What to do and see in North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina Mountains: The Best Nature & Wildlife Tours

I will get you to beautiful private or remote public waterfalls away from the crowded tourist areas. No long or hard hikes on my normal tour but harder hikes are available. Ideal for seniors and families with children. Great for photography. I know the lighting at each waterfall. I've been to over 170 waterfalls in this area. Located 30 minutes from Asheville, NC and 5 minutes from Brevard, NC. I will meet you at a convenient location based on where you are staying or driving from.

Cataloochee Valley Tours...The Best Kept Secret in the Smokies!Let our naturalist take you on a guided eco-tour to one of the best kept secrets in the Great Smoky Mountains-Cataloochee Valley. Cataloochee Valley is one of those special places that is not easy to get to, but hard to forget. If you want to venture there, Cataloochee Valley Tours will take you there in comfort. Note: Reservations are required, as we do not have a store front.

Enjoy a nice relaxing ride in the beautiful mountains of Lake Lure NC. Lengths of 1 , 1 1/2 or two hours. In business since 1993, weather permitting we are open 361 days a year only closing Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving day and Christmas Day.

Blue Ridge Waterfall Tour: This waterfall excursion begins with pick up at your accommodation. A spectacular drive to our first waterfall on a scenic portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we will visit 3 impressive waterfalls, 2 state parks and a seasoned local guide will tell stories of interest as we see some remarkable flora and fauna. Drinks & snack are included. A great half day adventure!

Ventures Birding Tours offers birdwatching and nature tours throughout the Carolinas, within North America and worldwide.

Wander through field and forest with expert guides, foraging mushrooms, wild fruits and more. Enjoy a cooking demo, tasting, and, after the tour, a free appetizer featuring your finds at one of Asheville’s top restaurants. We're the #1 foraging activity on TripAdvisor in the country and operate year-round. Small groups suitable for all ages and abilities. COVID-safe; private tours also available.

Blue Ridge Hiking Company is Western North Carolina's Premier Guiding Service for Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips. Founded in 2008, we are locally owned, female operated, and the 2019 guiding team has over 60,000 miles of hiking experience. Blue Ridge Hiking Company is permitted for a wide range of hiking trails that include the most scenic and "must-see" destinations in Western North Carolina. We welcome hikers of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels. The Downtown Asheville Retail Shop Features a Selection of Handpicked Lightweight Hiking and Backpacking Essentials from the Best Independent and Cottage Gear Builders. Blue Ridge Hiking Company also Operates "The Trail-er," an Appalachian Trail Bunkhouse that offers Lodging, Gear Rentals and Shuttles in Hot Springs, NC. The owner, Jennifer Pharr Davis, is a Western North Carolina Native, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, and Mother to two Young Hikers. Let us share our favorite trails and local knowledge with you!

The Pisgah Field School will introduce you to the unique recreational, natural and cultural wonders of Pisgah National Forest and the surrounding landscapes of the Southern Appalachians. Let us guide you around the original backyard and classroom of the Vanderbilt family through hikes, tours, and science-based workshops, while discovering the local businesses and charm of beautiful downtown Brevard, NC.

Oxbow River Snorkeling is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Oxbow River Snorkeling provides the most unique and rich outdoor experiences in western North Carolina with trained freshwater and terrestrial biologists and naturalists, along with outdoor adventure specialists! While in the beautiful rivers of western North Carolina, our freshwater biologists will reveal a world of curious animal behaviors and the beautiful natural wonders from an incredible and rarely seen perspective. While rock-hopping upstream and drifting downstream in a wetsuit, our guides will point out freshwater animals and talk about the significance of the river in the surrounding watershed. If you are a land lover, our terrestrial biologists will guide you along trails to waterfalls and ridgetops, all the while hearing the natural history of the flora and fauna of this highly functioning ecosystem. Birds, mushrooms, mammals, wildflowers, trees, and reptiles are just a few of the possibilities found along the trails in this tremendous rich environment. Our adventure specialists will guide you along backcountry trails, across mountain lakes, while instructing you in areas of orienteering, Leave No Trace, best camping and backpacking practices, and much more. You may learn the history of some of our regions early settlers, and stories passed on through generations, all while experiencing panoramic views, unique ecosystems such as mountain bogs, or majestic waterfalls from a canoe or on foot.

Make the most of your time in Asheville, North Carolina! Wildland Trekking offers a variety of hiking experiences in the world-class mountains that surround Asheville. Part of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, these mountains offer rain forests, stunning views, geologic phenomena, lakes, rivers, and a staggering amount of biodiversity. Join us and maximize your time in the Asheville Area!