Asheville is one of our favorite places to visit! During our recent trip to Asheville we got to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a while! We went floating down the French Broad River! It was super relaxing and a fun to get to hang out with family while floating and seeing some of our favorite spots from a different perspective!
How do I float down the French Broad River in Asheville, NC?
There are numerous tour companies that you can use to travel the French Broad River! Wheather you want to try your hand at Stand Up Paddle Boarding, want to canoe with a guide to local breweries, or just want the convience of renting tubes and being dropped off! If you’re not super familiar with the area, or want the ease of having things done for you I highly recommend booking with one of them.
But, if you’re feeling adventurous enough to plan your own adventure you can make your own French Broad River Float! That is exactly what we decided to do on our most recent trip! Here’s a quick explanation of what we did and what we took with us if you’re considering doing it yourself!
Getting In
The biggest hurdle you’ll in floating down the French Broad River without going with a tour company is access to two cars! (Unless you’re willing to take an Uber from the exit point back to the drop-off which could be very wet). There are three great locations that the public can use to access the river and begin the float.
Hominy Park is the longest float (approximately 3-4 hours depending on how fast the river is flowing). We decided to do the “medium” length float and parked at Carrier Park which took us about 2 hours. The shortest float is about 45 minutes and begins at Jenn Webb River Park. All three locations have concrete steps down to them, as well as many wooded access points, so it’s just a matter of how long you want to float the French Broad River. I found a tutorial here on the best places to put in and take out of the river that I found helpful.
Asheville has really done a great job of making the French Broad “float friendly” so there are many ways to get to the river points up and down the French Broad River!
Where to Stop
There are many great places to start along the river! 12 Bones BBQ is a great spot to grab a bite to eat! They’re only open on weekdays, but have some of the best BBQ in town! Wedge Brewing is one of our favorite breweries in Asheville and located right in the River Arts District! They have a great outdoor area, often have food trucks and are located a very short walk to the river!
Find the best local float tours with this search engine (and the best deals)!
Take Out Spots
The best takeout locations for some food or beer after your float are Salvage Station or White Duck Taco (pictured above). We parked our second car at White Duck Taco which made for a delicious lunch after our float! Their Jerk Chicken Taco is one of my favorites and their margarita’s are delicious!
What should I bring to float the French Broad River?
Tubes
When you’re planning your Float of the French Broad River the number one thing you’ll need is a tube, unless of course you’re on a tour where one is provided! Our tubes were perfect because they came with connector’s to help connect them together!
If you’re planning to bring beverages with you (which I highly recommend) then a drink cooler is the perfect companion! We all connected ourselves to the drink cooler which worked out perfectly and gave us a place to store additional items.
Other Items
Our waterproof speaker was th perfect floating acessory! We clipped it to the outside of our cooler which worked wonderfully. I also got a drybag for my phone so that I could tie it to my float, take pictures, and play DJ.
We threw a drybag into our cooler so that we could carry wallets, car keys, dry clothes, and sunscreen. I also added a long rope and duct tape for the “just in case”. Another just in case item you may want is a small oar so that you can easily divert yourself around rocks and other obstacles.
What to Wear
Most people on the river just wear their swimsuit (remember to wear plenty of sunscreen). I also recommend shoes that can be worn in the water during your float. They’ll make it easier to get in and out of the water and you won’t have to worry about where to put them while you float.
Floating with Pups
We decided to not bring our dog’s on our first trip so we could test out the river without them, but plan to bring them on our next trip! They’ve floated on the sound with us at home and we love the floats we’ve gotten them!
The first float I ordered is great because the dog’s can sit in the water to keep them cool. We have two of these and our dogs LOVE them on hot summer days! I also ordered a Big Joe float that is essentially a floating bean bag for our dog that is happier to be out of the water. It’s a float designed for people that I use ALL the time at home on the coast of North Carolina. It’s probably one of my favorite things for the dogs!
Remember, anytime you’re on moving water with pups where you may not be able to get to them easily. Make sure they’re wearing life preservers, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Even dogs with the best recall ability can get frustrated in new situations.
I’d love to hear about your French Broad River floating adventure! Be sure to let me know in the comments!
And, while you’re traveling in the area, be sure to checkout my post on the Perfect 48 hours in Asheville, for some of my other favorite Asheville things!
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