French Broad River
Asheville Outdoor Center
521 Amboy Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 232-1970
The French Broad River is a 213 mile waterway that starts near the village of Rosman, North Carolina and flows to the Tennessee state line where it joins with the Holston River in Knoxville and becomes the Tennessee River.
This is a kayaking trip along a fifteen mile section of the French Broad River that starts about 50 miles north of the headwaters near the Asheville airport at the Westfeldt River Park and flows northeast to the Asheville Outdoor Center. There are multiple put-in/take-out options in this section, but these were the sites that we used for our trip.
The first 7-8 miles of the river are near and under the busy Interstate 26 with occasional views of metropolitan Asheville. Tubers frequent this section on weekends, so it is a social and active river during these times. Yet once you pass Firefighter’s Island, the river is much more rustic as it travels through the scenic Biltmore Estate with views of both the mansion and hotel to the east from the river.
- click to see video from this kayaking trip down the French Broad River from Westfeldt River Park: June 21, 2014 – This is How We Roll, Ken Not The Only One With A “Cold One”, Evening Calm From Pratty Shoal, Cocktail Hour At Firefighter’s Island, Two Bus Loads Of Tubers, Mumbly Peg, The Game Finally Ends, A Little Dirt In The Teeth
- click to see trail photos from this kayaking trip that starts at Westfeldt River Park: June 21, 2014
- click to view a trip report for this overnight paddling trip to the Asheville Outdoor Center: June 21, 2014 (password required)
- click to view a river map of this section of the French Broad River near Asheville, North Carolina: Overview Map, Mile 45 to 64, Mile 64 to 81 (password required)
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook North Carolina Hiking Trails which has details on this destination
- click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
