Kid-Friendly Canoe Trips Near Asheville/Hendersonville (Lake Lure: 2013, rentals, shop)

[wallyb2013]

We're visiting family in Asheville and Hendersonville over Labor Day weekend and are considering doing a canoe trip. We have a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old, so we're looking for a boat that can fit our family and a route that is calm enough that we don't have to worry about falling out of the boat. I'd ideally like to find something closer to Hendersonville. Does this type of thing exist, or is it mostly river rafting and tubing?

[Susieisanartist]

This one's in Asheville. The leg of the French Broad River that runs through Asheville is calm.

Kayaking Trips on the French Broad River - Asheville's Local Inner Tube Rental, Paddle Outfitters and Disc Golf Shop - 828-505-7371

[BC1960]

French Broad Outfitters only allows children 6 years and older on canoe trips, so that won't work for the OP. You don't want to put a 2 1/2 year old and a 4 month old in a canoe. The ideal situation would be a paddleboat on a small lake. I'm not sure if any city parks have that in the Asheville area.


Edit: It appears paddleboats are available at lake Julian: https://www.buncombecounty.org/Gover...akeJulian.aspx

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by wallyb2013

We're visiting family in Asheville and Hendersonville over Labor Day weekend and are considering doing a canoe trip. We have a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old, so we're looking for a boat that can fit our family and a route that is calm enough that we don't have to worry about falling out of the boat. I'd ideally like to find something closer to Hendersonville. Does this type of thing exist, or is it mostly river rafting and tubing?

If your family is aware of Lake Lure about 16 miles east of downtown Hendersonville, have them check with someone there. I'm not sure of how the boat trips are scheduled, or age ranges etc., but they do have lake cruises and it is a very calm lake, and there is a nice safe beach for children.

That would be a whole lot safer than taking a toddler and a new baby out on a canoe; the rivers here mostly have rocky bottoms. Please, do not put those children in a canoe, anywhere. We don't want your family to be among the statistics, sadly, of which there are several here every year.

[saucystargazer]

Most boat/kayak rentals won't allow under 3 as the min but sometimes older. The only place the might would be lake lure with a pontoon boat but I'm pretty doubtful of that.

Taking an infant out is not smart idea though. :/ Maybe get family to watch them and you can go as a date.