Asheville, North Carolina, has become a sought-after destination, drawing visitors and new residents alike with its vibrant atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. If you’re looking for things to do, especially family-friendly activities centered around the great outdoors, Asheville truly delivers. For families wondering “where are the best Family Friendly Parks Near Me?”, you’re in luck! Buncombe County and Asheville are brimming with parks perfect for kids of all ages. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, this guide highlights some of the top playgrounds and parks in and around Asheville, NC, ensuring fun for the whole family.
Carrier Park in Asheville
Carrier Park, a unique Asheville gem, boasts an incredible transformation from the Asheville Motor Speedway to a vibrant multi-use park. The park creatively repurposes the old speedway into a velodrome, now ideal for bike riding, strollers, and scooters. The expansive former infield is now a bustling park with a wide range of family-friendly amenities. Kids will love the wooden playground, complete with a charming wooden racecar perfect for photo opportunities. For those seeking active fun, Carrier Park offers a roller hockey rink, sand volleyball and basketball courts, and even lawn bowling. Plenty of open spaces invite running and playing, alongside walking trails that offer scenic views of the French Broad River. As you enter, take a moment to visit the memorial detailing the park’s speedway history – a fascinating glimpse into Asheville’s past.
Address: 220 Amboy Road, Asheville
Nearby Family Fun: Carrier Park’s location is perfect for extending your outdoor adventures. Explore the numerous walking trails along the French Broad River or utilize the convenient boat launch. For indoor excitement, Climbmax, an indoor climbing gym, is just across the street. And don’t miss the River Arts District, a short distance away, filled with unique shops, art studios, and dining options for a complete family outing.
Botanical Gardens at Asheville
The Botanical Gardens at Asheville, adjacent to UNC-Asheville, offers a different kind of park experience, focusing on education and natural beauty. It’s a fantastic place to introduce children to the native plant life of the Southern Appalachians. Every plant is labeled, turning a walk in the gardens into an educational scavenger hunt. The stroller-friendly gravel loop trail makes it accessible for families with young children. A highlight for kids is the creek, perfect for splashing and cooling off on warmer days – water shoes are recommended!
While not a traditional playground park, the Botanical Gardens provides a peaceful retreat. Parents are asked to supervise children closely to protect the delicate gardens. The gazebo and shaded grassy lawn offer ideal spots for a family picnic amidst the tranquility of nature. Enhance your visit by picking up a free Investigation Passport from the Visitor’s Center. These passports, with various themes, encourage kids to engage their observation skills while exploring and include fun activities to continue learning at home.
Address: 151 W. T. Weaver Boulevard, Asheville
Nearby Family Fun: Downtown Asheville is a short drive from the Botanical Gardens, offering endless opportunities for family adventures. From diverse dining experiences to art galleries, breweries, and cultural attractions, downtown Asheville is a hub of activity. Explore the city and discover why it’s a top destination in the South.
Buncombe County Sports Park in Enka
For a park with something for everyone in the family, look no further than Buncombe County Sports Park. This park near Asheville boasts an extensive list of amenities. A massive soccer field is perfect for kicking a ball around or flying kites. Families will appreciate the large picnic pavilion and a fully fenced-in playground designed for kids of all abilities, including a wheelchair swing and shaded benches for caregivers. Beyond the playground, enjoy walking trails, a disc golf course, bocce ball and sand volleyball courts, ensuring hours of entertainment. Public restrooms are conveniently available within the park.
Address: 58 Apac Circle, Asheville
Nearby Family Fun: Just a short drive from the park, you can find family-friendly dining options like Galactic Pizza and Wicked Weed Brewing’s West taproom. For more outdoor adventures, the Blue Ridge Parkway and The North Carolina Arboretum are easily accessible, offering hiking, scenic drives, and further exploration of the region’s natural beauty.
Jake Rusher Park in Arden
Jake Rusher Park, affectionately known as “castle park” by locals, is renowned for its impressive wooden playground with distinctive blue-topped spires. This park near Asheville recently underwent renovations, adding a new paved parking lot, accessible sidewalks, sports courts, a pavilion, and restroom facilities, making it even more family-friendly.
The playground features a separate “Tot Lot” for toddlers with a sand pit – don’t forget sand toys! However, the main playground is designed to engage children of all ages with climbing platforms and stairs instead of ladders, promoting active play. Shaded by mature trees, Jake Rusher Park also includes a large grassy area encircled by a paved walking loop, perfect for running, playing, and leisurely strolls.
Address: 160 Sycamore Drive, Arden
Nearby Family Fun: Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, a local favorite, is within walking distance, offering a convenient spot for a post-park picnic. Across Hendersonville Road, Lakeview Putt & Play provides miniature golf for some added family entertainment.
Lake Julian Park in Arden
Lake Julian Park offers a beautiful lakeside setting for family outings. Located beside a 300-acre public lake, the park provides a wealth of amenities. Enjoy boating (rentals available or bring your own), fishing, and outdoor games like disc golf, volleyball, and horseshoes. Picnic areas and grills make it easy to enjoy a meal outdoors. The expansive playground includes a wheelchair swing and a gaga ball pit. Unique to Lake Julian is the ENOpod, nestled in the woods overlooking the lake, where you can relax in a borrowed hammock.
Lake Julian is also a community hub, hosting a monthly drum circle (March-September), a fantastic Independence Day fireworks display, and the impressive Festival of Lights during the Christmas season. Don’t forget a few quarters to feed the ducks!
Address: 37 Lake Julian Rd, Arden
Nearby Family Fun: Biltmore Park Town Square, with numerous restaurants, shops, and a large movie theater, is just a short drive from Lake Julian. You can easily combine a park visit with shopping, dining, or a movie for a full day of family fun.
Silver-Line Park in Woodfin
Silver-Line Park, Woodfin’s newest gem, opened in 2022 and is quickly becoming a local favorite. A key part of Woodfin’s plan to enhance river recreation, the park features a section of the Woodfin Greenway/Blueway and Whitewater Wave. Kids are immediately drawn to the pirate ship-themed playground. The park also offers a pavilion, picnic area, river access, a boat ramp, public restrooms, and walking trails. Affectionately called “pirate park,” Silver-Line Park offers a unique and engaging play space for children and a relaxing environment for parents.
Address: 1054 Riverside Drive, Woodfin
Nearby Family Fun: For parents seeking a local brew, Riverside Rhapsody and Zillicoah Brewing are nearby family-friendly breweries. For more adventure, rent mountain bikes from Beer City Bikes and explore the trails at Richmond Hill Park, about 10 minutes away.
Roy Pope Park in Woodfin
Roy Pope Memorial Park, home to Avery’s Little Corner playground, is considered by many locals as the best playground in the area, especially for toddlers. The soft rubber ground cover provides a safe play environment for little ones exploring the colorful castle and dragon play structures. It’s also engaging for older kids with swings and varied play equipment.
Beyond the playground, Roy Pope Park features a covered picnic pavilion for rent, shaded benches, cooling misters for hot days, a gravel walking path, an open play area, and public restrooms. The Town of Woodfin has also added a Little Free Library, perfect for impromptu story time during park visits.
Address: 90 Elk Mountain Road, Woodfin
Nearby Family Fun: Pelican’s SnoBalls, just a short drive north, offers a sweet treat to cool down after playtime. Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, to the east, provides a tranquil nature escape.
Robert Lake Park in Montreat
Robert Lake Park, also known as Montreat Park, is a beautiful, shady park maintained by the Montreat Conference Center. Ideal for hot summer days, the park features several separate wooden playgrounds connected by charming wooden bridges. A creek meanders through the park, adding to its natural appeal. Playing in the creek is a must-do – bring swimsuits, water shoes, and water toys for creek exploration.
Address: 317 Assembly Dr., Montreat/Black Mountain
Nearby Family Fun: For hiking enthusiasts, Robert Lake Park is near trailheads for the West Ridge Trail and the Walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary. Downtown Black Mountain, close to Montreat, offers shops, restaurants, and cafes, perfect for a day of combined park fun and town exploration.
Lake Louise Park in Weaverville
Lake Louise Park in Weaverville is a must-visit destination. This 15.5-acre park centers around a picturesque five-acre man-made lake with a paved path around its perimeter, great for walking or strollers. Picnic and grilling areas are plentiful. Kids will enjoy the playground, and outdoor exercise equipment is available for adults. Fishing is permitted in the lake with a valid license.
A short walk from the lake, discover a dam-created waterfall with an old water wheel and a small creek, offering a charming, almost painting-like scene. Lake Louise is home to ducks, geese, and turtles, adding to its appeal for families.
Address: Lake Louise Drive, Weaverville
Nearby Family Fun: Explore the growing town of Weaverville, with attractions like Main Street Nature Park and Well-Bred Bakery, known for delicious desserts. Weaverville offers a charming small-town experience to complement your park visit.
Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa
Charles D. Owen Park in Swannanoa is a tranquil and mostly shaded park featuring a one-mile figure-eight walking trail around two fishing ponds. Set beside the Swannanoa River, it’s perfect for dog walking, scootering, leisurely strolls, and enjoying nature. Amenities include baseball fields, basketball courts, an outdoor fitness course, and a newer, colorful playground with a wheelchair-accessible swing.
A unique feature of Charles D. Owen Park is the magical bamboo forest – a fun and intriguing walk-through experience for kids. The park entrance, located behind the National Wiper Alliance building, can be easily missed, so watch for signs.
Address: 875 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa
Nearby Family Fun: Nature continues to be the focus near Charles D. Owen Park. The Jones Mountain Trail Head and Warren Wilson River Trails are nearby for hiking. For a unique lodging experience, Everbear Farm offers “riverside glamping.”
These ten family friendly parks near me in and around Asheville, NC, provide a fantastic escape into nature, offering diverse amenities and experiences for families. From playgrounds and splash-worthy creeks to scenic trails and lakeside relaxation, these parks invite you to unwind and enjoy the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Use this guide as your starting point to explore these unique destinations and create lasting family memories in the Asheville outdoors.
