French Broad Float (8+yrs)
29 N Market St
Asheville, NC 28801
USA
July 31st-Aug 2nd
Experience one of the most remote and scenic stretches the French Broad has to offer over this three day/two night trip from Hot Springs, NC to Bridgeport, TN.
River stretch: Section 10, Hot Springs, NC to Bridgeport, TN
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Day 1:This trip starts in the quaint town on Hot Springs, where natural hot springs offer an option for a refreshing soak before hitting the river. The river is a great mix of lazy floating and fun class II rapids. Day 1 will take paddlers by Paint Rock where we will climb to get an amazing view of the river below, as well as witness some ancient petroglyphs. After the short Paint Rock hike, we continue paddling to our campsite at Weaver’s Bend – a National Forest campground. Oskar Blues Beer will be available around the fire, but participants are welcome to bring any other special drink they enjoy.
Day 2: The next day starts by rounding the rest of Weaver’s Bend and heading through some fun, small rapids before paddling under the scenic Hwy 25/70 bridge. There will be a few rocky sections to navigate, but this stretch of river also opens up to some longer-range views as we make our way to our riverside campsite. All our gear will be transported to the campsite each night, and meals will be prepared by some local, accomplished caterers and our staff.
Day 3: We have an exciting start to the day as we approach the biggest rapid of the trip, the Falls. There are easy options to walk around this class III rapid, paddle the easy side on the right, or take your chances in the big water down the middle of the falls. After the Falls, we’ll continue to enjoy some fun, smaller rapids, but also some slower-moving water for relaxing. Our ride back to the real world will be waiting for us as we approach the river access at Hwy 25/70.
Price Includes: shuttle, camping, all meals, beer, knowledgeable guides, gear transport, and plenty of good yard games. Bring your own whitewater gear, or inflatable ducky rentals are an additional $25 a day.
Optional Pre-Trip Rafting: July 30
River section: Section 9, class II-IV, 8 miles
Jump in a raft with us to experience the best of French Broad whitewater. Flowing through the heart of Pisgah National Forest, the trip starts in Barnard, NC with a few warm-up class II rapids. The rest of the section highlights the beauty of the river and the Blue Ridge Mountains while bounding down numerous class II and class III rapids. We’ll end with an exciting class IV rapid, called Frank Bells. The rapid was named for a legendary camp director that led a crew of young boys in canoes down the French Broad all the way to the Mississippi River. Arriving in Hot Springs, NC, you can grab a beer, hike, or enjoy a soak in natural hot springs before we launch for the main trip the following day.
Duration: 5-8 Hours (Depends on Water Level)
Age: 8+ Years