Outdoor Events

Hendersonville’s outdoor wonders lend themselves to breathtaking adventures.

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Saturday, May 18, 2024
BRING ON SPRING w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
May 18 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

 
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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Sports
Grant Center Swimming Pool
May 18 all-day
Grant Center Pool

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

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Categories: Community Family Fun Outdoors
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Adventures
May 18 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center
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Categories: Family Fun Holiday Outdoors
Mile High Swinging Bridge
May 18 all-day
Grandfather Mountain

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952, visitors have “oohed” and “aahed” at the bridge’s 360-degree panoramic views. America’s highest suspension footbridge gives easy access to the spectacular views atop Grandfather Mountain’s Linville Peak, elevation 5,305 feet.

The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm at more than one mile in elevation (hence the name!). To reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge, drive the two-mile, winding scenic road up the mountain to the summit parking area by the Top Shop. Climb 50 stairs adjacent to the parking area or inside the Top Shop to reach the short pathway to the bridge. Also, an elevator in the Top Shop takes you to the third floor for a level walk to the bridge.

Top Shop

Located adjacent to the Bridge, the Top Shop features a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, elevator and second-floor exhibition area. Also get the latest park information and trail maps. Read more.

Accessibility

Inside the Top Shop, an elevator makes the Mile High Swinging Bridge accessible to people with mobility challenges, including those in wheelchairs. From the Top Shop, there is a paved 50-yard path to the bridge. Read more about our accessibility.

Tickets & Hours

Walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge is included in your Grandfather Mountain admission ticket that includes many other things to do in our nature park. Buy tickets online and book a reservation time to enter the park. You do not need a separate reservation for the bridge. It’s open, weather permitting, every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. See hours.

More to Explore

Before or after visiting the Mile High Swinging Bridge, allow time to enjoy other parts of the mountain: wildlife habitats, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, restaurant, hiking trails, roadside overlooks, picnic areas and more. See more Things to Do.

Nearby Hiking Trails

Trailheads to many of the Grandfather Mountain hiking trails are located near the Swinging Bridge. In fact, the 0.4 mile Bridge Trail takes you beneath the bridge, starting from the Black Rock parking area just below the summit. For details on our nearby trails, go to our Hiking Guide.

Bridge Tips & Tidbits

  • Does it really swing? Very little — unlike the original one. Today’s bridge is made of steel and reinforced with cables and springs. It has railings on the sides to ensure safety.
  • We suggest you wear rubber-soled shoes and walk with care when crossing the rocks on the far side of the bridge.
  • If heights give you pause, you can still enjoy Blue Ridge Mountain views from the ground before you reach the bridge and even from the parking area.
  • Due to periodic extreme weather conditions at the bridge, it closes when there is area lightning, high wind or icy conditions.
  • The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station atop the Mile High Swinging Bridge has provided daily weather observations since 1955. The temperature is usually 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the flatlands you see below. It’s also one of the windiest locations in North Carolina, with a 124-mph record set in winter 2019. Learn more about our weather.
  • Pets are allowed on the bridge if well behaved and on a leash.
  • Photographs and videos to remember your visit are encouraged. Be mindful of sharp drop-offs along the Linville Peak ridge. Drones are not allowed. See our photography policies.
  • The Singing Bridge? When the wind blows, the Mile High Swinging Bridge “sings” in the same way as a harmonica.
  • In April through October, join Grandfather’s expert naturalists by the Bridge for Interpretive Talks about the our unique weather, climate, flora and fauna. Read more.
  • Need driving directions? The address for Grandfather Mountain’s entrance gate is 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). There are no shuttles, so you must have your own vehicle to explore our nature park. No RVs longer than 28 feet in length or hinged vehicles are allowed through the Entrance Gate. See detailed directions.
  • To see much more info, see our Plan Your Visit section.

Mile High Swinging Bridge History

Former North Carolina Tourism Director Charles J. Parker coined the name “Mile High Swinging Bridge” at the Bridge’s dedication in 1952. The term “mile high” refers to the structure’s elevation above sea level (5,280 feet). The term “swinging” refers to the fact that suspension bridges are free to sway.

The original 1952 bridge was designed by Charles Hartmann Jr. of Greensboro, N.C. It was fabricated in Greensboro and then reassembled on top of the Mountain. Erecting the bridge took three weeks, a process slowed by inclement weather created by a hurricane off the North Carolina coast. Cost was $15,000. It was dedicated on Sept. 2, 1952 by North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1999 using the original towers. The cables, floor boards and side rails were all replaced using galvanized steel. One of the main advantages of the modern building materials is that they do not have to be painted. Now, Grandfather Mountain employees will not have to hang out over the gorge to paint the span. It was redesigned by Sutton, Kennerly & Associates Engineering of Asheville, N.C., and rebuilt by Taylor & Murphy Construction Company of Asheville. The cost of rebuilding was $300,000.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Park Pavilion Reservations Open
May 18 all-day
online

New Park Pavilion Reservation Software

We have launched a new park pavilion reservation software system where park users can seamlessly book park shelters and fields from the comfort of their home. In order to book a park pavilion or field, go to www.buncombecounty.org/parks and click the “Reserve & Register” button. Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGOrpvY75Xk
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Categories: Parks & Recreation
Raft + Rail A Fully Guided Experience
May 18 all-day
The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The original Raft & Rail© since 1988: enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day, great for families. Southern Living Magazine calls this “an ideal adventure for families, first-timers, young or old.” This full-day guided adventure starts with a Wildwater staff member greeting you at the train depot, followed by a scenic train trip, deli lunch with all the fixings, and a Nantahala River whitewater trip with a guide in every boat. Hot showers and a photo show follow immediately after your 8-mile Nantahala River trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City Train Depot. Available April–October with the morning departure of the Nantahala Gorge Excursion departing Bryson City, NC. Train seating in Open Air Gondola. 2024 bookings starting soon!

Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee and 7% North Carolina sales tax. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $7.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure, except The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Recreation Park Swimming Pool
May 18 all-day
Recreation Park

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.

  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

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Categories: Community Family Fun Outdoors Parks & Recreation Sports
Ritual Herbalism: Wildcrafting + Medicine Making Weekend Immersion
May 18 – May 19 all-day
Soulflower Botanical Sanctuary

Join us for this mid Spring weekend of wild abundance as we dive deeply into the Art, Science & Spirit of Herbalism. We will spend this incredible weekend deeply immersed in the abundance of wild plants as well as cultivated herbs that can easily be found (and grown) throughout the Appalachian mountains.

We will focus on improving proper plant identification skills, ethical wildcrafting & foraging techniques and learn the craft of magical medicine making together. We will gather herbs from the landscape and create a plethora of herbal medicines. Folks will receive both new skills and plenty of recipes and remedies to take home.

Throughout this weekend immersion will honor the craft of intuitive & ritual herbalism while learning how to pair these skills to make the most potent forms of herbal infusion and decoctions (medicinal teas) with both fresh and dried plants. We will co-create botanical tonics meant to fortify our systems throughout the seasons. And produce potent medicinally infused herbal oils to be used for the body as well as the Spirit.

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Categories: Outdoors Workshops
Summer Adult Kickball League—–registration open
May 18 all-day
online

Play like a kid again in Buncombe County Parks & Recreation’s first summer adult co-ed kickball league! The league will take place over the span of 4 weeks, culminating in a final game where all teams will have the chance to compete for the title. Games will take place on every Tuesday during the month of June from 6-8 p.m. at Charles D. Owen Park (875 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa). Each game will last 45 minutes, or 7 innings.

This kickball league prioritizes recreational enjoyment over competitiveness, and emphasizes a social environment where participants can make new friends while having fun. Participants of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. “Kickball is a timeless sport that encourages friendly competition, laughter and exercise,” says Program Coordinator, Mac Stanley. “This is a wonderful way to spend time with friends at one of our many beautiful parks.”

Registration for the kickball league opens on May 6, and closes on May 24. There must be 4 teams total, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 players per team. The cost to participate is $150 per team. All team members must be over 18 years old. The opening game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4th at 6:00 p.m. on Field 1 at Charles D. Owen Park. A full game schedule will be provided to team captains prior to the start of the season. Teams can register here. 

Email [email protected] for additional information.
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Categories: Community Outdoors Parks & Recreation Sports
Summer Family Campout —-registration open
May 18 all-day
Lake Julian Park

Our Summer Family Campout is taking place at Lake Julian Park (37 Lake Julian Road in Arden) on Saturday, June 1. The annual event will bring together families and friends to connect with nature for a fun and memorable night sleeping under the stars.

This event features a no-frills camping experience; all guests need to bring is a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. Lake Julian Park, which typically does not allow overnight camping, will open its gates strictly for this event. In addition to an overnight camping experience, there will be educational outdoor skills workshops, fishing, nature walks, s’mores, campfire songs, and more.

Dinner and breakfast are included in the $40 per family registration fee. Up to 30 families can participate in the event. Pre-registration is required. Registration opens on May 6.

*Please note that one (1) ticket covers an entire family. Upon checkout, there will be a section to fill out that asks about family information such as names of all participants, and food allergies or restrictions. Email [email protected] for additional information.
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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Parks & Recreation
Bloom with a View
May 18 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
NC Arboretum

“Bloom with a View,” is an immersive floral installation on the grounds of The North Carolina Arboretum. Throughout the gardens, colorful and festive planters will elevate thousands of blooms to eye-level. Wander, explore and even lose yourself among the flowers!

Special Event Daily Parking Fees apply to all vehicles entering the property May 4-19. Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enjoy Bloom with a View.
Includes all-day access to gardens, trails and indoor exhibits
Members: FREE

Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $30
Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $75
Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $150

Members of The North Carolina Arboretum Society will have free access! Find out how to become a member and support the Arboretum’s mission and programs below

BECOME A MEMBER!

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
New Park Pavilion Reservation Software
May 18 @ 8:00 am
online

Buncombe County Parks & Recreation is announcing the launch of its new online reservation system for park pavilions.

ACTIVENet, the new online reservation system, allows for a hassle-free user experience for Buncombe County park visitors. With just a few clicks, visitors can make and cancel reservations from the comfort of their home, in addition to checking real-time availability of the pavilions. Park pavilions are located at Lake Jullian, Charles D. Owen, and the Buncombe County Sports Park. Field rental is also available through this new portal.

Key takeaways of the new reservation system include: 

Seamless Interface: The user-friendly layout of the reservation system allows for hassle-free bookings and cancelations.

Real-time Park Pavilion Availability: Users are able to check the availability of the park pavilions at their favorite park, and on their preferred date and time.

Secure Payment: ACTIVENet’s secure payment portal ensures data protection and encryption with Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant technology.

Email confirmations: Once a reservation is made or canceled, users will receive a confirmation email with the details of their booking.

Click here to view a tutorial on how to book a park pavilion. 

To access the new park pavilion reservation system, please visit www.buncombecounty.org/parks. There is a “Reserve & Register” button that will take users directly to the reservation portal. Please note that users must create an account prior to booking a park pavilion. For any inquiries or additional information, please contact [email protected] or call (828) 250-4260.

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Categories: Community Parks & Recreation
North Asheville Library Bird Walk
May 18 @ 8:00 am – 9:30 am
North Asheville Library

Join us this April and May as members of the Blue Ridge Audubon Society guide us on a bird-watching excursion around the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary!

Binoculars are available for checkout at the North Asheville Library, but folks are welcome to bring their own! This event will be held rain or shine

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Categories: Outdoors
Swannanoa Community Yard Sale
May 18 @ 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Swannanoa Ingles Parking Lot

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to start cleaning out those garages and closets in preparation for the next Swannanoa Community Yard Sale, taking place on Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Swannanoa Ingles parking lot, 2299 U.S. 70. Whether you’re a buyer or a seller (or maybe both), mark your calendar now, and don’t miss out on this area’s largest yard sale event!

Seller spaces are the size of a standard parking spot and are $15 each if paid in advance ($20 on the day of the sale), with a two space maximum per seller. Please bring your own tables.

Seller registration opens on April 1. For information on registration and payment options, please send an email to [email protected] or call 828-515-1840. The sale will go on rain or shine.

The Swannanoa Community Yard Sale is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS); all proceeds from space rentals help support FANS’ work in our community. FANS would like to thank Ingles for allowing us to hold the yard sale in their parking lot – one of Swannanoa’s highest-visibility locations!

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Categories: Community Outdoors
NC Arboretum Hiking Trails
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Located within the wildly-popular and botanically beautiful Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum offers more than 10 miles of hiking trails that connect to many other area attractions such as Lake Powhatan, the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy their hiking experience at the Arboretum as trail options include easy, moderate, and difficult challenge levels. All trails are dog-friendly and visitors are asked to adhere to the proper waste disposing procedures for pets.

Part of a running group that would like to use the Arboretum as a starting point or parking location? Please review our Running Group Guidance and email [email protected] with any questions.

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Categories: Family Fun Hike Hiking Outdoors
Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

What is Bonsai?

Bonsai is a challenging and rewarding horticultural activity, in which ordinary plants are grown in an extraordinary way. Through rigorously applied cultivation techniques, trees, shrubs, vines and even herbaceous plants are kept in a miniaturized state, developed into artistic shapes and then displayed in special containers.

What makes the Arboretum’s bonsai endeavor unique among all other public collections in the United States? Regional Interpretation. Visitors will find the Arboretum’s bonsai collection of more than 100 specimens carefully cultivated with a Southern Appalachian accent. The collection draws inspiration from the traditional roots of bonsai, but takes the form of a contemporary, Southern Appalachian influenced American garden. Plantings in the landscape include species and cultivars of American, European and Asian origin.

 

The Bonsai Exhibition Garden

Established in October 2005, The North Carolina Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a world renowned garden that displays up to 50 bonsai specimens at a time. Represented are traditional Asian bonsai subjects such as Japanese maple and Chinese elm, tropical plants such as willow-leaf fig and bougainvillea, and American species such as bald cypress and limber pine. Of particular importance are the plants native to the Blue Ridge region, such as American hornbeam and eastern white pine, which enable the Arboretum to bring the thousand-year tradition of bonsai home to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Interpretive signage throughout the garden conveys information about the art and history of bonsai, and the Arboretum’s own creative approach to it.

 

Outdoor Bonsai Exhibition Garden

  • Bonsai on Display Mid May – November; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
  • Garden Open Year Round
  • Parking Fees
    • Personal/Standard Vehicle (up to 20′ long): $20
    • Large vehicles (21′-29′ long): $60
    • Busses and Oversize Vehicles (30′ long+): $125
    • Members: Free

    Apart from the parking fee, there is no other admission charge to enter the Arboretum or our facilities, except in the case of advertised ticketed events.

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Categories: Family Fun Garden Garden Events Outdoors
Summer Splash Water Days
May 18 @ 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
Pack Square Park

Splasheville

Splasheville is located in Pack Square Park on 80 Court Plaza. The free splash pad’s regular daily hours are 9.m-8:30pm, but may close for special events or during inclement weather. Check the calendar for scheduled closures.

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Categories: Community Family Fun Outdoors
Family River Day
May 18 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
NOC Roswell- Azelea Park

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Join Family River Day in Roswell and experience the great outdoors like never before! This event is perfect for people of all backgrounds, especially Black Indigenous, People of Color- families and enthusiasts. Join us for a day of river paddling, safety workshops, live music, food trucks, and more. This fun-filled day will take place in the beautiful setting of Azalea Park.

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Categories: Family Fun Outdoors
Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses Edward III
May 18 @ 7:30 pm
Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre

The Montford Park Players is pleased to announce auditions for its 52nd  Season: 

Muse of Fire: Shakespeare’s Wars of the Roses

Jason Williams, Artistic Director

5/10/2024 5/24/2024   Edward III, directed by Mandy Bean
5/31/2024 6/23/2024   Richard II, directed by Jason Williams
6/28/2024 7/21/2024   Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, directed by Dr. George Brown, Callista Brown and Elizabeth DeVault
7/26/2024 8/25/2024   Henry V, directed by David Doersch
8/30/2024 9/22/2024  Henry VI Parts 1, 2 & 3, directed by Glenna Grant, Ariel Robinson and Adam Kampouris
9/27/2024 10/27/2024 Richard III, directed by Kristi DeVille

Conveniently located in the heart of the Historic Montford District of Asheville, North Carolina, the Outdoor Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre is easy to get to and accessible from I-240 and I-26. And, it’s just a short drive down Montford Avenue from downtown.

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Categories: Art & Craft Community Family Fun Outdoors Theatre
Sunday, May 19, 2024
BRING ON SPRING w/ Nantahala Outdoor Center
May 19 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

 
Read more
Categories: Family Fun Outdoors Sports