a Great Blue Heron, an Osprey, or an Eagle.
Meeting Locations
Please refer to your confirmation email for your scheduled times and locations.
NOTE: Trips only leave from the Hot Springs Outpost between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For all other dates, trips will leave from the Marshall Outpost.
March - Memorial Day: meet at the Marshall Outpost
Memorial Day - Labor Day: meet at the Hot Springs Outpost
Labor Day - November: meet at the Marshall Outpost
Save Money with a Package
View All Packages
Dip & Zip (w/lunch)
Half-Day Rafting w/ Lunch + Ziplining
Whitewater & Waterfalls Plus
Half-Day Rafting (w/ Lunch) + Full-Day Canyoneering
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 TestimonialsBest rafting on the French Broad! Great guides, funny jokes, and a great lunch. Noah is a great guide!
My boyfriend got sick the morning of our zip lining/rafting trip, and the staff let us reschedule for the next day with no charge. Everyone was so friendly and helpful!!! Our guides were wonderful as well. Thomas and D were great guides on our zip lining trip and were so knowledgeable and hilarious. Augustine was an amazing rafting guide as well. He was so personable and clearly has a passion for what he does. Rafting was my favorite part of the day, and the scenery was beautiful. I highly recommend this family-owned company over any other in the area!!!!! This was all around a great experience!!!
Our first white-water rafting experience as a family was fantastic! Jim was an excellent guide who made our journey down the French Broad one we will never forget. From squeezing our raft through the smallest opening to running us up on rocks only to spin away and on down the river. So fun! Our oldest daughter even did a little cliff jump halfway down the route. My husband is a Civil War buff and Jim shared his knowledge of local Civil War stories, and also some history of the river and surrounding area. Highly recommend this adventure!
Spend the day yesterday with our group zip lining and rafting in the afternoon. Was a highlight of our trip up to Asheville. The guides, Thomas, Lee, and Shawn were fantastic. Definitely recommend and will book again the next time there.
The guides are so knowledgeable, the area is rustic and the river has so much beauty. We were novice rafters and the 2 & 3 rapids were just the right level of exciting!! A great value for the length of the trip downriver too.
We did the 9 mile rafting trip and it was awesome!! Our guide Cory is a pro! We loved all the rapids along the route! We enjoyed the stories and wildlife we saw (bald eagles and nest). It was our first whitewater trip and we were comfortable because the guides have fun with safety in mind. We will be back!! Thank you, Cory!
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