Top Asheville Nature and Wildlife Tours

Get out of town for a half-day hike up to scenic waterfalls with this small-group hiking experience for up to four people. Your certified naturalist guide will lead you and your group on a challenging hike up to beautiful waterfalls, teaching you how to identify local plant life along the way.

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

Go hiking in the outskirts of Asheville with a naturalist guide on this small-group tour. You and your small group of fellow hikers will head out into the hills, where you'll learn how to ID local flowers and trees. If you're lucky, you may even spot some wildlife along the way.

Enjoy this experience at the farm. Pet the goats, visit the aviary, explore North Carolina's largest crystal store and much more.

Discover Asheville’s noteworthy landmarks and architectural gems while covering plenty of ground. 3 Hours (Approximately) tour by electric bike lets you safely navigate Asheville’s hilly terrain. Follow your guide through city streets, greenways, and picturesque neighborhoods. At carefully chosen viewpoints, you’ll stop to hear the stories behind historical sites.

Maximize time in Downtown Asheville with a sightseeing tour led by a local guide. Learn about Asheville's history and culture during a city stroll that includes breweries, distilleries, cafes, and historic sites. See popular landmarks like the Basilica of St. Lawrence, Grove Arcade, and the Leaf Global Arts Center. Taste local beer and spirits during brewery and distillery visits. In lieu of a tour ticket, tip your guide whatever amount you find fair.

Take a spooky stroll through the streets of downtown Asheville on this ghost walking tour. Led by an expert local guide, learn about the area’s hair-raising tales and dark history, like the woman who haunts the Omni Grove Park Inn, the body entombed in the wall of the Basilica of St. Lawrence and much more. It's a fascinating, spine-tingling adventure.

Cycle to three of Asheville’s most popular microbreweries, enjoying a drink at the first location. You’ll be riding a state-of-the-art e-bike, so the hills won’t be a problem. In addition to soaking up the local vibe and great scenery, you’ll sample some of the best craft brews in town. If you like beer and bikes, you'll love this tour.

Maximize time in Asheville with a guided walking tour focused on the city’s history, architecture, and culture. Meet your guide for a sightseeing tour including top landmarks like the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Grove Arcade, and the Basilica of Saint Lawrence. Get to know the unique city of Asheville from the perspective of a local.

Horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful way to explore the area’s natural attractions. Trot through fern groves, past rows of wild flame azaleas, and into a white pine forest on well-trained, gentle horses. This tour includes a safety training, too, making it a good choice for beginner horseback riders and children.

Recipe for a perfect day: Floating down an ancient river, cooling your toes in the water, laughing with good friends... all within reach of award-winning breweries serving up fresh craft beverages and tasty treats. We will paddle down one of the oldest rivers in the world and guide you to great breweries that are within 5 minutes of the river. Non-drinkers will have plenty of sight-seeing options nearby as well.

Discover the natural beauty that lies just outside of Asheville by booking a guided hike. This private experience can be tailored to your needs and preferences, whether you want a challenging adventure or an easy-going walk. Depending on where you go, your tour may include waterfalls, mountain views, or biodiverse forests.

Discover the scenic views, mountain trails, wildlife, and plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a local guide to lead the way. With so much to see in the region, nature lovers can get overwhelmed deciding where to go and what attractions to prioritize. By traveling with a guide you don’t have to worry about the logistics and can rest assured you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Gather your friends and family for an incredible GUIDED ECO, ELK, UTV / SxS wilderness adventure in The Great Smoky Mountains Wilderness. You start out at Scenic Tours and Rentals and head up the mountain to the ridgeline trails. At a mile high the air is cool and fresh. The views are awing as we gaze 20 miles across the lush deep valleys and soaring mountains deep into GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS. You may operate the unit or a driver will be provided if requested at the time of booking as you explore 30 miles of dirt and gravel trails, cross babbling brooks, and pristine rivers, and view roaring waterfalls.  ELK, BEAR, TURKEY, RAPTORS, and other WILDLIFE are commonly encountered along the way. Learn of the re-introduction of the ELK, their life cycles, struggles & bright future! here in the Smokies.   This adventure is both educational, historical, and cultural as your guide shares with you early Cherokee, Appalachian history legends, and lore.   

Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains with your own private guide on this tour from Asheville. You'll visit the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, go on a quick hike in the Pisgah National Forest, and see Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. You'll also stop in the towns of Blowing Rock and Swannanoa before heading back to Asheville.

Love hiking and coffee? You've found the right place. We are all about sharing great coffee and conversation outdoors. We have 300+ waterfalls around Brevard, so it can be hard to choose which ones to see on your visit, so will make it easy - We’ll visit three of the most beautiful falls along a 3.5 mile loop. The terrain is mostly even, gravel trail with two steep sections (about 70 yards) that will get your heart pumping, but the views are worth the climbs. Here's our plan. 1. You will meet your guide at The Hooker Falls parking area in DuPont State Forest, and hike to Hooker Falls. Here we'll break to brew and share coffee together. You'll learn how to make coffee in the woods including how to filter water from the waterfall. 2. We'll head to Triple Falls. It's up a steep climb but we will take our time and the view is totally worth it. 3. After some pictures of Triple Falls, we'll keep hiking on to High Falls, a stunning end to our adventure.

Learn and experience what most people walk right by on the trail! The unique temperate rainforest ecosystem of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains is home to a stunning variety of biodiversity in the form of fascinating and beautiful plants and animals. Get to know the secrets of millipedes, salamanders, fish, insects, trees, and edible and medicinal plants with eye-level, hands-on introductions. This is a great way for kids and adults alike to bring science lessons alive in a very real and meaningful way.

North Carolina’s highlands have miles of quiet trails, scenic overlooks, and tranquil backdrops perfect for photo sessions. Join this tour to see everything from quaint towns to stunning cliffs surrounding the Asheville area. Your guide will zoom you through the highlands, passing by landmarks like the Cullasaja River Gorge and the town of Dillard. You’ll stop for photos at Looking Glass Falls and Whiteside Mountain, as well as walk the Cliffside Lake and Trail.

Paddle 7 miles (11 km) with a private guide on the picturesque French Broad River. You’ll pass by Asheville’s massive Biltmore Estate and hear about its history. Learn stand-up paddleboarding tips and techniques from your SUP instructor and keep an eye out for native wildlife like turtles, herons, otters, and osprey. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise during a morning or afternoon.

Hey y'all, my name is Bryan. I love the mountains, wilderness, wildlife, culture, and history of the Great Smoky Mountains! My ancestors, both Cherokee and early Appalachians, have called Western NC. & Eastern TN. home since prior to the Trail of Tears. of 1832–1838. As a historian and naturalist adventure guide with a degree in Environmental Sciences, I strive to provide each guest with an amazing SAFARI JEEP, ECO, ELK, WILDERNESS ADVENTURE. Coupled with Cherokee and early Appalachian, Smokey Mountain history, legend, and lore The Smokies are designation as a UN INTERNATIONAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE & WORLD HERITAGE SITE with over 50,000 different species of plants and animals.  Many folks feel our GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN Eco, ELK wilderness adventure is the highlight of their Smokey Mountain vacation. Come get wild in the Smokies, where once-in-a life time experiences are had and cherished for generations to come with scenic tours and rentals in Maggie Valley, NC.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of nature on our Waterfall Tour. Traverse the breathtaking landscapes of Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest as we unveil the hidden treasures of this picturesque region. Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring beauty of 5-6 natural wonders, each a testament to water's raw power and tranquility. Along the way, treat your senses to panoramic views of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, a backdrop that adds to the enchantment of your experience. This tour offers small hikes for all ages, making it an ideal adventure for young children and seniors. While enjoying the walks, relish the chance to cool off in crystal-clear waters and experience the thrill of a natural water slide that leads to a refreshing pool below. Whether seeking serene moments, adventurous hikes, or captivating vistas, this tour promises an unforgettable exploration of the great outdoors.

Get out into nature and experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains on this private full-day guided hike from Asheville. The experience will be tailored to your interests and preferences. Choose the distance you want to hike, and your guide will take care of the rest. Includes a picnic lunch and trekking poles, if requested.

Explore some of the best spots for fall foliage on the East Coast, including Acadia, Shenandoah, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks, Kancamagus Highway, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bar Harbor, Newport, Salem, and the Freedom Trail, with this self-guided driving tour. Enjoy the flexibility to travel at your own pace, with hands-free functionality, turn-by-turn directions, and offline access. Includes full itineraries, travel tips, audio guide, and text.