Visit Itinerary: Outdoor Adventures Guide to Biltmore
Written By Karina Hux
Posted 08/15/24
Updated 08/28/24
Exhibitions & Activities
Whether you’re here for the day as a Biltmore Annual Passholder, planning your FREE next-day visit, or staying overnight, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, offers plenty of outdoor adventures guaranteed to excite everyone in your group. Thrill-seekers and leisure-lovers alike will feel at home amidst the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With so much to see and do, it can be a lot to take in. Don’t worry—we’ve made a list of our favorite outdoor adventures to help inspire your next dream visit!
Thrilling Adventures
🦅 Falconry
Discover the ancient art of falconry as you learn to handle trained hawks or falcons. There’s nothing like the thrill of a raptor flying to land on your gloved hand.
🎯 Sporting Clays & Archery
Choose from a variety of sporting clay lessons (basic, advanced, and trapper program), each designed to meet you at your skill level. Lessons include instruction on proper gun mounting, stance, target engagement, and skill enhancement techniques.
For something a little calmer or for the young members of your group (ages 8+), we also offer archery lessons!
🚙 Land Rover® Experience
Take to the roads (or should we say… off-roads) on the Land Rover Experience. Customized to fit your skill and comfort level, this thrilling experience covers the basics of expedition driving. You’ll conquer steep climbs and drops, side tilts, log crossing, rock crawls, and traverse rugged and varied terrains around the estate.
Wild Encounters
🛶 River Floats
Enjoy a serene 3-mile self-guided kayak trip on the gentle French Broad River through our historic landscapes. Prefer a guided experience? Relax as our expert guide paddles your raft down the river, allowing you to unwind and admire the breathtaking beauty of the estate.
🎣 Fishing
Let our Orvis®-Endorsed instructors guide you through the basics of fly and spin fishing at the Lagoon, casting your worries aside. Consider extending your adventure with a full-day guided wade trip in the stunning streams and rivers of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
🦊 Wildlife Discovery
Take a walk on the wild side on one of our guided nature walks across our 8,000-acre estate. Engage in enlightening nature talks at the historic Horse Barn, where you’ll learn about the lives of Biltmore’s small friends like turtles, foxes, deer, and turkeys. For adventure seekers, we offer geocache challenges and children’s scavenger hunts as fun ways to explore and learn about our rich ecosystem.
Relaxing Retreats
🧘 Morning Yoga & Meditation
More than 125 years ago, George Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore as a serene escape from life’s demands. Elevate your well-being with Morning Yoga or a guided meditation session at The Inn on Biltmore Estate® to center your energy and thoughts for the day ahead.
🎨 Eco-Art
Awaken your inner artist at a Mandala Making class, where you’ll create intricate designs using materials gathered from our fields and forests. Or discover the art of crafting stunning framed floral pieces from seasonal blooms in our Flower Petal Art class.
Historical Exploration
🐴 Horseback & Carriage Rides
Explore more than 80 miles of equestrian trails with guided rides suitable for first timers and experienced riders. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through trails once frequented by the Vanderbilts, matching horses to your skill level. For those with their own horses, rental stabling and limited primitive camping is available at the Equestrian Center.
Prefer a more leisurely pace? Experience the estate’s beauty on a 30- or 60-minute carriage ride, just as George Vanderbilt’s guests did more than a century ago.
🌷 Self-Guided Garden Tour
Wandering Biltmore’s 75 acres of gardens is an excellent way to experience the genius of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted firsthand. It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit Biltmore, there is always something blooming. Even when Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, the Conservatory will wrap you in its tropical embrace as orchids, palms, and thousands more plants and flowers fill every corner.
Plan your tour of the gardens early by viewing our seasonal bloom report.
🚴♂️ Hiking & Biking
From historic gardens to woodland meadows, there are nearly 22 miles of hiking trails on the estate. Whether you prefer to take it easy or are looking for an intense workout, we’ve got just the trail for you. Get the lay of the land by checking our trail map before you embark on your adventure.
Bike rentals and guided tours are another excellent way to experience the scenery Biltmore has to offer, available at the Bike Barn for solo, tandem, and e-bikers (or bring your own!).
💭 Plan Your Dream Visit
Below are a few additional tips to help you plan your visit to Biltmore:
- Plan ahead: Don’t wait—get your admission, activities, and special overnight packages now to lock in those preferred dates and times!
- Getting around the estate: Many guests underestimate the vast size of Biltmore Estate. With miles between points of interest, we recommend allowing your party at least 30 minutes for travel and parking between estate locations. For helpful guidance on estate accessibility, please explore our Help Center.
- Dress comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers appropriate for the season and types of activities you plan to do during your visit, especially if you’re exploring the outdoors.
- Watch the weather: The weather in our region can be unpredictable, which may result in unexpected temporary closures of our trails or outdoor activities during severe weather. We appreciate your understanding!
- Make it a getaway: With so much to experience, treat yourself and your loved ones to a memorable getaway with an overnight stay on Biltmore Estate. We’re excited to offer a new exclusive Biltmore House admission benefit for overnight guests: House Length of Stay access! Book an overnight package or stay that includes Biltmore House admission to enjoy a daytime visit to Biltmore House with an audio guide at your leisure. Enjoy America’s Largest Home® often as you like during the length of your stay, no reservation necessary!
- Make the most of your experience: All Biltmore admission types include access to Antler Hill Village & Winery and our historic gardens and grounds. Explore ticket types that include access to Biltmore House, an exclusive 90-minute guided tour, Chihuly at Biltmore (now–January 5, 2025), free next-day grounds access, and more! Additional add-on experiences, such as above-listed outdoor activities, are available as well.
- Find more tips: For even more guidance on other activities offered, be sure to check our Itineraries page.
For even more helpful information on preparing for your Biltmore Estate visit, we recommend exploring our Visitor Information site section.
