Whitewater rafting and canyoneering adventure. Experience two days of adventure with our half-day whitewater rafting trip (w/ lunch) 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
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 half-day whitewater rafting trip lasts 3-4 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 and III 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 5 miles of the river, we'll arrive at the Stackhouse 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.
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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 TestimonialsAhhhmazing!! Everyone was so courteous and skilled. Sean was a hilarious guide to and from the rafting area. Divans was our river guide and not only did he show us a fantastic time but he was funny and a great showman. No one in our raft had ever been before and we all had a blast. Can’t wait to return on our next time in the area to do the 9 mile trip.
If your group loves adventure you seriously need to go to French Broad Adventures! We did Ziplining in the morning (ask for Ariel and Becca), and then we went white water rafting (ask for Allie)! The guides were amazing and fun! Seriously super nice people! I can’t wait to visit again!
What a great time.. the guides are hilarious and made me (a first timer) feel safe in their capable hands.. going back and bringing the kids.
This was our third trip with French Broad Adventures. They are very organized and safety conscious. We had a wonderful time and are already planning on next year.
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!
This was my 5th time rafting in North Carolina (first time with this specific rafting service, though), and I can say that our guide, Jim, was the best one I've had so far. Jim displayed an amazing level of skill and knowledge of white water. He was also very personable, and shared his knowledge of the region's history and biology. Jim was super positive and encouraging to everyone in the boat. I suspect the other guides are very professional as well. Seems to be a great rafting company overall.
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