Archive for the ‘Things to Do Outside’ Category

13+ Places To Go River Tubing Near Charlotte, NC

Thinking about tubing in Charlotte, NC? If you’re looking to cool off this summer in Charlotte, NC, or take a short day trip to cool off in the river, here are several places you can enjoy a day on the river with friends or solo! The only requirements? That you have fun and stay safe on the water!

River Tubing Tips

River Tubing: Charlotte, NC

A few friendly tips before you go tubing:

Check the business’s social media page and website below before going to be sure they are open.
Book before you go (many places require this but some allow walk-ups the day of).
Sign your waiver(s) before you go to save time.
Take sunscreen, water, bug spray, bathing suits, towels, and water shoes in case rocks are present. (Flip flops are not the best idea here!)
Do NOT take anything valuable that could get wet or lost in the river.
There are age requirements for children to tube so be sure to read the FAQ pages. In some cases, children may be allowed at a specific age but also need to be accompanied by an adult.
All children under 13 years old are required to wear life jackets on the water.
Water levels and conditions on the river can really impact how long your tubing adventure will last. Be prepared to be flexible!

River Tubing: Charlotte, NC

Cape Fear River Adventures

At Cape Fear River Adventures you can enjoy river tubing, kayaking, and canoeing trips near Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Fayetteville, NC. They offer guided trips, rentals, and classes to meet every experience level and need.

Kids ages 3+ are welcome here.
Regular tube rental is $29
Premium tube rental is $34
Double tube rental is $69
Child tube rental (age 3-7) is $24
All prices include tube rental, life jacket, shuttle, and safety brief
They are currently open for the 2024 season

Address: 100 South Main Street, Lillington, NC 27546
You can follow Cape Fear Adventures Facebook page for daily trip schedules and pricing.

Wilderness Cove

At Wilderness Cove, a short 1.5-hour drive from Charlotte, in Saluda, North Carolina, you can camp out, enjoy a day of tubing, and enjoy the many amenities Wilderness Cove campground offers.

All children must be 42” or taller to tube
You can enjoy river tubing even if you are not staying onsite at the campground or other lodging.
They open for the season on May, 24th, 2024.
All children under the age of 13 must wear a life jacket.
Tube rentals include the tube, shuttle, and life jacket.
The 1.5-mile float is $15
The 4.5-mile float is $15
The 6-mile float is $20

Address: 3772 Green River Cove Road, Saluda, NC 28773
You can follow Wilderness Cove’s Outdoor Adventures Facebook page for the daily updated schedule to book your trip.

Catawba River Outdoors

At Catawba River Outdoors in Marion, North Carolina, you can spend a day tubing on the river.

Children age 2+ MUST weigh 30+ pounds, be accompanied by two adults, be attached to both adults with straps they provide, and wear a life jacket.
You can pay cash or use a card.
Adults and kids cost $20 each for the 2-hour run and $25 each for the 4-hour run.
The group rate is $15 per person for the 2-hour run and $20 per person for the 4-hour run.
Reservations are not required unless you have a party of 20+
They open for the season on May 24th, 2024.

Address: 2334 US 221 Business North, Marion, NC 28752
Distance from Charlotte: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Follow the Catawba River Outdoors Facebook page for more details.

Asheville Adventure Co.

At Asheville Adventure Co., about two hours from Charlotte, you can float down the French Broad River through the mountains. They offer tubing, white water rafting, kayaking, and more!

Children ages 4+ are welcome.
Cost is $35 per person and includes the tube rental, personal flotation device, and shuttle service.
Reserve your trip in advance.

Address: 521 Amboy Road, Asheville, NC 28806
To learn more, follow the Asheville Adventure Company Instagram.

Zen Tubing

Zen Tubing, also in Asheville, NC, offers tubing down the French Broad River. They have two locations in Asheville to choose from.

We went tubing at Zen! Read all about our experience in the Kidding Around Review of Zen Tubing.

Children ages 4+ are welcome.
Cost is $30+ per person and includes the tube rental, life jacket, free parking, and a shuttle ride.
They open on May 18th, 2024.

Address: 1648 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28704
Follow Zen Tubing on social media.

High Mountain Expeditions

At High Mountain Expeditions in Banner Elk, NC you can go river tubing on the New River, canoe, kayak, and spend the day caving in Worley’s Cave.

Children ages 3+ are welcome.
Cost is $25 per person
Cooler tubes are $10

Address: 3149 Tynecastle Highway, Banner Elk, NC 28604
To learn about their pricing and book an adventure follow the High Mountain Expeditions social media.

Brevard Tubing

Opens May 2024, Brevard Tubing is about 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC.

We had a blast when we went tubing in Brevard. Check it out in our Kidding Around Review of Brevard Tubing.

Special tube all day for $30
$30/person; $25/NC resident; $35/person holidays; $15/person for a second trip
Must be 4 years old to tube; life jackets required for kids ages 12 and under, which Brevard Tubing provides
No reservations needed

Everett Road, Pisgah Forest, NC 828.515.3556

Cherokee Rapids River Tubing

Cherokee Rapids River is about 3 hours from Charlotte and offers tubing on the Oconaluftee River.

Children must be 5+ to participate and they strongly advise against pregnant women or non-swimmers floating.
Cost is $14 per person and includes the rental, life jacket, and shuttle.
They are open daily starting on Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Weather and river conditions permitting.

Address: 1681 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, NC 28719
Follow Cherokee Rapids River Tubing on social media for details.

Zaloo’s Canoes

At Zaloo’s Canoes, about two hours north of Charlotte in Jefferson, NC, you can tube, canoe, and kayak down the New River. They open on April 27th, 2024.

Cost for the 2-hour adult tube is $20
Cost for the 2-hour kid (up to 70 pounds) tube is $15
Cost for the 4-hour adult tube is $30
Cost for the 4-hour kid tube is $20
Tube rentals include paddles and life jackets are required for everyone under the age of 13

Address: 3874 NC Hwy 16 S, Jefferson, NC 28640
Follow Zaloo’s Canoes on their Facebook page for booking and hours of operation.

Green River Tubing Co

At Green River Tubing Co in Saluda, NC, about 1.5 hours from Charlotte, you can tube down the Green River. Opening date is TBD. They are open Monday through Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.

Children must be 42 inches tall to participate.
Cost is $10 per person for the 3-mile run
Cost is $15 per person for the 6-mile run

Address: 5200 Green River Cove Road, Saluda NC 28773
Follow Green River Tubing Co on Facebook for details on opening day.

Palmetto Outdoor

At Palmetto Outdoor, only a 1.5-hour drive from Charlotte, you can tube the lower Saluda River.

Children must be 10+ years to tube at Palmetto Outdoor.
You can book your experience on their website before midnight the night before you visit or bring cash only for walk-ups the day of.
They are open seven days a week from Memorial Day until Labor Day every year. They are open Sunday to Friday 12 pm to 3 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Cost ranges from $15-$85 per tube depending on your needs.

Address: 131 Alexander Road, West Columbia, SC 29169
Follow Palmetto Outdoor on Facebook for pricing and booking.

Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground

At Deep Creek Tube Center in Bryson City, NC, about a 3-hour drive from Charlotte, NC, you can enjoy tubing, camping, and gem mining.

We went tubing on Deep Creek! Check out our experience in our Kidding Around Review Tubing Deep Creek.

Children are welcome but it is recommended that the lower section of the river is best for smaller children.
They open for the 2024 season on April 4th and are open for tubing until Monday, October 28th, 2024.
Spring & Fall hours are Sunday through Thursday 9 am to 5 pm and they are open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm.
Summer hours are every day from 9 am to 8 pm.
Cost is $8 per tube and you get the rental all day.
They encourage you to bring your own life jacket but do have them for rent on-site.

Address: 1040 West Deep Creek Rd. Bryson City, NC 28713
Follow Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground on Facebook for more details.

Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft

At Smoky Mountain Tube & Raft in Cherokee, NC, about a 3-hour drive from Charlotte, NC, you can tube and raft down the Oconaluftee River.

Children ages 5+ are welcome.
They are open daily, starting on Memorial Day weekend, from 10 am to 5 pm until Labor Day.
Cost is $14 per person.

Address: 1847 Tsali Blvd, Cherokee, NC 28719
Follow Smoky Mountain Tubing on Facebook for more details.

Tar River Life

At Tar River Life, at their Bunn, NC location, about 3 hours from Charlotte, NC, you can tube and kayak down the river.

Children must be 5+ to participate and all children under 8 years of age have to be buckled to an adult.
Cost is $23 per person and the adult tube comes with a cup holder, headrest, and paddle. The smaller tubes for children also have headrests.
The ride is 1.5 miles long.
Groups of 15-30 people get a 10% discount.
Groups of 31 or more get a 15% discount.

Address: 3240 Sledge Road, Bunn, NC 27508
Follow Tar River Life’s Facebook page for more details.

Did we miss a place? If so, let us know, and keep checking back for more spots to enjoy this summer!

Want lots more tubing options? Find great river tubing spots all over the southeast in this list of our favorite river tubing spots sorted by state!

Delightful! Where To Go Blueberry Picking In Charlotte, NC (2024)

Ready for blueberry picking, Charlotte, NC? We are berry excited (see what I did there) to find the best berries in or within a driveable distance of, Charlotte, North Carolina this summer. If you are looking for a great pick-your-own berry patch, we have a whole list for you to choose from. The berry season here usually starts early or mid-June, but you’ll want to keep an eye on the social media pages of all these farms as picking availability is highly dependent on the weather!

McLawland Farms

At this farm, you can pick your own blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. They also offer pick-your-own wildflowers, two Airbnb’s on-site you can stay in, and a wide range of fun events. Berry picking season will start at the beginning of June and you must make a berry picking appointment before going.

Address: 8632 Reedy Creek Rd Charlotte, NC 28215
Cost: Check the McLawland Farms social media for 2024 pricing soon.
McLawland Farms Facebook

Wise Acres Farm

At this farm, you can pick your own strawberries, blueberries, and sunflowers. Your ticket includes access to the U-pick fields, playground, picnic areas, and more. You must make a reservation before going. Blueberry season and picking starts in early June with reservations available in May.

Address: 4701 Hartis Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Cost: Admission is $2 per person (ages 3+) and blueberry pricing per pound will be posted on the Wide Acres social media when the season starts in early June.
Wise Acres Facebook Page

TLC Blueberry Farm

At this farm, you can pick your own blueberries or purchase your very own blueberry bushes to take home and plant. Blueberry season starts in early June, but blueberry plants are sold in early spring and fall. They are only open to pick on Saturdays.

Address: 3318 Greene Road, Monroe NC 28110
Cost: Blueberries are $4 per pound.
Follow the TLC Blueberry Farm Facebook Page for more details about opening day.

The Ivy Place

At this farm, you can pick your own blueberries, strawberries, and flowers. They host many events throughout the year as well. Blueberry season starts in early June. They are open from 9 am to 5 pm every day.

Address: 8603 Van Wyck Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Cost: TBA
Follow The Ivy Place Facebook Page for pricing and opening dates.

De’Farm On Blueberry Hill

This farm features pick-your-own blueberries, mushrooms, and fun hiking trails you can enjoy. Their blueberry U-pick opening day is June 15th, 2024. They will be open Monday through Saturday 8 am to 11 am. You can make an appointment any day or time to pick after the morning hours. They recommend appointments for groups.

We just love this pretty scene from the farm!

Address: 1489 Hopewell Church Road, Catawba, NC 28609
Cost: $26/gallon. Cash only.
Follow the De’Farm in Blueberry Hill Facebook Page for more details.

Brushy Mountain Berry Farm

This farm offers U-pick blueberries in early June. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm.

Address: 7493 NC Highway 16 S, Moravian Falls, NC 28654
Cost: TBA
Follow the Brushy Mountain Berry Farm Facebook Page for more details on pricing.

Bush-N-Vine York Stand (The Farm)

This farm offers U-pick blueberries, strawberries, a hiking trail, and a playground area. Blueberry season starts here in May and runs until July. They are open Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm, Saturdays 8 am to 5 pm, and closed on Sundays. You can also purchase pre-picked berries here.

Buch-N-Vine also has tasty ice cream. We test these things out you know, all the in the name of research, of course. In the summer you’ll also find delicious peaches!

Bush N Vine orchard in York, South Carolina

Address: 1650 Filbert Hwy, York, SC 29745
Cost: $3.50/pound.
Follow the Bush-N-Vine social media for more details.

Campbells Berry Farm

This farm features U-pick blueberries. Their blueberry season will start in June. They are open Monday through Saturday 7 am to 7 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm to 6 pm.

Address: 27 Tracy Bolick Lane, Hickory, NC 28601
Cost: TBA
Follow the Campbells Berry Farm Facebook Page for more details on opening day and pricing.

Keep following along as blueberry season approaches so you’re the first to know where to go!

Want Strawberries, Too?
No problem!

25+ Places to Pick Strawberries near Charlotte, NC

20+ Places To Splash This Summer In Charlotte, North Carolina

As the weather warms up this summer and you’re looking to cool off, we have a list of Charlotte, NC splash pads for you to check out. These splash pads will keep your family cool and entertained all summer long. So pack a bag full of snacks, sunscreen, bathing suits, towels, and sunglasses, and let’s find your next favorite splash pad!

Veteran’s Park

This park has a fenced-in splash pad (best suited for younger children), as well as, a playground, tennis courts, a dog park, and a rentable indoor pavilion for events.

Address: 2136 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: The splash pad is free.
Open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm

Latta Park

This park has a fenced-in splash pad, basketball court, playground, and outdoor pavilions.

Address: 601 E Park Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203. There are restrooms, water fountains, and parking onsite.
Cost: The splash pad is free.
Open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Ray’s Splash Planet

This indoor water park features gradual entry into the water, a lazy river, water slides, water play areas, and more. There are restrooms, parking, and facilities to rent for birthday parties onsite.

Address: 215 N Sycamore St, Charlotte, NC 2820 in the Irwin Academic Center.
Cost: This splash pad is $8-$15 per person depending on your residency status in the county. See their website for more details.
Hours of operation: Monday: 4 pm-7:30 pm, Tuesday: 10 am-2 pm, Wednesday: 4 pm-7:30 pm, Thursday: 10 am-2 pm, Friday: 4 pm-7:30 pm, Saturday: 10 am-6 pm, and Sunday: 1 pm-6 pm. Hours of operation may vary so check the website before visiting.

Nevin Community Park

This park has a covered splash pad, three playgrounds, athletic fields, and picnic tables.

Address: 6000 Statesville Road, Charlotte, NC 28269. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Cordelia Park

This park has a splash pad, pool, playground, and more. You can enjoy the pool for a small fee.

Address: 600 E 24th St, Charlotte, NC 28205. There are no public restrooms and parking is limited onsite.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

First Ward Park

This urban park features a splash pad that is centered around the university buildings in Uptown Charlotte. There is also a dog park, playground, and picnic tables. There are restrooms and parking garages near the splash pad.

Address: 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

West Charlotte Park

This park features a covered splash pad, picnic tables, and a playground. There are restrooms and parking onsite.

Address: 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Clarks Creek Park

This 31-acre park features a large splash pad area, playground, and walking trails. There are restrooms and parking onsite.

Address: 5435 Hucks Road, Charlotte, NC 28269.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Clarks Creek Splash pad in Charlotte, NC

Beatty’s Ford Park

This park is on Lake Norman and includes a splash pad area, playground, amphitheater, and more. There are restrooms and parking onsite.

Address: 8335 Shipley Lane, Denver, NC 28037.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Crooked Creek Park

This park in Indian Trail features a splash pad, playground, picnic tables, and more. There are restrooms and parking onsite.

Address: 5900 Oakwood Lane Indian Trail, NC 28079.
Cost: Splash pad is free but groups of 15+ need to make a reservation.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm. They are closed every Tuesday for maintenance.

Dan Nicholas Park

This large nature park in Rowan County features a splash pad, barnyard, carousel, gem mine, mini golf, and more. Restrooms are available at the park. Parking is onsite.

Address: 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Cost: Splash pad is free but additional attraction prices may vary.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Pineville Lake Park

This park in Pineville, North Carolina features a large splash pad and three playgrounds. There are restrooms and public parking onsite.

Address: 909 Lakeview Drive, Pineville, NC 28134.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: May 29th through Labor Day. Mon-Wed-Fri: 10 am-7 pm, Tue-Thu: 12 pm-7 pm, Saturday: 10 am-6 pm, Sunday: 1 pm-6 pm.

Waverly Shopping Center Splash Pad

This shopping center features a splash pad for kids to cool off after you enjoy a day of shopping. There are restrooms and parking onsite.

Address: Providence Road & Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: Opens May 24th, 2024 from 11 am to 4 pm every day

Birkdale Village

This community in Huntersville, North Carolina is home to many events, restaurants, shopping, and a splash pad during the warmer months.

Address: 8712 Lindholm Drive, Ste. 202, Huntersville, NC 28078. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: Check their Facebook, Instagram, or website before visiting to see what days the splash fountain is operating.

Lake Norman Kiwanis Splashville Park

This park features a 1300-square-foot splash pad area, playground, and more.

Address: 21031 Catawba Ave: suite 104, Cornelius, NC 2803. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splash pad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Hope Park

This park in Mooresville, NC features a splash pad, playground, picnic tables, and more.

Address: 170 Joe Knox Boulevard, Mooresville, NC 28117. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splashpad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 10 am to 7 pm.

Lineberger Park

This park located in Gastonia, NC features a splash pad area, pool, playground, and more.

Address: 632 E Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia, NC 28054. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splashpad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad is open daily from Memorial Day until Labor Day from 11 am to 7 pm.

Rotary Square and Market Splash Pad

This splash pad in Concord, NC is home to a splash pad and farmer’s market.

Address: 120 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splashpad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad opens in late March and stays open until October each year.

Steele Street Park

This park is located outside of Charlotte in Fort Mill, SC, and features a splash pad, park, picnic tables, and more.

Address: 600 Steele Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Splashpad is free.
Hours of operation: The splash pad opens Memorial Day weekend and closes the second week of September. It is open seven days a week from 10 am until 8:30 pm.

Village Park

This amazing park in Kannapolis, NC features a splash pad, carousel, train ride, and more.
See our Kidding Around Review of Village Park.

Address: 700 W C Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. There are restrooms and parking onsite.
Cost: Tickets are $1.50 per person.

Hours of operation: The splash pad will only be open on weekends until Memorial Day starting on May 27th and the hours are Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday: noon to 6 pm.

Saturday, June 3rd through August 13th, the splash pad will be open daily Monday through Saturday:10 am to 7 pm and Sunday: noon to 6 pm.

August 19th through Labor Day, the splash pad will only operate on weekends and the hours are Saturday: 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday: noon to 6 pm.

The splash pad is open on Labor Day from noon to 6 pm.

Splash pad at Village Park in Kannapolis, NC

Boomer’s Splash Pad at Atrium Health Ballpark

This park includes a large splash pad, park, walking path, and more. This splash pad is free but only open to the public on non-game days.

Address: 1 Cannon Baller Way, Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081.
Cost: Splash pad is free. Check the Atrium Ballpark website for hours of operation on non-game days.

Keep checking back as we add more splash pads to the list this Spring!

Bonus: Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec Indoor Pools

Many of the indoor pools in Mecklenburg County have slides and splash areas.
Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec Pools Website

Eastway Regional Recreation Center
3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte
Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Indoor Pool
2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte
Northern Regional Recreation Center
18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius
Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
800 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte

Northern Regional Recreation Center — Northern Reginal Recreation Center

How Do They Keep Those Splashpads & Spraygrounds Running?

Check out this splash pad Charlotte, NC behind-the-scenes video we found from Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mecklenburg County, NC (@mecklenburgcounty)

What about swimming?

Find all of Charlotte’s swimming pools, lakes, swimming holes and more in our HUGE list of Places to Swim in Charlotte, NC.

Cool Off! 35+ Places to Swim & Splash: Charlotte, NC

Are you looking for places to cool off and do a little swimming? Charlotte, NC is full of places to swim and splash. So, when you’re ready to pack up the kids for a summer water adventure, whether you’re looking for lakes near Charlotte, NC with beaches, swimming pools, or indoor places to swim, this is the list you want. We piled it full of places to swim in Charlotte.

Want to tell us about our favorite summer place to swim? Head over to our Kidding Around Charlotte Community page and send us a message!

Swimming Lakes Near Charlotte, NC (+ Swimming Holes Near Charlotte, NC)

Cane Creek Park

Cane Creek Park offers swimming in summer, plus pedal boat rentals, miniature golf, kayaking, fishing, playgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking.

Address: 5213 Harkey Road,
Can Creek Park Website

Ramsey Creek Beach

Mecklenburg County’s Ramsey Creek Beach is located on Lake Norman at Ramsey Creek Park. There is a sandy beach at this park, which opens on Memorial Day each year. There is a lifeguard on duty. The park always has a place to launch boats, plus a playground, nature trails, and picnic areas.

Cost: $10-15 per car, or $3-5 per walk-in
Address: 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, NC
Ramsey Creek Beach Website

Rock Hill Lake Park

Rock Hill Lake Park offers a swimming area with a small sandy beach area. There are no lifeguards on duty. The park also has a kayak launch, fishing, trails, and restrooms.

Cost: Free
Address: 4037 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC
Rock Hill Lake Park Website

Ebeneezer Park Beach

Swim in Lake Wylie at Ebeneezer Park Beach. This 26-acre park is currently closed for renovations. We will update when they have opened!

Cost: currently closed
Address: 4490 Boatshore Road, Rock Hill, SC
Ebeneezer Park Beach Website

Windjammer Park

Tega Cay’s Windjammer Park offers swimming in Lake Wylie. There’s also playground equipment in several places in the park, picnic areas, and fishing. Restrooms and a pavilion are available in the park.

Cost: Parking permits are required to access Windjammer Park. These are free for residents, but cost $100 annually for non-residents.
Address: 8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, SC
Windjammer Park Website

Carrigan Farms

Swim in the quarry at Carrigan Farms, it’s one of the coolest spots around and we visited it! You can see our full review of Carrigan Farms for all the details. Swing into the water on a rope, enjoy the sandy beach, play some sand volleyball, have a picnic and lots more! You need to reserve a spot online! Reservations for 2024 are open now. Swimming starts in May.

Cost: Varies by timeslot- $25-35 per person
Address: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville NC
Carrigan Farms Website- Swimming

SouthTown Wake Park

Located in Rock Hill, SC, SouthTown Wake Park has wake boarding plus a big floating obstacle course. This is a great activity to tire those kids (and adults) out, as it takes a ton of energy to climb and jump over the obstacles. Kids have to be 7 years old to participate on the aqua course.

Cost: $18 for 45 minutes
Address: 255 E Rambo Rd Rock Hill, SC 29730
Kidding Around Review of SouthTown Wake Park

Get an aerial view of the aqua park in this video.

Lake Norman State Park

You can swim (and a whole lot more) at Lake Norman State Park. The park, as the name implies, is on Lake Norman where you can swim, fish, and paddle. The park also has hiking trails to enjoy, picnic areas and more.

Cost: There is no admission to enter Lake Norman State Park, however, swim passes are required to swim. They are $4 for kids ages 3-12 and $6 per person over age 12. Options for weekly and annual swim passes are available as well!
Address: 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC
Lake Norman State Park Website

Swimming Pools: Charlotte, NC

Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Swimming Pools: Indoor

Mecklenburg County maintains several aquatic centers and indoor pools.
Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec Pools Website

Eastway Regional Recreation Center
3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte

Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Indoor Pool
2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte

Northern Regional Recreation Center
18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
800 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte

Ray’s Splash Planet

This indoor waterpark is part of the Mecklenburg Parks and Rec, through a partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. It offers indoor water play with a 3 story slide, lazy river, water playground area and lap pool.

Cost: $8-$15 depending on age and resident/non-resident status
Address: 215 North Sycamore Street, Charlotte
Ray’s Splash Planet Website

Outdoor Swimming Pools near Charlotte, NC

Cordelia Pool

Cordelia Pool opens Memorial Day. It has a large pool with a waterslide and is operated by Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec.

Cost: $2
Address: 2100 North Davidson Street, Charlotte
Cordelia Pool Website

Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center

This outdoor aquatic center has a fun water slide, zero-depth entry pool, water play features, and more. Opens on Memorial Day and is operated by Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec.

Cost: $2
Address: 2014 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center Website

Lineberger Park

About 30 minutes from Charlotte, in Gastonia you’ll find Lineberger Park’s pool with waterslide and splash zone. It’s operated by the City of Gastonia. The park also has a separate free splash pad outside in addition to the pool area.

Cost: $4 per person (choice of early afternoon or late afternoon session)
Address: 632 East Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia
Lineberger Park

Erwin Center Park Pool

The city of Gastonia also operates a pool at Erwin Center Park.

Address: 913 North Pryor Street, Gastonia
Erwin Center Park

Waterparks Near Charlotte, NC

Carowinds

Our Kidding Around Review of Carowinds has lots of first-hand information on visiting Carowinds, including their 5-acre water park, Carolina Harbor. The water park includes two wave pools, slides, a lazy river, and several water playground areas.

Cost: Waterpark admission is part of the regular Carowinds ticket. See Carowinds ticket options here. They start at about $40.
Address: 14523 Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Carowinds- Carolina Harbor Website

Great Wolf Lodge

The well-known indoor waterpark Great Wolf Lodge has a location near Charlotte in Concord, NC. A stay in the lodge includes access to their indoor waterpark, or you have the option to purchase a day pass to enjoy the resort’s amenities.

Find out more about Great Wolf Lodge.

Splash Pads: Charlotte, NC

We have a huge list of 20 splash pads near Charlotte, NC. Enjoy some old-fashioned summer fun at one of these splash pads!

Coastal Beaches

Sometimes there’s just no substitute for ocean air, waves, and sand. If that’s the case, you’re in luck. Find the closest coastal beaches to Charlotte, NC in our Charlotte Beaches Guide. It has 10 awesome beach options within just a few hours from Charlotte!

Let us know where you love to go Swimming Charlotte, NC!

Want more places to swim and splash? Head to Greenville, SC for lots and lots more options including mountain beaches, pools, waterparks, splashpads, and more!!

And, we have even more options for swimming in Columbia, SC! These 30+ spots would make a great day trip from Charlotte.

Still looking for things to do? Here’s our huge guide to Things to Do in Charlotte, NC!

AMAZING Views: Hiking Up Crowders Mountain Near Charlotte, NC

For incredible views of the Charlotte, NC skyline and North Carolina mountains, nothing beats a trek up Crowders Mountain.

I always have trouble choosing between waterfalls and views when picking out my next hike but that decision comes pretty easy when choosing the trek up Crowders Mountain near Charlotte, NC because the views are incredible.

Crowders Mountain State Park Photos — Crowders Mountain Views

About Crowders Mountain

Crowders Mountain State Park is a North Carolina State Park that encompasses a little more than 5,300 acres and is located in Gaston County only 32 miles from Charlotte. There are two summits of Crowders Mountain State Park: Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain.

The mountain rises sharply from pretty flat land and is near Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park where a key Revolutionary War battle took place. The state park has hiking trails, a lake, lots of areas for rock climbing, paddling, fishing, and camping that is accessible only by backpacking.

Watch! Our Visit to Crowders Mountain State Park

Hiking Crowders Mountain Trails

There are a couple of trails you can take to get in some cardio and amazing views. Both times we visited the park, we did the approximately six-mile loop that takes you to the top of Crowders Mountain. Expect to spend at least three hours on this trail and bring enough water, especially if it’s a hot day.

I also recommend going counterclockwise when you come to the loop part. It’s certainly a decent climb but a little less strenuous than the hundreds of steps going up the other side of the mountain. If you go counterclockwise, you’ll be about 1.4 miles from the summit. The opposite direction is about 1.8 miles up. We did the entire loop so ended up going down the stairs once we reached the summit.

The climb up is honestly a lot of fun. The rocks rise so sharply from the ground that they form many great places to climb and explore. But you need to be very careful and stay close to the trail. There are warning signs everywhere – since the rocks jut up so sharply, they are basically sheer cliffs so you cannot, and should not, get anywhere near the edges.

Crowders Mountain Trails — Gotta choose one way to go

The climb isn’t easy but it’s also not like the Table Rock Trail to the summit or the Dismal Trail near Caesars Head in South Carolina. It’s doable for kids even (we saw lots of kids on the trail) and if you get tired, just take breaks.

The summit is pretty amazing. On a clear day, you can see the Charlotte skyline to the south and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north.

The other trail to the Pinnacle Summit is shorter, around four miles. I’ll be doing that trail next time. I did overhear the Ranger say at the Visitors Center that Pinnacle is the highest point at the park and has awesome views.

Crowders Mountain State Park Visitor Center

I feel like visitor centers are always overlooked at parks. I love checking them out because I always learn something new about the history or landscape of the area.

This Visitors Center at Crowders Mountain had interesting information about local birds and wildlife plus a little kids’ area for drawing and coloring. It’s next to the bathrooms so definitely take a look.

Crowders Mountain Visitors Center — Crowders Mountain State Park Visitor Center

The Lake at Crowders Mountain

While there are no boat rentals inside the park, if you have your own paddleboard or kayak, you can paddle around the manmade seven-acre lake at the park.

While you are allowed to paddle on the lake, swimming is prohibited. The entrance is at the Sparrow Springs Access road.

Visiting Crowders Mountain State Park

The park is totally free to visit. We parked at Sparrow Springs Access and Visitors Center. Due to this park being one of the closest for hiking with elevation, it’s very popular. The park opens daily at 8 am and I’d suggest getting there early, especially in the spring and fall, to be sure to get a spot on weekends. There is overflow parking available.

Dogs are allowed but they must be on a leash.

Please follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out what you pack in. Unfortunately, we saw some trash along the trail.

There are bathrooms and a station to fill your water bottle at the Visitors Center so be sure to get what you need done there before heading out on your hike!

Crowders Mountain State Park
522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Crowders Mountain State Park Website

Have More Adventures!

Here’s our HUGE Guide to Things to Do in Charlotte, NC

Pick Your Own Flower Farms: Charlotte, NC

Would you like to visit a flower farm in Charlotte, NC to pick your own flowers? If you’re looking for u-pick flowers in Charlotte, NC, you’ve come to the right list. We have flower farms in Charlotte and flower farms within an easy day trip where you can pick everything from tulips to sunflowers. You can’t beat a fully blooming flower field when it comes to beauty, and many of these farms invite you to come and enjoy the fields, pick your flowers, and even hang around for a picnic. Go enjoy a beautiful spring day in a field of flowers. Try one of these u-pick flower farms near Charlotte, NC.

Dewberry Farm: Pick Your Own Tulips & Sunflowers

Dewberry Farm is ready for its 7th annual U-pick Tulip, springtime farm events. They anticipate opening for tulip picking on March 25th, 2024. They also offer U-pick Sunflowers in the summertime. Both options are ticketed events, so you’ll need to get those u-pick tickets in advance. In 2023 tickets were $8 for adults and $5 for kids over age 2. Tulips were $1.25 each. We will update with 2024 prices when available. You can also follow the Dewberry Farm Facebook page for updates and current picking conditions.

Kernersville, NC (About 1 hour and 20 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
Spring and Summer Flowers
Dewberry Farm Website
Purchase tickets in advance

McLawland Farms: Sunflowers & Dahlias

McLawland Farms offers pick-your-own flowers in the summer by appointment. They offer sunflowers and dahlias as well as blackberries, blueberries, and figs when available. Look for summer flowers to be ready in June and July and fall flowers in October. The McLawland Farms Facebook page is a good place to check for field updates.

Charlotte, NC
Summer and Fall flowers
McLawla nd Farms Website

Aurora Flora: Pick Summer Blooms

Aurora Flora offers a quarter-acre garden of blooms you can pick yourself at their u-pick events on Saturdays which typically begin in May for the summer season. You’ll need to make a reservation before you visit to ensure the garden doesn’t get too crowded. Cut flower prices are $25 for a cup of 20-25 flowers, or $75 for a bulk bucket that holds 60-75 stems.

Mooresville, NC (about 30 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
Summer Flowers
Aurora Flora Website

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Curiosity Farm: Pick Tulips, Daffodils, Dahlias, and More

Located in Concord, NC, Curiosity Farm offers spring, summer, and fall you-pick options including tulips, anemones, daffodils in the spring, and dahlias in the summer and fall. This farm also offers cut bouquets and gardening classes at venues in the community. Follow Curiosity Farm on Facebook to see when they will begin their 2024 U-Pick Events, look for tulips, anemones, and daffodils starting in March! Prices vary by season, but in 2023 were $15-20 per jar of picked flowers in the spring.

Concord, NC (About 30 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
Spring, Summer, and Fall Flowers
Curiosity Farm Facebook

Blackberry Ridge: Cut Your Own Flowers

Blackberry Ridge offers cut flower subscriptions as well as pick-your-own events in the spring and summer. In 2023 they offered tulips, snapdragons, sunflowers, dahlias, and more. Follow Blackberry Ridge on Facebook to see when they will open their field for you-pick.

Huntersville, NC
Spring and Summer Flowers- cut your own as available
Blackberry Ridge Website

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A post shared by Blackberry Ridge Farm | Julia (@blackberry.ridge.farm)

Wise Acres Organic

In addition to you-pick berries, Wise Acres Organic Farm offers pick your own flowers by reservation. However, if you just want to pick up some pre-picked flowers (or berries) you can do that without a reservation at The Green House store beside the farm. They also carry ice cream, snacks, local items, Wise Acres flowers, and sometimes even a food truck. You really could spend a whole afternoon at this farm!

Indian Trail, NC
Wise Acres Website
Wise Acres Instagram

Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard: Spring Tulips

The apple farm you know and love also offers tulips in the spring! Pick your own spring tulips at Stepp’s Orchard. We visited this farm in 2023 and it was so gorgeous. Check the Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard Facebook page for tulip picking availability, but look for them to be open in March 2024.

Hendersonville, NC (1 hour 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
Spring tulips
Stepp’s Orchard Website

Jeter Mountain Farm: Pick Your Own Summer Blooms

Jeter Mountain Farm is an apple orchard, but they also offer u-pick zinnias in July and sunflowers in early August. That means if you time it right, you can pick your flowers, get apples, and enjoy a coffee on the farm, in one fabulous day trip. Don’t miss their fun (free) indoor play area! We love the wagon rides that bring you around the farm. The views are totally amazing as you approach the flower fields!

Hendersonville, NC (About an hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC)
Summer and Fall Season Flowers
Jeter Mountain Farm website

Thompson Family Farms

Thompson Family Farms offers cut-your-own tulips in early spring and sunflowers in summer. Follow the Thompson Family Farms Facebook page for updates. We got to experience picking flowers at Thompson Family Farm and we had such a lovely time. Here’s our review of Thompson Family Farms.

Landrum, SC (About an hour and a half from Charlotte, NC)
Spring and Summer
Thompson Family Farms website

Check out our visit to Thompson Family Farm

Find more fun things to do in Charlotte, NC.

Find more flowers!

Spend the Day: Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

Are you thinking about a visit to Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC? With a recently updated playground and a beautiful riverfront location, this park has a lot to offer families and anyone who loves the outdoors. Put a kayak in the water, enjoy the wooden bench swings on the dock, or pack a picnic, whatever you choose you can make a full afternoon of fun out of your visit to Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park.

Playground at Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

The Playground at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

The recently updated playground has a fun treehouse theme that my kids enjoyed, with lots of climbing structures and equipment for all ages. We absolutely love the solid ground cover and the ground-level equipment that make much of this playground accessible for all kids.

Playground at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

The playground is fully fenced, with a larger playground for older kids to one side, and a smaller climbing structure for younger kids on the other side. Swings take up the space in the middle.

Restrooms are conveniently located beside the playground just outside the fence and up the short path. You’ll also find a large pavilion here that can be rented out.

Playing at the playground, Riverfront Park in Belmont, NC

Picnic Spots

In addition to the large pavilion, there are two smaller picnic shelters that can be rented for your events in the park. They are spread out along the park’s sidewalk across from the playground with a view of the river through the trees.

Restrooms at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

If you don’t need a whole picnic shelter, there are several other spots where you can enjoy your picnic. Bring a blanket and spread it out on the grass beside the playground or head down to the dock and enjoy your meal from there.

View of the river at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

The Dock

The dock has both benches and wooden bench swings so there are plenty of places to sit, relax, and enjoy the view. When we visited this seemed to be one of the most popular spots in the park, and for good reason. It was quite beautiful and spacious.

If you like paddling, there is a wide dock where you can put a kayak, canoe, or even paddleboard to explore the river. Access to the Catawba River here is free.

Dock for kayaks at Kevin Loftin Park in Belmont, NC

More at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park

This park also offers a short but paved walking trail that is accessible, perfect for taking in the river views after a bit of playtime or lunch. Plus, there’s an amphitheater for public events.

The annual event, RiverFest, is hosted annually in May at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park with live music, kayaking, local vendors, food trucks, and more. In 2024, the event is scheduled for May 18th.

Want to visit another awesome park? Check out Village Park in Kannapolis, NC.

Free things to do in Charlotte, North Carolina for families.

Find lots more FREE Things to Do in Charlotte, NC in our list!

5+ Places for FREE Sledding: Charlotte, NC

Hoping for some snow for a little sledding? Charlotte, NC doesn’t get a lot of snow so if you’re tired of waiting, you can plan a totally free little day trip up to the mountains for some sledding. Really! These spots are just a couple of hours’ drive from Charlotte, and they are A LOT more likely to have snow.

Of course, if you want a “guaranteed” snow-ish experience you can visit any of the snow tubing places near Charlotte, NC. But if there’s snow in the mountains, and you come armed with a sled and a good sense of fun (and maybe a thermos of hot cocoa and some favorite snacks) you can have a great time without spending any more money than the gas it takes to chase down that snow.

Check out these free sledding hills you can visit.

Free Sledding Hill in Beech Mountain, North Carolina

About 2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC

In addition to the Beech Mountain Ski Resort, the city offers a free sledding hill behind the Brick Oven Pizzeria at 110 Bark Park Way, Beech Mountain. This new sledding hill location is considered much safer than the previous hill behind the visitor’s center. There is more parking, the hill is fenced in, and there is no longer a power pole in the middle of the run. You’ll also find a bathroom and playground, so you can stay all day.

The Sledding Hill is open seven days a week, weather permitting. And, the city will often make snow for this hill, giving you lots more opportunities for sledding even if nature isn’t being cooperative. This is the only free sledding hill we know about that makes snow.

You must have a plastic sled on this hill If you don’t have one handy, you can purchase or rent one from several of the ski shops around the mountain.
NEW: View the sledding hill live right now! Beech Mountain Sledding Hill Web Cam
You can see weather conditions before you go by checking out the live Beech Mountain webcam, and the Buckeye Lake webcam.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina Sledding

1 hour and 45 minutes from Charlotte, NC

Blowing Rock, North Carolina has several parks that offer a great opportunity for snow play!

Blowing Rock Memorial Park: This park offers open flat areas perfect for playing in the sow and building snow forts. It also has surfaces for older kids to sled down.
The Julian Price Memorial Park in Blowing Rock is also a great place for sledding.

Boone, North Carolina: Sledding Spots

2 hours from Charlotte, NC

Boone, NC sees a fair bit of snow, which means they have several parks used for winter fun. If snow is on the ground, these parks would be fun to visit for sledding. Of course Boone is a fun town for a day trip anyway, so just pack your sleds and boots and be ready for an adventure.

Check conditions before you go: Use the town of Boone’s webcam so you can check up on the snow status in real-time!

Moses H. Cone Memorial Park: Hills for sledding and even cross-country ski trails
Daniel Boone Park is a public park that offers sledding on Strawberry Hill. (Be sure to stop for a bathroom break before you head to the park because the restrooms are closed during the winter months.

Getting to some of these spots can be a challenge at times due to weather. The Blue Ridge Parkway often closes during inclement weather, making spots along this highway difficult to access.

But, this road closure can actually be really fun. When the road closes to traffic, it is open for walking, using snow shoes, and it even offers families a unique opportunity to sled right on the road. For road closure information, visit the Road Closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway page. To take a peek at what Milepost 241 on the Parkway looks like, head to the Bluffs Restaurant Webcam.

For more safety tips and info about The Blue Ridge Parkway in winter, head to the Blue Ridge Parkway Facebook page.

Brevard, North Carolina: Sledding Spots

2 1/2 hours from Charlotte, NC

Calvary Baptist Church: One reader suggested the area behind Calvary Baptist Church for the perfect sledding hill.
Pisgah National Forest: The forest offers visitors plenty of space to play in the snow and pull sleds around.

This Ski Slope Makes Learning How to Ski Affordable and Fun With Homeschool Deals and More!

Looking for an affordable place to ski with the family? KAG Contributor Lacey Keigley took her daughter to Appalachian Ski Mountain. While this review was written a few years ago, the post has been updated for the 2022-23 season.

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Lots of Winter Family Fun at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC

Are you thinking about snow tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing in Hendersonville, NC? Western North Carolina has great snow tubing and Black Bear Snow Tubing is a stellar option for families! They have a huge mountain to get your winter in high gear with a fun snow tubing trip for the whole family! We took a trip up to try out that snow-tubing mountain and it was so much fun! Now we have all the details to share so you can plan your trip!

Media tickets were provided for this review and the opinions are solely those of the author.

Snow tubing at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC

While there aren’t any places to snow tube in the Upstate, SC, there are definitely options nearby and one of them is Black Bear Snow Tubing in nearby Hendersonville, NC, just over an hour from Greenville, SC. The snow tubing family-owned operation has been in business for over seven years and they really have a good thing going there, which I’m going to tell you all about in this story.

Scenes From the Slope

Take a sneak peek at this video at Black Bear Snow Tubing.

Snow Tubing at Black Bear

The slope at Black Bear Snow Tubing is 600 feet long with an 80-foot drop and it’s pretty fast. They make their own snow (unless they get a big snowstorm, which doesn’t happen too often) and the hill is well-maintained by their attentive staff.

How it works is that when you get to Black Bear, you go to a little shed to watch a short safety video, where you learn how to get out of your tube on the run and not to start snowball fights, sign a waiver, and head inside the cozy lodge to pay. Then you get your tubes and head to the hill.

They have a pulley system to get you to the top of the hill, which works by slipping the handle of your tube on a cable that takes you, while sitting inside your tube, right up the hill to the top. Once at the top, you’ll wait for a few minutes before being situated into your group by the staff and then sliding down the hill.

On the snow tube pully at Black Bear in Hendersonville, NC — Black Bear Snow Tubing Pulley System

Why Black Bear is Different

I’ve snow tubed at many places in our area and I think Black Bear Snow Tubing is pretty fantastic. Here’s why:

You can (and should) make a reservation ahead of time, which is crucial for us in Greenville who need to travel out of state to go snow tubing. It’s quite a bummer to get to our snow tubing place and either find out that they are sold out or having to wait hours for an open slot.
The staff is attentive and efficient. They were always around watching the hill to make sure things were running smoothly and safely. When there was a slight backup at the top of the hill, they figured out how to manage to get us all down the hill and back up to keep snow tubing without interruption.
The lodge is super cozy and warm and has reasonable concessions. I got a $2 hot chocolate and it was amazing. Plus, they have food, including apple cider donuts, that is affordable and you can get warm by the wood-burning stove inside or watch on the deck if you don’t want to go tubing.
The setup takes into account smaller kids. There is playground next to the place where you wait in line to go up the hill so smaller kids can get out their energy and there is a big fire pit also near the waiting area where you can warm up.
If you forgot a hat or gloves, they have them for sale inside the lodge. I feel like us parents can relate when our kid gets out of the car to go snow tubing and forgot his or her winter hat.
The check-in is fast. This is important because you want to get on the hill and start having fun as soon as possible!
Black Bear has excellent communication. They post daily on their Facebook page about current snow conditions, which is super helpful when you’re unsure about the weather.
The snow is real. They don’t have any synthetic chemicals in the snow – it’s the real deal.

My kids, ages 11 and 8, and I had such a blast snow tubing at Black Bear Snow Tubing. We went down the hill about 10 times (maybe more, I lost count honestly) and had so much fun together. I really love places where adults can carelessly be kids again. My kids are already asking to go back. The hill was super fast and seeing my kids faces light up with joy was special. I love those moments.

Tips on How to Enjoy Snow Tubing at Black Bear

Winter being winter, it’s usually cold when you go snow tubing. I’ve found that bringing hand and foot warmers is a really good trick to keeping everyone warm and comfortable. You can get them at Wal-Mart, Amazon, or most drug stores and they stay warm for hours.

Sliding down in a tube at Black Bear Tubing

It’s also really important to make a reservation when you know you want to go snow tubing. This is especially true during school breaks and holidays. Snow tubing is an awesome family activity on a day off but a lot of people also have the same thought. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

You don’t need to wear snow bibs or snow pants. I had on fleece leggings, hiking boots, and a couple layers of tops with a heavy coat (it was really cold when we went!) and I was fine. I saw people wearing all kinds of clothes that worked for them like pants, leggings, jeans, and sweatpants. The snow wasn’t wet at all when we went but if you go on a warmer day, you may want to bring a change of pants in case they get wet.

There are port-a-potties outside the lodge to use and no bathrooms indoors.

Double-check Black Bear’s Facebook page before heading out. Snow tubing is very dependent on weather, which changes often in the mountains. They will post current conditions and if they are open or closed most days.

Ticket Prices and Policies at Black Bear Snow Tubing

Tickets are $30/hour or $40/two hours for snow tubing. Kids must be 4 years old in order to go snow tubing. You can either sign a waiver when you get to Black Bear Snow Tubing or print one out online ahead of time. Either is fine.

While Black Bear Snow Tubing does take walk-ups, it is much better to make a reservation ahead of time instead of getting there and finding out they are full. Online reservations are fantastic for this very reason so definitely make use of them.

And be sure to check Black Bear Snow Tubing’s Facebook page before heading out to double check they are open and running. Winter tubing runs mid-December through February usually depending on the weather, of course.

And if you want to tube during other times of the year, you totally can! They have warm-weather tubing in the fall.

Black Bear Snow Tubing
373 Kerr Road, Hendersonville, NC
828.685.1155

Want to spend the day in Hendersonville? We’ve got lots of ideas on what to do in this fun town!