2026 Guided French Broad River Paddle Trail Trip!

Collaboration Trip: Headwaters Outfitters with MountainTrue & The French Broad River Keeper

Adventure Chef: Food for Adventures

What: 3-Day Guided French Broad River Paddle Trail Trip in Transylvania County, North Carolina

When: October 2-4, 2026

Where: Headwaters Outfitters (Mile 0 > Penrose Boating
Access Area) 32 River Miles Total

Why: To show people a heck of a good time on the
French Broad Paddle Trail in Transylvania County!

Join Headwaters Outfitters, MountainTrue’s French Broad Riverkeeper team, and Food for Adventures for an unforgettable 3-day float down the French Broad in Transylvania County.

During this 32-mile trip, you’ll experience a beautiful section of river, learn about local stewardship, eat tasty food and drink local beer, camp under the stars, meet new friends, and come away with a new appreciation for this amazing place.

The French Broad is renowned throughout southern Appalachia and beyond for its cultural history, unique flora and fauna, diverse character, opportunities for paddling and fishing, and widespread suitability for multi-day camping trips, and we would love to show one section to you through the eyes of those who know it best.

Registration includes boats (if you need), meals, drinks (including local beer!), campsites, shuttle, and a variety of entertainment. Guests will need to bring their own personal items and camping gear.

Camping gear and personal items will be transported directly to each campsite, so you’ll only need to paddle with what you want to have while on the water.

See details for this trip below, and feel free to reach out with any questions. Email: danielle@headwatersoutfitters.com

Learn more about the river here, and see details on this trip’s itinerary, menu, and packing list, below.

Registration Cost: (Per Person)

• Bring your own boat: $530 Per Person
• Rent a boat from Headwaters Outfitters: $680 Per Person (Single Sit-on-Top Kayaks, Tandem Sit-on-Top Kayaks, and Tandem Canoes available to rent)

*If paying with credit card a 2.6% credit card fee applies, along with the online platform booking fee. If you would like to avoid the online booking fee, please give us a call at 828-877-3106 to pay over the phone. To avoid all fees, you can pay with cash or check.

Registration Link Here: 2026 Guided French Broad River Paddle Trail Trip

Itinerary:

October 2nd: Headwaters Outfitters > Hannah Ford Campground (9 miles)

• Meet at Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman at 10:00 AM, shuttle cars to the long-term parking area.
• Make introductions, go over itinerary, pack gear.
• Eat lunch at Headwaters Outfitters, short presentations about Headwaters Outfitters and MountainTrue.
• Paddle to Hannah Ford Campground, wiffle ball, catered dinner at camp, campfire, stargazing with Bernie.

October 3rd: Hannah Ford Campground > Pisgah Riverbend Campground (16.5 miles)

• Catered breakfast at camp, paddle to Hap Simpson Park, catered/packed lunch at Hap Simpson Park, paddle to Pisgah Riverbend Campground, yard games, catered dinner at camp, campfire. 

October 4th: Pisgah Riverbend Campground > Penrose Boating Access Area (6.5 miles)

• Catered breakfast at camp, paddle to Poplar Bend Campsite and tour site, paddle to Penrose and take out, shuttle back to Headwaters Outfitters, unpack, depart.

 

Meals (catered by Food For Adventures): 

Day 1:

Lunch

• Venison/Beef Tacos (VG option, Veggie Tacos)
• Homemade Salsa/Cheese dip
• Stewed Veggies
• Corn/Flour Tortillas, Chips, & Fixing’s

Dinner

• Grilled chicken with basil-pesto pasta (Veggie option Lemon/Basil Pesto Pasta)
• Garlic bread
• Veggie side
• Basecamp Strawberry Sweet Biscuits n Cream

Day 2:

Breakfast

• Fresh Scrambled Eggs
• Seasoned Home fries
• Bacon or sausage (Veggie Sausage Available)
• Fresh fruit
• Coffee, Water, Herbal Tea

Lunch

• Homemade Chicken Salad Wraps (VG option; Zesty Black Bean/Avocado Wrap
• Chips & Fruit
• Homemade Butterfingers (our original recipe)

 Dinner

• Fresh Salad w/ toppings & Blueberry Balsamic Dressing
• Venison/Beef Burgers (VG option; Homemade Black eye Pea Burgers)
• Grilled Asparagus
• Dutch Oven Maple/Pecan Bread Pudding

Day 3:

Breakfast

• Breakfast Sausage Balls and Cheesy Garlic Grits (VG Sausage balls option)
• Toast, Jam, Butter
• Fruit
• Coffee, Water, Herbal Tea

 

Packing List:

Paddle/Camp Clothing

• 1 pair of polypro or wool bottoms/top

• 2 t-shirts (synthetic)

• 2 shorts (synthetic)

• 1 pair of lightweight, nylon / polyester pants (bug pants)

• 1 long sleeve cotton / polyester shirt (bug shirt)

• 2 pairs of socks (synthetic or wool)

• 1 hat (baseball, sun, visor)

• 1 swimsuits

• 1 bandanas

Outerwear

• 1 wind and rain jacket (waterproof, Gore-Tex)

• 1 pair of wind and rain pants (waterproof-breathable, Gore-Tex)

• 1 warm hat

• 1 pair of sport sandals or wetsuit booties (no flip-flops on the river)

Sleeping Gear

• Sleeping bag (lightweight)

• Sleeping pad

• Tent

Additional Equipment

• Whistle

• Towel

• Headlamp / flashlight and extra batteries

• 2 heavy duty plastic bags, gallon size

• Insulated mug

• Lighter

• Toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste, eye care, etc.)

• 2 sets of any medications you may need (one for your person and one to

• keep in van)

• Sunglasses and keeper cord

• Lip protection

• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or stronger)

• Bug repellent

• 1-2 water bottles (1-2 liters)

Optional

• Dry-bag for private, daily gear

• Crazy creek / camp chair (strongly recommended)

• Fishing rod and tackle

• Book

• Extra cash

• Pocket knife / multi-tool

• Earplugs