Recovery Can Be an Adventure Too: River Tubing on the French Broad
When most people think about outdoor adventure in our area, they immediately picture waterfalls, hiking trails, mountain biking, and long days exploring Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest. And for good reason.
Our mountains offer some incredible adventures. But after a full day on the trails, your legs might be tired, your energy running low, and the summer sun feeling intense.
Last summer, Todd and I found ourselves needing a little recharge after a busy stretch of tackling projects around the park combined with daily hikes. The summer heat, long days, and constant movement had us craving a “rest” day.
But anyone who knows us knows that a rest day doesn’t involve sitting on the couch binge-watching Netflix.
Instead, we discovered something far more relaxing, refreshing, and surprisingly restorative: river tubing on the French Broad River.
A few hours spent floating gently downstream in cool mountain water turned out to be exactly what we needed. It was peaceful, refreshing, and the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors…and getting our “miles in” without hiking shoes or a bike.
A Different Kind of Adventure
Unlike hiking or biking, tubing requires almost no effort at all. Simply hop in your tube, settle back, and let the French Broad River do the work.
The cool water provides a refreshing escape from the summer heat, and a natural form of therapy for your tired body, while the gentle current creates a peaceful way to relax, recover, and enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina from a completely different perspective.
Many guests are surprised to learn that the French Broad River is often considered one of the oldest rivers in the world, estimated to be more than 250 million years old. It stretches approximately 219 miles and begins just a few miles from Pisgah Forest RV Park near Rosman. More than 4,000 miles of streams and tributaries feed into the French Broad watershed, creating one of the region’s most important natural resources.
Even more unique, the French Broad is one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north.
Option 1: Show Up and Relax
If your idea of the perfect day is simply showing up and letting someone else handle the details, Brevard Tubing offers a simple and stress-free way to enjoy the French Broad River.
They provide tubes, life jackets, shuttle transportation, and all the logistics needed for a relaxing day on the water. Their family-friendly floats make it easy to simply arrive, settle into your tube, and enjoy the scenery.
You can learn more about their trips at:
https://www.brevardtubing.com/
Option 2: The DIY Float
For those looking for a slightly longer adventure, a DIY float may be more your speed.
Pick up an affordable river tube (from retailers such as Amazon or Walmart), pack a small cooler with some snacks and drinks, apply plenty of sunscreen, and head to the Pisgah Forest River Access located at:
3520 Wilson Road
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
This public boat launch sits at approximately Mile 26.5 of the French Broad River, and is only 4.5 miles from our park.
From there, launch into the river and enjoy a scenic 5.5-mile float downstream before taking out at:
Penrose Boating Access Area
500 Crab Creek Road
Penrose, NC 28766
Located at approximately Mile 32 of the French Broad River, this take-out point is conveniently located directly across the road from Pisgah Forest RV Park.
The float typically takes around three hours, depending on water levels and how often you stop to swim, cool off, or simply drift with the current.
During typical summer conditions, much of this stretch is relatively shallow, often ranging from calf- to waist-deep, though water levels can vary significantly depending on recent rainfall.
The current moves at a gentle pace, with only a few shallow riffles along the route that add a little excitement without being intimidating. It is one of the most relaxing ways we’ve found to spend a warm summer afternoon.
Tubing Essentials
Before heading out, we recommend bringing:
- Sunscreen (and reapplying during your float) and maybe even a hat
- Plenty of drinking water
- Water shoes or secure sandals
- A waterproof phone pouch
- Snacks and beverages
- A dry bag for valuables
- Sunglasses with a retainer strap
- A small cooler if you’d like to bring refreshments along the way
- An extra tube for your cooler
- Rope so you can connect your tubes together and float as a mass, unless you like to drift solo
- Atleast one basic paddle for steering the float mass/train once you reach your exit destination
Safety First
North Carolina law requires children under 13 years of age to wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while on a recreational vessel that is underway.
Even for adults, we strongly encourage wearing a properly fitted life jacket whenever tubing, paddling, or recreating on the river. Water conditions can change, and safety should always come first.
As with any outdoor activity, be sure to check river conditions following periods of heavy rain and avoid entering the water during flood conditions or severe weather.
Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride
We love hiking, mountain biking, and chasing waterfalls as much as anyone.
But sometimes adventures that require you to slow down are equally enjoyable and rewarding.
Whether you’re looking to cool off after a day on the trails, recover from an epic ride in Pisgah, or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon surrounded by nature, river tubing offers a refreshing way to experience the beauty of the French Broad River.
Adventure doesn’t always mean climbing higher, riding farther, or hiking longer.
Sometimes the perfect mountain adventure is simply floating with the current and letting the French Broad River remind you why you came to the mountains in the first place.
After all, recovery can be an adventure too.
Sources & Additional Information
- French Broad River watershed information, river length, and historical information: RiverLink (https://riverlink.org/french-broad-river/ )
- North Carolina life jacket requirements and boating safety information: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.gov/boating/laws-safety/children-must-wear-pfds )
- Guided tubing trips and shuttle service information: Brevard Tubing (https://www.brevardtubing.com)
- French Broad River access points, river mile markers, and paddling information: French Broad Paddle Trail (https://frenchbroadpaddle.com/en/access-points)
