Spring is the perfect time to explore the natural beauty and unique spirit of the Asheville area’s abundant outdoor offerings. Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) is ready to help shake off the winter chill with a packed schedule of programs, adventures, and events for all ages and interests. Whether you’re ready to cast a line in a mountain stream, join a group hike to an iconic view, or enjoy a fun-filled family festival in one of your beautiful city parks, this roundup has everything needed to plan spring adventures and make new memories!
Fishing in Western North Carolina
APR’s Fly Fishing Series covers methods, tips, techniques, and rules and regulations, and more to set you up for success and get you casting at local fishing spots. Instruction builds from class to class taking you from the basics to putting your skills to the test.
- Register for Fly Knots & Rigging Workshop on March 10
- Register for Intro to Fly Fishing on March 14 or March 24
- Register for Fly Casting for Beginners on March 24 or May 4
- Register for Advanced Fly Casting on March 25 or May 5
- Register for Fly Fishing on the Water on April 23 or May 14
Harvest House Center’s Day Trips series for adults 50+ heads to Lake Julian Park with poles and bait to see what’s biting below the surface.
Hikes, Walks, and Runs in Asheville
Treks Hiking Club hosts leisurely-paced, low-impact hikes for adults 50+. $5 advance registration required which covers transportation from Murphy-Oakley Community Center.
- Register for Iconic Waterfalls Hike in DuPont State Recreational Forest on March 4
- Register for Fonta Flora State Trail Hike in Lake James State Park on March 18
- Register for Bearwallow Mountain Hike on April 16
- Register for Wilkie and Twixt Trails Hike in DuPont State Recreational Forest on April 29
After a winter break, APR’s Greenway Walking Club returns with a goal to connect community members ages 10+ through free out-and-back walks allowing for easy exploration and conversation along the city’s greenways.
- Register for Glen Creek and Reed Creek Greenways Walk on March 11
- Register for Wilma Dykeman Greenway Walk on April 15
- Register for French Broad River Greenway Walk on May 6
Designed by and for nature nerds, Naturalist Hikes are free short, slow-paced adventures with a goal to learn how to identify plants, animal tracks, bird songs, and other natural phenomena in the southern Appalachians.
- Register for Beginner Bird Walk on March 13
- Register for Woodland Birding Walk on March 31
- Register for Wildflower Identification and Ecology Walk on April 25
Burton Street Run Club offers a supportive group to set goals, motivate and challenge, and make new friends each Wednesday.
- Register for Burton Street Run Club which begins on April 7
Register now for Asheville-Buncombe Senior Games, offering multiple track and field events among several other categories including pickleball, horseshoes, cheerleading, archery, bowling, and table tennis – to name a few! Your $10 registration fee covers as many events as you would like to participate in.
Crafts, Dogs, and Festivals in Asheville Parks
APR’s outreach team rolls into parks throughout the city with crafts, games, obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and more outdoor fun throughout spring.
- Register for Art in the Park: Make and Take Crafts on March 3 and May 22
- Register for Discover Parks with the Rec ‘n’ Roll Mobile Fun Van on March 7 and April 12
- Register for Ruff ‘n’ Roll Doggie Days at Riverbend Dog Park on March 12, April 22, and May 28
- Register for Spring Kickoff Festival on March 21
- Register for Spring Break Foam Party in the Park on April 8
- Register for Spring Toddler Takeover Themed Play Days which begin on April 16
- Register for Truck City AVL on April 18
If hunting for eggs and other treasures is a spring tradition, join the Asheville Bunny for adventure in the grass.
- Register for Glow in the Park Scavenger Egg Hunt on March 27
- Register for Toddler Egg Hunt on April 1
- Register for Golden Years Egg Hunt for Adults 50+ on April 2
- Register for Spring Eggstravaganza Festival on April 4
Section image (alt text: instructor teaching youth how to draw a bow in archery class)
Climbing and Archery at Tempie Avery Montford Center
While early spring weather is unpredictable, head to the indoor rock climbing wall at Tempie Avery Montford Center for some exciting climbing sessions.
- Register for Climbing Wall Belay Clinic on March 22
- Register for Open Gym Climb for Ages 6+ on March 22
- Register for Youth Glow Climb for Ages 6-17 on March 30
Young archers learn basics of range safety, proper shooting techniques, and other essentials in the three-week Youth Beginner Archery program on Tuesday evenings.
- Register for Youth Beginner Archery which begins on April 14
Explore More with Asheville Parks & Recreation
These are just a few of the hundreds of programs, activities, and special events taking place in Asheville parks and community centers every month! Programs fill up fast and many require advance registration, so it’s worth spending some time planning which activities and events to attend. Use these resources to discover additional opportunities:
- Pick up a copy of APR’s free program guide at community center locations
- Search programs online, available in 249 languages via Google Translate’s Website Translator
- Follow APR on Facebook and Instagram
- Discover parks, greenways, playgrounds, and recreation locations throughout Asheville