Area Activities

  • CANOEING FRENCH BROAD RIVER

 

You’ll find lots of recreational activities and attractions around the
Blue Ridge Mountains in Hot Springs North Carolina including:
hiking, rafting, fishing, sightseeing, and festivals.

French Broad RiverFrench Broad River

The Hot Springs area is popular for many outdoor activities:

Hiking- Appalachian Trail passes through town, and is also accessible at Max Patch Bald.  All Trails is a great website and app that can provide you with detailed trail descriptions of public hiking trails.  All Trails Link.

Rafting-  several rafting companies host rafting trips on the French Broad River

Fishing-  many streams are stocked with trout including Spring Creek which is a mile from Wilderness Lodge.
Other fishing options are the French Broad River, and Laurel River near Hot Springs. 

Sightseeing-  the mountains are scenic, and rich with history.
Just driving and stopping at various scenic spots can be an enjoyable day.
You might even see a bear like the one shown below that was across from my home!

 

Bear in Spring Creek
Bear in Spring Creek

 

Other attractions and activities that you may want to consider while staying at
Wilderness Lodge include:

 

Biltmore Estate/Asheville

Largest privately owned home in the U.S.

www.biltmore.com

 

Cherokee Reservation & Harrah’s Casino/Cherokee

Native American reservation with shops, and activities; casino

www.visitcherokeenc.com

 

Horseback riding in Madison County

Sandy Bottom Trail Rides

www.sandybottomtrailrides.net

 

Visit the Elk of Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The best times to view elk are usually early morning and late evening. Elk may also be active on cloudy summer days and before or after storms.  From Wilderness Lodge, it takes about 1 hour, 15 minutes to drive to the area of the park were the elk are most active.

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/elk.htm

 

Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Day trips through the scenic mountains

www.gsmr.com

 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Drive and enjoy the scenery or stop and hike.  End the day with dinner at the Pisgah Inn

www.blueridgeparkway.org

 

Hot Springs Spas

Maybe after a day of hiking a soak in a hot tub
of n
aturally heated spring water would be soothing, or maybe a massage!

~ Reservations on weekends, holidays, spring & summer should be booked 2 weeks in advance ~

www.nchotsprings.com

 

River Rafting

Whitewater Rafting and River Tubing guided or unguided tours of French Broad River.  Located in Downtown Hot Springs.

https://hotspringsraftingco.com/

 

Fowler Farms Sporting Clays

Clay shooting in Spring Creek. Fun for the experienced or novice shooter.

www.fowlerfarmssportingclays.com

 

Split Mountain Quail & Preserve

Quail hunting in Spring Creek; seasonal

www.splitmtnquailandpreserve.com

 

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in Mars Hill, just north of Asheville.

https://skiwolfridgenc.com/

Cataloochee Ski Area

Skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing in Maggie Valley, near Waynesville.

https://cataloochee.com/

~ Brochures for activities, attractions, restaurants are available at Wilderness Lodge ~