Asheville is a great place for any outdoor enthusiast who enjoys mountain biking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, river tubing, hot air ballooning, exploring waterfalls, zip line/canopy tours, hiking, fly fishing, and more. The NC Blue Ridge Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Appalachian Trail, Pisgah National Forest, Cherokee National Forest, Chimney Rock Park, the Cradle of Forestry, and Dupont State Forest offer all kinds of outdoor adventure. Mount Mitchell State Park, with the highest peak east of the Mississippi River and located along the Blue Ridge Parkway, is only an hour away.