What to do and see in North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina Mountains: The Best Kayaking & Canoeing

Edge of the World in North Carolina is the family-friendly white water rafting, whitewater kayaking, and climbing leader. Rafting day trips include guides, equipment, free rapids reruns, and a home cooked lunch. The Barrow Family has been delighting guests for 30+ years. Located in North Carolina Mountains convenient to Ashville NC, Boone NC, and Charlotte. Climbing and Rappelling includes a lesson from an experienced pro.

Nantahala Outdoor Center is one of the nation’s largest outdoor recreation companies. Over a million guests visit NOC annually to embark on a diverse collection of more than 120 different whitewater rafting and land-based itineraries. Learn to kayak at NOC’s world-renowned Paddling School, soar through the trees on NOC's multiple zip lines, travel to foreign countries with NOC’s Adventure Travel program, test the latest outdoor gear and shop at our three LEED-certified flagship retail stores or enjoy NOC’s resort amenities such as our three restaurants and multi-tiered lodging. Why do more people choose NOC than any other whitewater outfitter in the world? It's because of our experience, unparalleled in the industry. 22 Olympians, including two Gold Medalists, have called NOC home. NOC has been recognized by The New York Times as the “Nation's Premiere Paddling School,” “The Best Place to Learn” by Outside, and as “One of the Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic ADVENTURE. Trust NOC to provide you with the outdoor experience of your lifetime.

Western North Carolina is a dream vacation destination and we take advantage of everything WNC has to offer: whitewater rafting on three great rivers, white water kayak instruction, fly fishing, scenic lake tours and a store overlooking the Nantahala River. And when winter arrives, we take our expertise to Costa Rica and Ecuador for more great outdoor adventures.

Specializing with guided whitewater trips from class 1 to class 4 whitewater, waterfall rappelling, stand up paddleboarding, and whitewater kayak instruction. Green River Adventures has trips for all ages, skill, and thrill levels.

The Asheville Outdoor Center has been offering family-friendly calm-water river paddling since 1992. Enjoy a leisurely 7-mile canoe, kayak, SUP, or raft paddle down the French Broad River through the Biltmore Estate property. Please check out our website for more information and call us to make a reservation. Normal business hours Thursday-Sunday 9AM-5PM. We will also be open on Memorial Day and Labor Day. We are closed for the season from November thru March. We are the "Pioneers of the French Broad." Come visit us!

The canoeing and kayaking river trips can last from 3 hours and up to a two day canoe camping trip. You may also choose to cool off with a lazy float down the French Broad on our tubing river trip. All of our trips including the canoeing and kayaking river trips are self-guided with the exception of our seasonal special events. Our fly fishing program offers guided fly fishing trips in Western North Carolina! Our fly shop has everything you need to have a successful day on the water. Our licensed NC fly fishing guides can teach you to cast. They can lead you on a guided fly fishing trip for trout or smallmouth, or help you choose flies that will increase your success on our local mountain streams. Our fly-fishing school is fun for the whole family! Headwaters Outfitters also carries a great selection of canoes and kayaks for sale in our RIVER SHOP. Test paddle canoes by Old Town, Mad River & We-no-nah. We have kayaks by Jackson Kayak, Wilderness Systems and Perception. At our River Shop, the north and west forks meet forming the French Broad River. This makes it an excellent location to test paddle canoes or kayaks. Headwaters Outfitters is conveniently located just outside of Brevard NC, between Asheville and Highlands, NC. It is an easy one day trip from Charlotte, Greenville, or Raleigh, and a great weekend getaway from Atlanta. Regardless of where you are coming from, Transylvania County has lots to offer those looking for a mountain river adventure. When planning your next vacation to the mountains of North Carolina, join us for an exciting canoeing and kayaking river trips adventure. For a quick weekend getaway, or just something fun to do outdoors, pack a picnic lunch, bring your fishing rod and gather your friends and family.

Located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina just minutes from Dillsboro and Cherokee. Smoky Mountain River Adventures provides white water rafting for the whole family, including children as small as 401bs. We rent inflatable kayaks for one or two people, as well as rafts. You may choose to have a river guide to help tame the rapids or have your own adventure!

Lazy Otter Outfitters provides shuttle service and kayak, tube, canoe, and stand-up paddle board rentals along the calm, beautiful section of the French Broad River in Henderson County.

Beginner to advanced instruction, private and group instruction in multiple disciplines of paddle sports. In addition, H2o Dreams offers professional level certifications for river and water sports professionals Dedicated to the craft of teaching, our small, focused paddling school achieves results.

We offer Kayaking and Gem Mining on the Little Tennessee River in the Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina. Come and see nature at her best as the river takes you through the mountains and pasture lands. Our beautiful scenic trips are self-guided. The trip takes approx. 2 1/2-3 hours. Discover your treasure from the choice of different Gem or Fossil Treasure Buckets and pan at our Covered Outdoor Flume overlooking the beautiful Little Tennessee River. We are a hidden treasure in the mountains. Family fun for all ages. Your treasure and adventure await you!