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Scenic, remote, and awash with breathtaking beauty, the French Broad Section 9 (FB9) rafting adventure takes you through 5 miles of intermediate-level, class II, and class III rapids starting at Barnard River Park. Between rapids, enjoy a laid-back vibe with opportunities to stop for a refreshing dip in the river.
A lot of cleanup work has been done over the past year, and it’s been amazing to see the Asheville community come together to care for the French Broad River. There’s been a lot of positive momentum since Hurricane Helene.
We’re proud to be running trips again and can’t wait to share the beauty of the river with you this season. Come see how far the city—and the river—have come!
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The French Broad River spans 218 miles from Rosman, North Carolina, through Asheville, and toward the state of Tennessee. Section 9 of the French Broad River starts approximately 45 minutes away from Asheville near Marshall, North Carolina, and runs through the Pisgah National Forest. The majority of French Broad Section 9 flows through protected lands and is beginner-friendly. Your guide will navigate you through approximately 5 miles of Section 9, where you will raft through class II and class III difficulty levels, and you may briefly encounter class IV drops depending on the time of year, and the amount of rainfall.
Trip Highlights
Small-group rafting for a more personal experience — you won’t get lost in a massive crowd of boats
Hands-on paddling adventure with guidance and coaching tailored to your crew’s comfort level
A chance to build skills on moving water — perfect if you’re looking to step up from calm-water floats
A fun, social atmosphere — celebrate each rapid together and enjoy the energy of your guide and group
Convenient trip timing that fits easily into a half-day Asheville itinerary, leaving room to explore town afterward
As a complete white water outfitter, Asheville Adventure Company provides all the equipment you’ll need for your trip through the classic French Broad Section 9. Our equipment is white-water certified, and it includes:
Waivers
Before embarking on the FB9 adventure, all participants must sign a touchless liability waiver. You’ll receive links to the waiver with your trip confirmation. Waiver must be filled out prior to arrival.
Our French Broad Section 9 rafting trip is recommended for adults or children aged 8 and up. Everyone participating is required to wear a PFD, helmet, and footwear with a heel strap during the entire outing. All participants need to be in good health and physically ready to paddle throughout the trip for the experience.
Those under the influence will not be allowed to participate. No alcohol consumption is allowed prior to or during your rafting trip.
Transportation
Your whitewater rafting adventure will begin at the Asheville Adventure Company Outpost. From there, we’ll head to the rafting location in our shuttle vehicle. After your trip the shuttle vehicle will meet us at the take-out point, we’ll drive you back to our Outpost. You can expect the total trip time to last approximately 4 hours. Asheville Adventure Company is located in the heart of downtown Asheville and is the only company offering group transportation to and from the Gorge.
Parking
While our headquarters offers parking, it can be rather limited on weekends. Taking an Uber or Lyft to our shop lets you relax to the fullest.
Your Guide
Our rafting tours are led by highly experienced raft guides with years of experience who have undergone Swiftwater Rescue Training. Asheville Adventure Company’s guides are familiar with and have spent extensive time navigating the rivers of North Carolina. Prior to your rafting adventure, your guide will provide an intro lesson to paddling and river navigation while sharing intriguing information about the area.
Group Size
For the optimum rafting adventure, groups are limited to a maximum of 18 participants age 8 and up. As noted, we provide PFDs that have a 50lb minimum. Please call us if you have any questions about kids taking the trip.
With FB9 as one of our most in-demand guided tours, we get a slew of questions. Here are some of the most common.
