Easy Hikes Near Asheville for Families

Easy Hikes Near Asheville for Families

Asheville, North Carolina, offers numerous easy hiking trails perfect for families with young children or those looking for a scenic, low-impact outdoor experience. These trails provide beautiful mountain views, waterfalls, and opportunities to see local wildlife without long or strenuous climbs. Below are three top family-friendly hikes near Asheville, each offering unique features and accessibility.

Adventure Guide to Easy Hikes Near Asheville for Families

1. Graveyard Fields Loop (Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 418.8)

• What Makes It Special: A short, scenic loop with waterfalls, open meadows, and dense forest, making it a great spot for kids.
• Key Features:
  • Two waterfalls along the trail.
  • Wooden boardwalks and benches for resting.
  • Blueberries in late summer for picking.
• Local Insights: The name "Graveyard Fields" comes from tree stumps that resemble old gravestones after a fire in the 1920s.
• Visitor Tips:
  • Best visited in summer and early fall.
  • Bring water and snacks, as the elevation is over 5,000 feet.
  • Driving Directions: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville (about 50 minutes). Look for the Graveyard Fields parking lot at Milepost 418.8.

2. Craggy Gardens Trail (Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 364.6)

• What Makes It Special: A short, family-friendly hike leading to stunning panoramic views and blooming rhododendrons in late spring.
• Key Features:
  • Less than a mile round trip.
  • Shaded forest paths leading to spectacular mountain scenery.
• Local Insights: The Craggy Gardens area is one of the best locations to see Catawba rhododendron, which blooms in June.
• Visitor Tips:
  • Arrive early to avoid crowds.
  • Wear layers—it can be 10–15 degrees cooler than in Asheville.
  • Driving Directions: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Asheville (about 40 minutes). Park at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.

3. Bent Creek Lake Trail (Bent Creek Experimental Forest)

• What Makes It Special: A flat, well-maintained path that circles Lake Powhatan, great for strollers and young kids.
• Key Features:
  • Scenic lake views, picnic spots, and sandy shores.
  • Fishing and wading opportunities.
• Local Insights: Bent Creek is part of the Pisgah National Forest, used for environmental research since 1925.
• Visitor Tips:
  • Ideal for spring and fall hikes.
  • Bring insect repellent and sunscreen.
  • Driving Directions: From Asheville, take I-26 E to NC-191 S (about 20 minutes). Park at the Hardtimes Trailhead.