Blog / Asheville, NC

Just Down the Road: 4 Favorite Local Parks Near Asheville, NC

A walkway in between some trees in an outdoor park

The incredible parks in Asheville, NC provide a variety of exciting outdoor recreational and sports activities. Take a drive in a luxurious Lincoln Navigator, Aviator, or Nautilus and spend a few hours outside experiencing all the fun in the fantastic green spaces below.

1. Azalea Park

Azalea Park at 498 Azalea Road in Asheville is part of a massive facility that includes a dog park, a pool, the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex, and the Western North Carolina Nature Center.

Explore the vast area on the walking path, fish in the river or the pretty fishing pond, and take a dip in the Recreation Park Pool. When you visit the nature center, you'll meet black bears Uno and Ursa, red wolves Oak and Gloria, and the other creatures of the Southern Appalachians.

2. French Broad River Park

Spend a serene afternoon in the beautiful French Broad River Park at 508 Riverview Drive in Asheville. Go on a leisurely stroll along the scenic paved pathways that wind all the way to Carrier Park and watch your furry friend frolic and play in the dog park. Get comfy under the gazebo for a barbecue with family and friends, or spread a blanket on the lawn in the shade of the trees to enjoy a picnic and the view over the river. 

3. Carrier Park

Carrier Park at 220 Amboy Road in Asheville has everything you need to enjoy a few hours of recreational fun in the fresh air. Walk, jog, or cycle down the paths, play basketball or volleyball, and test your skills at the lawn bowling court and outdoor roller hockey rink.

The park has sprawling lawns where you and your kids can fly kites, kick a ball, or throw a frisbee and boasts a multi-use sports field, a wetland education area, beautiful picnic spots, and observation decks with lovely views of the French Broad River. There's also a large playground for the little ones and a picnic shelter.

4. Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park

The Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park at 30 George Washington Carver Avenue in Asheville was established in 1997 and is the first public food forest in the country.

The 1.5-acre park boasts over 40 varieties of fruit and nut trees, including fig, peach, plum, apple, and mulberry trees and a range of other edible voilage. Additionally, a butterfly habitat and community garden require a dedicated team of community volunteers to maintain the space year-round.

The open green spaces around town offer plenty of exciting activities and beautiful scenery along the French Broad River for scenic picnics. While you're having fun, treat yourself even more and stop at Asheville Lincoln to take one of the new models for a test drive.

Image via Pixabay

Posted in:

Related Posts

A pizza being served on a tray

Drive on Down: 3 of the Best Pizza Places Near Asheville, NC

When you're hungry and don't feel like cooking at home, treat yourself to dinner on the town. Asheville, NC has some of the best pizza around, so when the mood hits you, look no further than the following places. more 1. Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria Not only will you get a tasty New York-style pie, but you'll be able to enjoy one of the dozens of craft beers, play some billiards, and even listen to live music. This eatery has graced the Asheville area since 1994 and continues to be a favorite among the locals. Their sourdough bread is used to create mouth-watering specialties, such as the Barley's All-American, the spicy Italian, the Greek, the Margherita, the white, or the mushroom pie. You can also build your own pie, or if your appetite is on the smaller side, you can simply order a slice. Barley's also has salads, wings, sandwiches, and calzones. The venue is located at 42 Biltmore Ave. They are open every day except for Monday. Please drink responsibly and in moderation, and do not drink and drive. Alcohol is intended for adults of legal drinking age. 2. Mellow Mushroom This establishment is known for its stone-baked pies made with Appalachian spring water. Start with an order of the spinach artichoke dip or bruschetta for your party. We also recommend a cup of the magic mushroom soup to whet the appetite. For your main meal, try the buffalo chicken, the Kosmic Karma, the Pacific Rim, the Veg Out, the Holy Shiitake, or the Great White. You can also create your meal to your specifications. And if you have dietary restrictions, they have vegan and gluten-free options. Find Mellow Mushroom at 50 Asheville St., and you can stop in here any day of the week. 3. Manicomio Dine inside this modern cafe or outside on the spacious patio and enjoy a New York-style slice or an entire pie. Try one of the house specials, like the Quattro Formaggio, the Mediterranean, the Ashevillian, or the Ashvegan. Or you can build your own and choose from a host of traditional toppings as well as premium toppings, like basil pesto, breaded eggplant, roasted red peppers, ricotta, house meatballs, sun-dried tomatoes, and house meatballs. They also serve stromboli, calzones, appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You can even bring your furry friend if you're dining outside. Manicomio's is located at 27 Biltmore Ave., and they are open Friday through Monday. Take your next trip for a good meal in your new 2023 Lincoln Aviator Reserve. Visit Asheville Lincoln today and see all the great deals we have in stock. We are conveniently located at 611 Brevard Rd. Image via Pixabay

A man fishing by a body of water

3 Great Fishing Spots in Driving Distance of Asheville, NC

Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountain Range, the city of Asheville, NC is known for its stunning natural surroundings and the many opportunities it offers to outdoor sports enthusiasts. If you like fishing and are searching for new destinations to discover in your new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, here are three excellent fishing spots you can reach in less than one hour from the city center. more 1. Lake James State Park Encompassing nearly 3,750 acres and offering public access to one of the largest artificial reservoirs in the region, Lake James State Park is a popular fishing destination and a great place to spend a day enjoying nature. Established in the late 1980s, this state park is open year-round between 7:00 am and 10:00 pm. Some of the fish species you can find in the waters of Lake James include white perch, blueback herring, spotted bass, alewife, crappie, and walleye. Although fishing is one of the most popular activities here, you should also check out the hiking and biking trails of the park, as well as its excellent camping facilities. Lake James State Park is located approximately 50 miles east of Asheville and can be reached in a little under an hour via route I-40. 2. Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park Located right across the Tennessee state line and just over 35 miles north of downtown Asheville, Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park is another scenic nature reserve where you can spend an entire weekend enjoying the outdoors, fishing with your friends, or camping under the stars. Boasting numerous mountain streams, this state park is a great spot to catch white crappie, black crappie, and native trout. Driving from the Asheville city center to Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park takes a little over 40 minutes via route I-26. With its 2,000 acres of scenic wilderness, this public recreation area is the perfect destination for a day trip and a place where you can breathe some fresh air, go hiking or mountain biking, and learn more about the region at the park's visitor center. 3. Jones Gap State Park Crisscrossed by a series of creeks and streams, Jones Gap State Park is another popular fishing destination that can be reached in a little under one hour by car from Asheville via route I-26. Covering nearly 4,000 acres, this South Carolina state park is open every day between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm. Some of the fish species you can find here include rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook. If you are searching for the perfect vehicle to go on exciting adventures and fishing trips with your friends, you've come to the right place! Pick up the phone and give us a call at Asheville Lincoln or just drop in by our dealership and one of our agents will tell you all about our latest models. Image via Pixabay

A woman hiking in the woods

3 Amazing State Parks in Driving Distance of Asheville, NC

Gorgeous Asheville, NC is surrounded by mountains, stunning nature, and some of the best state parks in the state, where you can unplug and enjoy the day. These great parks are well within driving distance of Asheville, offer varied trails for every hiking level and ability, and allow you to soak in the best of this region. Your comfortable 2022 Lincoln Aviator with adaptive cruise control and a quick Wi-Fi hotspot is the ideal ride. more 1. Mount Mitchell Mount Mitchell is less than an hour from Asheville and offers tons of different hiking trails, camping, and robust facilities, so you'll never be too far away from any amenities you might need. Mount Mitchell sits at a towering 6,684 feet and offers a fantastic view of the landscape. There's also plenty of Fraser firs, wildlife, and a nearby museum where you can learn all about the park and its topography. This park is also incredibly easy to get to, with ample parking and well-marked trails. Arrive early and plan to spend the better part of the day exploring Mount Mitchell and still get back to Asheville in time for dinner. 2. Chimney Rock Chimney Rock park is about an hour away from downtown Asheville, and it's a fantastic place to go biking or hiking in the mountains. You can also fish, rock climb, or enjoy a relaxing picnic with the family. Don't worry if you forget to pack your picnic because there are snack stands and restaurants nearby, as well as shelters and pavilions to rest and relax after a long hike. This park also has a famous claim to fame, as Last of the Mohicans filmed some of its most iconic scenes in the park, and once you summit, you'll understand why the directors chose this location. If you don't want to climb to the top of the rock itself, you can take a quick elevator ride or brave the tough but rewarding trek up. 3. Lake James State Park Lake James State Park at 2785 NC Hwy. 126 is just shy of an hour east of Asheville, with winding hiking and biking trails, swimming, boating, and opportunities to find that perfect fish. You can also camp out there. With convenient shelters and pavilions, trails for all levels, and plenty of kid-appropriate activities, this park is an excellent option for your next family-friendly outing. Roam just a bit outside Asheville, and you'll find stunning parks that showcase why North Carolina is one of the most beautiful states in the country. Visit us at Asheville Lincoln and test drive one of our new or used vehicles, perfect for exploring all these parks today. Image via Pixabay