Best Outdoor Activities for Kids in Asheville
29 outdoor adventures for families in Asheville. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and fresh-air fun for every age group.
Highest rated: Tempie Avery Montford Center Playground, Pisgah National Forest - Black Balsam Knob, Outdoor Adventure Center. 20 are free. Every listing includes age ratings, stroller access, and parent tips.
Top Picks
Tempie Avery Montford Center Playground
4.9 starsThe Montford Center playground is a community hub for this historic neighborhood, with solid equipment and the bonus of being in one of Asheville's mo
Pisgah National Forest - Black Balsam Knob
4.9 starsBlack Balsam Knob sits above the treeline at 6,214 feet and is one of the most dramatic alpine landscapes in the eastern US. The 1.7-mile roundtrip tr
Outdoor Adventure Center
4.9 starsThe Outdoor Adventure Center offers guided outdoor activities — horseback riding, ziplines, fishing, hiking, and biking — in the mountains around Ashe
Blue Ridge Parkway - Craggy Gardens
4.8 starsCraggy Gardens sits above 5,500 feet on the Blue Ridge Parkway and offers one of the most dramatic above-the-treeline landscapes in the eastern US. Th
The Adventure Center of Asheville
4.8 starsThe Adventure Center packs multiple outdoor adventure experiences — zip lines, mountain biking, and more — into one location in the mountains outside
FreeTempie Avery Montford Center Playground
Ages: 2–10
FreePisgah National Forest - Black Balsam Knob
Ages: Best for ages 8 and up
Outdoor Adventure Center
Ages: Best for ages 6-17
FreeBlue Ridge Parkway - Craggy Gardens
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
The Adventure Center of Asheville
Ages: 6–17
FreeLooking Glass Falls
Ages: All ages
$Asheville Tourists Baseball
Ages: All ages
Asheville Treetops Adventure Park
Ages: 7–17
$$Chimney Rock State Park
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
FreeLake Louise Park
Ages: All ages
FreeAsheville Urban Trail
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
FreeHike Inn to Catawba Falls
Ages: Best for ages 5 and up
FreeBearwallow Mountain Trail
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
FreeFrench Broad River Park
Ages: All ages
FreeVance Monument & Downtown Asheville History
Ages: Best for ages 8 and up
$$Asheville Gem Mining
Ages: Best for ages 4-12
FreeBent Creek Community Park
Ages: 2–12
Sliding Rock Recreation Area
Ages: Best for ages 6 and up
FreeCarrier Park
Ages: All ages
FreeJake Rusher Park
Ages: 2–12
FreeBuncombe County Sports Park
Ages: 5–17 for organized sports; playground for younger
$French Broad River Tubing
Ages: Best for ages 7 and up
FreeAsheville Recreation Park
Ages: All ages
FreeAsheville Botanical Garden
Ages: All ages
FreePack Square Park
Ages: Best for ages 1-9
FreeWeaver Park Playground
Ages: 2–10
FreeJones Park Playground
Ages: 2–10
$$Hot Springs Campground & Swimming
Ages: Best for ages 3 and up
FreePisgah Playground
Ages: 2–10
Common Questions
- What are the best outdoor activities for kids in Asheville?
- 29 outdoor family activities in Asheville. Highest rated: Tempie Avery Montford Center Playground, Pisgah National Forest - Black Balsam Knob, Outdoor Adventure Center, Blue Ridge Parkway - Craggy Gardens, The Adventure Center of Asheville. Parks, trails, playgrounds, and more.
- Are there free outdoor things to do with kids in Asheville?
- 20 outdoor activities in Asheville are free, including Tempie Avery Montford Center Playground, Pisgah National Forest - Black Balsam Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway - Craggy Gardens.
- How many outdoor activities in Asheville are stroller-friendly?
- 16 of the 29 outdoor activities in Asheville are fully stroller-friendly.
More Ways to Browse
Free Asheville Weekend Activity Planner
Get a printable planner with Asheville activity ideas by age, a packing checklist, and weekly picks in your inbox.
Join 1,000+ parents. No spam, ever.