French Broad

Location: Western North Carolina (about 20 miles northwest of Asheville).

Length of trips: Five miles in three hours; nine miles in six hours.

Season: March through October. The water flow usually peaks in spring. When the water level drops in late summer, commercial outfitters run inflatable kayaks (duckies).

Weather: While early spring and late fall are often cool and wet, late spring and summer bring heat and humidity to the southern Appalachians. Daytime temperatures average 58°F in March, 69° in April, 77° in May, 81° in June, 84° in July and August, 78° in September, and 69° in October.

Lodging: Wide range of accommodations in Asheville, including campgrounds, B&Bs, and resort hotels.

Boats: Kayaks, paddle rafts.

Rapids: Class II and III on five-mile trip; Class II, III, and IV on nine-mile trip. The water is usually warm and clear, but it turns muddy after heavy rain.

Special features:

  • Broad river gorge surrounded by rugged mountains.
  • White-tailed deer, beavers, foxes, great blue herons, egrets.
  • Good fishing for catfish.
  • Scenic hiking trails.
  • Wildflowers and flowering shrubs in spring.
  • Swimming in summer.
  • Spectacular autumn foliage.
  • Wilderness solitude.
  • Ideal for rafters of all levels, seniors in good physical condition, and families.

Nearby excursions:

  • Asheville—historic Grove Park Inn, North Carolina Arboretum, Thomas Wolfe’s boyhood home, and 255-room Biltmore, the former Vanderbilt mansion that’s the largest home in America.
  • Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • Chimney Rock Park, where The Last of the Mohicans was filmed.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
  • Appalachian Trail.

For a list of outfitters and more information:

  • Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1010, Asheville, North Carolina 28802; +1 704 258 6101 or 800 257 1300.

For more information:

  • North Carolina Travel and Tourism Division, 430 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603; 800 847 4862, fax +1 919 733 8582.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park story in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER, January/February 1991. To order a copy, please click here.

 
 
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