Experience the exhilarating adventure of whitewater rafting or a peaceful float, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest. Our team of professional, experienced, and entertaining whitewater rafting guides will ensure you have an unforgettable day on the French Broad River.


Half-Day Whitewater Rafting


Half-Day Whitewater Rafting + Lunch


Full-Day Whitewater Rafting


Guided Calm Water


Self-Guided Calm Water


Half-Day Rafting + Ziplining
Zip & Dip


Half-Day Rafting w/ Lunch + Ziplining
Zip & Dip (w/lunch)


Full-Day Rafting + Ziplining
Ridges & Rapids


Half-Day Rafting + Canyoneering
Whitewater & Waterfalls


Half-Day Rafting (w/ Lunch) + Canyoneering
Whitewater & Waterfalls Plus


Full-Day Rafting (w/ Lunch) + Canyoneering
Whitewater & Waterfalls Expedition


Half-Day Rafting + E-Mountain Biking
Pedal & Paddle


Calm Water Rafting + Ziplining
Chill & Thrill


Calm Water Rafting + Canyoneering
Chill & Skill


Ziplining + Self-Guided Calm Water Rafting
Fly and Float
Asheville’s Closest Whitewater Experience is an Unforgettable French Broad Adventure
Our whitewater rafting trips offer an exhilarating yet manageable adventure, perfect for beginners while still providing enough excitement for experienced paddlers. Starting and ending just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, these tours take you through the heart of the scenic French Broad River valley. Choose from half-day or full-day trips featuring Class II to Class IV rapids for an unforgettable experience.
Learn more about whitewater classifications.
Relax and Unwind On Calm Water Trips
French Broad Adventures provides both guided and self-guided rafting excursions on tranquil waters, showcasing gentle class I-II rapids. These serene float trips navigate leisurely through the picturesque, pastoral stretch of the French Broad River. Perfect for families with young children or anyone seeking a peaceful aquatic experience amidst stunning scenery.
FAQs
Food Options
We do not offer full food options at our Outposts.
We only offer Lunch Options for on-the-river activities; Half-Day Whitewater + Lunch, and Full Day Whitewater adventures.
We highly encourage you to bring lunch and snacks in your vehicle to have before or in between adventures.
We do offer a small variety of drinks, chips, candy and Ice Cream, for purchase, at our Rafting Building and Zipline Tower.
For Bike Tours, please bring snacks and a water bottle.
What Are The Age Requirements?
Our minimum age limit for whitewater rafting is 8 years old.
How Many People Per Boat?
Our rafts allow for 6 guests plus 1 guide.
Will I Fall Out Of The Raft?
Possibly! There is a chance that you may fall out of the raft. But relax and enjoy the float. Your guide will get you back in the raft as quickly as possible. BUT, before you even begin your trip and touch the water, your Trip Leader will go through a safety talk on how to brace into the raft, and what to do if you should fall in the water.
What Should I Wear When Rafting?
REQUIRED: shoes that won’t come off in the water (i.e. sandals with a strap on the back, water shoes, or old tennis shoes - no crocs or flip flops).
Spring and Fall – Layers, Layers, Layers!!! Complimentary wet suits (please wear swimsuits underneath) and splash gear (rain jackets and/or pants) are available for all guests as needed at no extra charge. We recommend that you wear wool or synthetic material (i.e. polyester, nylon, or dry-fit). We DO NOT RECOMMEND that you wear cotton (i.e. sweatshirts and sweatpants) or denim for your rafting trip. You may also want to wear wool or synthetic socks (i.e. SmartWool) with shoes during this time. Summer – Swimsuit with shorts and a t-shirt or tank top.
What Is A Duckie?
A duckie is an inflatable kayak made for one person. Prior experience is not required. If you would like to paddle a duckie, please request one when you make your reservation.
Is Whitewater Rafting Safe?
Like all adventure activities, whitewater rafting has inherent risk. Please keep in mind that French Broad Adventures has very experienced and professional staff. We will educate you on rafting procedures prior to your trip, and our guides will always have your safety in mind. However, French Broad Adventures does not assume liability for personal injuries. You will be asked to read and sign a waiver agreement prior to your trip. For everyone’s safety, we do not allow anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol to go on any of our trips. No refunds will be made.
Do Water Levels Impact Trip Distances?
The French Broad River is a free-flowing river and water levels fluctuate depending on rainfall. This is beyond our control. If the river is much lower or higher than normal this can potentially affect the quality and safety of your trip, so we will modify the trip distance or location as necessary. Check current water levels.
Do I Need To Know How To Swim?
No. We have taken many children and adults down the French Broad River who do not know how to swim. Not only does French Broad Adventures provide top-notch safety equipment (life jacket and helmet), but our guides are all certified in CPR and first aid, and our Trip Leaders have advanced medical certifications as well as swift water rescue experience.
What They Say
View More TestimonialsMy 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!!!
The Best in NC! Knowledgeable of the river (more so than other rafting companies on the French Broad) safe, fun, and most of the guides have been there 5 yrs plus. They only hire 1-3 new guides a season. Other neighboring companies hire 30-40 untrained, college kids a season. I love TJ and Richard! However, there are other wonderful guides that I haven’t had the opportunity to raft with but was able to meet and talk with them. Real salt of the earth people!
Best rafting on the French Broad! Great guides, funny jokes, and a great lunch. Noah is a great guide!
Everyone who knows me would’ve never believed how much of an adventurer I became with French broad adventures! The team is knowledgeable and because they’re calm and fun they bring that side of you out! I would’ve never thought about water rafting and jumping into the river but I did, and I would’ve not traded it for the world! It is an experience that I will forever cherish and given me confidence that I am thankful for! THANK YOUUUUUU!! More than five stars if I could! Thank you Robert (water rafting) and Sam and Thomas (zip lining) an experience of a lifetime!
My family of 4 had an absolutely amazing time both rafting and ziplining for 2 days! Calvin was our river guide - full of knowledge and fun. Next time we are ready for the 9 mi. rafting trip! We had never ziplined before, Cara and Becca were awesome guides - a lot of fun and laughs - we were in great hands. Will be back, and will recommend French Broad Adventures to everyone!! Wish we could give more than 5 stars!
