Rafting Asheville NC

Blue Heron Whitewater is now offering souvenir items featuring our logo. Sandy, who is one of the owners of this up and coming NC rafting company, designed the logo a couple of years ago when we were first getting our little whitewater rafting company off the ground. It's a beautiful logo and prints beautifully on all sorts of items. Anything from t-shirts to dog bowls. And you don't have to wait to go rafting on the French Broad River with us. You can order your French Broad River rafting souvenirs on line at www.cafepress.com/BlueHeronWW.
For more information on Blue Heron Whitewater and the white water rafting trips we run on the French Broad River near Asheville, NC check out our website or give us a call at 888-426-7238 (h2o-raft).

Well it actually happened. The Marshall, NC volunteer fire dept. showed up at our outpost and burned down the old chicken barn. They had the required permits, it was a nice day with a little snow still on the ground, and we were ready to make room for the next phase in the life of Blue Heron Whitewater. Now it's a matter of getting the required permits and doing some building. The new outpost will be in a portion of the foot print left by the chicken barn. Not as big as the chicken barn (that was a big building), but in the same general area.
We hope to have the new outpost up and running for the beginning of the regular rafting season. So come rafting on the French Broad River with us. A new outpost is coming to Blue Heron Whitewater and we are thrilled. I'm pretty sure this is going to be the last new outpost we have for a while. Please join us as Blue Heron Whitewater continues to grow and share with you our love of whitewater adventures on the French Broad River near Asheville, NC.
www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com
888-426-7238 (h2o-raft)

So last week we got a call from our friend Tom at the Asheville Visitor Center. He said he was talking to a couple of young women who wanted to go rafting on the French Broad River and could we take them. The weather looked like it was going to cooperate, there was plenty of water in the river, and these women were from Copenhagen, and not deterred by a little chilly weather. So the trip was a go.
Sandy drove to Asheville to pick up Marie and Nana at their hostel. I believe they were staying at a new hostel in Asheville called Sweet Peas, located above the LAB (Lexington Avenue Brewery). Sandy, Nana, and Marie then met up with Drew, who was going to kayak along and take photos, Fritz who would drive the trip, and Amy who was going to ride along in the raft to see if she might want to be a raft guide this summer. And off they went, rafting down the French Broad River on beautiful, sunny, if somewhat cool day. The water was up a bit so they paddled the nine mile stretch to Hot Springs through plenty of big class III waves and lots of sunshine and smiles. A great time was had by all and we want to thank Marie and Nana for making our fist trip of the 2010 whitewater rafting season so much fun. A special thanks to Tom and the Asheville Visitor Center for calling us and getting the ball rolling on what we are sure is going to be a great white water rafting season here on the French Broad River.
There's five inches of snow out there right now, but if you want a unique adventure (snowater rafting?) give us a call, it'll be fun, even if you're not from Denmark. Remember, we're only 18 minutes from Asheville, NC.
888-426-7238 (h2o-raft) www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com

We were expecting a couple of inches of snow yesterday, but ended up getting upwards of a foot here at the Blue Heron Whitewater outpost on the French Broad River near Asheville, NC. That's a lot of snow for around here and it gave us the opportunity to dust off our skis and snowshoes and go play in the snow. And although the snow will be long gone before the whitewater rafting season is in full swing, the slowly melting snow will help recharge the the groundwater. So when it rains this spring and summer the water will go into the river instead of into the ground. And water in the river is easier to raft on then water in the ground.

Some of the Blue Heron Whitewater staff have just returned from a 21 day river trip through the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River. It was a fantastic trip combining perfect weather, great friends, spectacular scenery, and exciting whitewater. It is difficult to describe the majesty of the Grand Canyon and photos can only hint at the sensory experience you get being on the river and camping for three weeks. The smell of the desert, the early morning light, the roar of Lava Falls, the accompanying knot in your stomach, sleeping under the stars as the Milky Way unfolds above you. These impressions, and a thousand more a day make up a river trip through the Grand Canyon.
It's great to be back in Western North Carolina. The leaves are still beautiflu, there's plenty of water in the river, and it's warm out. If you can stand the thought of listening to stories about the Colorado River come on out. We are still running fantastic trips here on the French Broad River near Asheville, NC.
For more info check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-h2o-raft (426-7238)

It's been raining a lot here in the Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville area and the river is up. One of the many great things about the French Broad River is the fact that it is a free flowing river. The way rivers are supposed to be. The French Broad isn't controlled by a dam. It's an all natural river. When it rains the river level goes up. The water moves faster and the waves get bigger. When the level goes down, the water moves slower and the rapids become more technical, requiring more maneuvering of the raft between rocks. All levels on the French Broad River are good and fun; they just have a different flavor. That's one reason we love to guide on this river. The different river flows require us, as guides, to understand the dynamics of the river at different levels. It's a great challenge and a great way to connect to the life of the river.
The flow of the river is measured in cfs (cubic feet per second). A cubic foot is about the size of a square basketball, and the number of square basketballs that pass an invisible plane across the river every second is cfs. Before the recent rain, the river was running about 1000 cfs, which is fairly normal for this time of year. After the rain the river peaked at about 15,000 cfs, which produced some Grand Canyon sized waves at several rapids. Interestingly, that much water made what is usually the biggest rapid on the river, Frank Bell's Rapid, easier.
The great thing about this recent rain is that it has been a slow and steady rain. The ground is saturated and all the streams upstream are running. We should have high to highish water for a good while.
So if you want to try some big water NC rafting near Asheville, NC give us a call at 888-426-7238 (h2o-raft), or check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com. We are also posting daily water levels on our twitter page.

It's mid September and as you paddle your raft down the French Broad River, just north of Asheville NC, you can see fall colors starting to seep through the leaves along the river banks. The weather and the water are still warm, the summer crowds are gone, and the glory and majesty of the mountains are on full display.
Just 20 minutes from Asheville, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest outfitter to Asheville for this whitewater stretch of the French Broad River. The French Broad River is one of NC rafting's hidden treasures. Warmer water, fewer crowds, and gorgeous, isolated scenery make rafting on the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater a great adventure for the whole family. The rapids are moderate (minimum age is 8), your guides are fantastic and experienced, and this ancient river is full of fun and the unexpected.
Join us as we go rafting with North Carolina's fall colors. Thrill to the class 2 and 3 rapids (class 4 if you go on a full day trip). Between rapids, sit back and take in the timeless splendor of the mountains as they make the miraculous transformation from summer green to autumn orange. It's a great time to go rafting.
For more information log on to our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238 (h2o-raft). We will be running trips through October and into early November. Actually, if you want to go rafting in December, January, or February, we'll go with you.

The idea of white water rafting near Asheville, NC conjures images of splashy rapids and smiling laughter, but there is more available to you if you take a moment to look and listen. The French Broad River and the surrounding hills are alive with an astounding variety creatures. Some common, some elusive. Keep an eye out and ears pealed. The next crash through the woods you hear could be a black bear, or maybe your photographer has slipped and fallen down the river bank. In any case, whitewater rafting on North Carolina's French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater is sure to be an adventure. So escape the mid-summer heat by splashing and laughing your way down this fun old North Carolina river, and if you are lucky, and paying attention, you might just get a glimpse of some fabulous creatures along the way. Join Blue Heron Whitewater on the French Broad River, it's more then a white water trip, it's a river trip.
For more information peruse our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-h2o-Raft (426-7238).

White water rafting on North Carolina's French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater is sure to bring out the kid in anybody. Buckle up your pfd (personal floatation device), strap on your helmet and push off shore for some adventure on the river. Leave your every day life on shore and enjoy the beauty and exhilaration of river-time. Float through the forrest under a Carolina sky. Laugh your way through the fun rapids of the French Broad River. Add a new layer of connection with friends or family. Join us for a classic river trip of adventure, fun and memories. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, but a world away. Blue Heron Whitewater on the French Broad River.
www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com
888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft)

Blue Heron Whitewater and a local Boy Scout troop teamed up for a French Broad River clean-up trip. Although the water quality of the French Broad River is good, any time it rains we can get some trash floating downstream and littering the river banks. Thanks to the efforts of the river outfitters and organizations such as the Scouts and RiverLink in Asheville, we are making a dent in river-side litter. It is, however, a constant battle .

There is no better way to cool off a hot summer day than hitting the waves of a class III rapid on North Carolina's famous French Broad River. Blue Heron Whitewater is running morning river trips, afternoon river trips, and all day river trips on this free-flowing, beautiful old river.
Conveniently located right on highway 25/70 bypass near Marshall NC, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest outfitter to the city of Asheville NC, and has a variety of boats to make sure we can squeeze the most fun out of your day on the French Broad River.
Only twenty minutes from downtown Asheville, a rafting trip on North Carolina's French Broad River is a great way to spend part of your day floating down an ancient river through the oldest mountain chain in the world. I you have a full plate of activities planned, a morning or afternoon trip can fit nicely into your schedule. If you have the time, a full day trip lets you fully immerse yourself into the flow and lore of these wise old mountains.
So please join us for a North Carolina rafting classic. Family-friendly moderate rapids, swim-friendly water temperatures, and fun-friendly experienced guides will make your time with us on the French Broad River memorable and possibly addictive. Give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft) or check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com.

Asheville North Carolina's French Broad River is a great NC rafting river for groups of just about any type. Corporate, church, school, scout, and family. All these group types and more can benefit from a NC rafting trip on the French Broad River. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, NC, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest outfitter for this stretch of the French Broad River. You can spend a half day on river, or a full day and still be back in Asheville for other activities.
Rafting with Blue Heron Whitewater is an amazing way to get out into these ancient mountains of western North Carolina, and has the added benefit, for groups, of providing a natural format for team building, cooperation, and just plain fun.
Rafting through North Carolina's majestic Blue Ridge Mountains is a tradition for many families. Many folks tell us that they are bringing their families rafting because they have such positive memories of their own childhood rafting trips in North Carolina. Many even incorporate a rafting trip into wedding and family reunion plans. A family rafting trip on the French Broad River can be a long-lasting and even a profound bonding experience for families. The minimum age for Blue Heron Whitewater's standard whitewater trip is 8 years. If you have children as young as 4, or you just want river float trip,  that kind of trip is an option for you as well.
Among the traits that make the French Broad River ideal for groups is the moderate nature of its rapids. Not too scary for the inexperienced, but plenty of action for those who have been rafting before. Another group-friendly trait for a group rafting trip on the French Broad River is the variety of boats you have to choose from. The variety of boat types means that a group that has different experience levels can still go down the river together as a team. If some members of your group have more rafting experience an inflatable kayak or a self-guided raft might be an option. If everyone in your group wants to stay together in guided rafts that is up to you. A raft with a guide is always one of your options. (The French Broad River is a free-flowing river so water levels can affect the boat choices available.)
So if you are looking for a group activity that is fun, unique, and educational consider a group rafting trip down the French Broad River. We are proud to say that we have 20+ years of experience with group rafting trips and can accommadate groups of just about any size. From two to two hundred (or more), a group rafting trip down the French Broad River will be a fun and memorable time for all.
For more information please give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H20-Raft), and check out our web site at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com.

Being a white water rafting guide on the French Broad River, near Asheville, NC has some pretty nice perks when it comes to family vacations. You see, my family, parents, sisters, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews often visit me, knowing we’ll get to spend a fun day rafting together on a beautiful river. Blue Heron Whitewater on the French Broad River provides the closest, family-friendly, whitewater rafting trips to Asheville, NC. It’s wonderful to live in such a place, with so many cool things to do, that family wants to visit! Check out our website www.blueheronwhitewater.com or call 888-426-7238 (H2O-Raft).

Last Saturday a group of 10 friends, who’d met at college some 15 years ago, reunited on a French Broad River rafting trip with Blue Heron Whitewater.  The guys came from all over the country, to base their reunion adventure out of Asheville, NC.  The French Broad River was prime!  Taking advantage of all the recent rain, the class IV Frank Bells Rapid delivered a big ride, for the grand finale of the trip. Good fun was had by all! There is talk of a return trip in 2010…
Give us a call at 888-426-7238 (H2O-RAFT) or check out our website at www.blueheronwhitewater.com.

North Carolina rafting is some of the nations best. Western North Carolina is home to a variety of whitewater opportunities. From experts-only steep creeks to mellow, meandering water ways. Smack dab in the middle of this range of river trips is the French Broad River. Born in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Smoky Mountain National Park, the French Broad River flows north and west toward the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico. The stretch of river just outside Asheville, NC and near Marshall and Hot Springs, NC has a wonderful stretch of moderate white water. This North Carolina rafting river is a free-flowing river. Never a worry about the water being shut off by power companies and dam operators. Thats how we like it here at Blue Heron Whitewater. The free flowing aspect means the river is never the same twice. One day the water is up and we take bigger rafts, then the water drops a bit and we get to try out inflatable kayaks (aka: ducks). We also appreciate the historic and natural aspects of this river trip. There are no roads along this stretch of the river giving river runners on this North Carolina river the feel of a true wilderness river experience. Blue Heron Whitewater is now running both half-day and full-day rafting trips on the French Broad River here in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. This is the perfect river trip for families, couples, youth groups, corporate groups, and just about anyone who loves to get out in nature for a unique view of the world we live on. The moderate nature of the rapids combined with the variety of boat choices we have available means that the French Broad River and Blue Heron Whitewater can satisfy the whitewater desires of both the beginner and those with more experience. So if you live in North Carolina, or you plan to visit come rafting with Blue Heron Whitewater on a great North Carolina river. You can reserve online at www.BlueHeronWhitewater or call us at 888-H2O-RAFT (866-246-7238).

It is time. Time to shake off winter and get outside. Get out on the French Broad River and enjoy the rapids and views of the mountains. If you are in the Asheville NC area head to the white water of the French Broad River. Only 20 minutes from Asheville, Blue Heron Whitewater is the closest rafting outfitter running half-day and full-day rafting trips on the mighty French Broad. The French Broad River is wide and warm with moderate rapids that are fun and sure to make you smile. Between rapids the spectacular spring scenery will have you in awe of the natural beauty of the hills and mountains of Western North Carolina. As you float down this ancient river your guide will regale you with stories of the natural and human history of the area. Until, that is, the next rapid. Then it's time for your group or family to focus, work together and navigate the rapid. That's how it is rafting on this river. Fun and excitement one minute, then the sudden realization that you are floating on a river through the oldest mountain range on the planet. Rafting North Carolina's French Broad River. Come join us.
Check out our website at www.BlueHeronWhitewater.com or give us a call at 888-426-7238(H2O-Raft).

Many thanks to Gary Peeples at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for organizing this fascinating seminar about the French Broad River. The seminar included speakers and experts involved with stream and river quality and monitoring at RiverLink in Asheville, NC, as well as experts in the fields of invasive species, stream entomology, native plant ID, and fish ecology and identification. Add to that, instruction on the art of interpretation, and we had a fun, educational, and enlightening day. Sort of like being on a whitewater rafting trip. So the next time you are on a whitewater rafting trip with Blue Heron Whitewater don't be surprised if you see your guides turning over river rocks looking for hellgrammites to show the kids, or talking about the effects of sediment on river quality. Now when you ask your guide the name of that tree, or what kind of fish are in the French Broad River, you might actually be getting accurate information.   

Now that the Sarvis berry blooms have come and gone, it is time for the Dogwood to strut it's stuff. The best possible way to view North Carolina's state flower is, of course, to go on a white water rafting trip on the French Broad River with Blue Heron Whitewater. Heck, bring the entire family rafting. Rafting is great for groups and kids love messing around in boats. And at this time of year the dogwoods are putting on a spectacular show.
You might be asking, why is this tree called a dogwood? One idea is that it was once called a dagwood tree because the very hard wood of the stems made excellent daggers or skewers. (Nothing to do with sandwiches or cartoon characters). Another thought is that when two dogwood limbs rub against each other the sound is like that of a barking dog. Or maybe it's because dogs used to be washed with soap made from the tree's bark. And, did you know,  the fruit can be know as dog berries. And, last little fun-fact, a spring-time cold snap can be known as a dogwood winter.

There is also a Christian legend about the dogwood tree being changed by Jesus after the crucifixion. What was once a large and strong tree was changed into a small tree with twisted limbs so that it could never again be used to make crosses for crucifixions. The four white petals of the flower represent the four corners of the cross with the red indentations on the tips of the petals being the nail marks, the red stamens of the flower represent the crown of thorns, and the red fruit represent His blood.

Please join us for a wonderful and informative rafting trip down the French Broad River near Marshall, NC. Our outpost is only a 20 minute drive from Asheville, NC. We are the closest outfitter to Asheville that runs whitewater rafting trips this stretch of river. The rapids are fun and floating down the river is a great way to experience the spectacular spring foliage.

A common question asked of river guides is "what do you do when you aren't rafting on the French Broad River"?. Many guides go back to their real jobs as teachers  in Asheville, NC, some return to school, and some move out West for a winter to work in the ski industry. Back in the day we called ourselves migrant sports workers and at the end of the rafting season we would pack up all of our worldly possessions (which would conveniently fit into a small car) and head west to Colorado, trading a life revolving around flowing water for one revolving around frozen water. Jobs, once again, dependent on precipitation.  
One of the destinations these days is Mammoth Lakes California. Located in the Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Mountain gets lots of snow but has moderate temperatures. White water rafting guides who used upper body muscles all summer now have a chance to get those legs in shape.
Two of our guides, Jon and Dana worked and lived in Mammoth this past winter. Jon drove buses and was a dispatcher for the town transit system and Dana was a cross-country ski instructor and yoga teacher. Unfortunately for us Jon has decided to stay in California and explore the Sierras this summer, and Dana has decided to go back to school and study physical therapy. An interest prompted by a couple of skiing accidents perhaps? In any case they will be sorely missed. We wish them the best of luck of course and thank them again for their positive energy and hard work. Their invaluable help and input made our first season fun and successful. Fortunately, the family of whitewater rafting guides forms a tight circle and we are confident that we will be paddling with Jon and Dana again soon. Hopefully we will not be in need of Dana's skills as a physical therapist.

It's starting to look like spring here on the French Broad River and there have been more warm day than cold recently.
Spring means there's ducks on the French Broad River! I'm talking about both the smaller flying kind and, more pertinent to Blue Heron Whitewater, the inflatable kind that we can paddle.
Ducks are a really fun way to get out on the river near Asheville, NC and enjoy the arrival of spring. It's also great to get in a raft with a few friend or family members. Getting out on the river is the perfect way to shake off the winter blues.