What is there to do in the Green River Gorge in nearby Saluda, NC? A lot of adventures! Think hiking to swimming holes, paddling the Green River, and rappelling down waterfalls. You can do it all with Green River Adventures, less than an hour from Greenville, SC.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie or just want to explore new places in the outdoors that are less than an hour from Greenville, an adventure with Green River Adventures should be on your list. They know the Gorge very well and will take you to all the best spots!
About Green River Adventures
Green River Adventures has been in business for 20 years and take both safety and fun equally seriously. Their guides are well-trained, their equipment is top-notch, and their playground in the Green River Gorge is more than any fun-loving person could ever hope for.
The company offers swimming hole hikes, kayaking down the Green River, rappelling off waterfalls, tubing, and ziplining. We did the swimming hole hike and it was absolutely fantastic.
Green River Adventures is located in nearby Saluda, NC, less than an hour from Greenville.
Swimming Hole Adventure
My adventure with Green River Adventures was a hike to gorgeous waterfalls and swimming holes on the Green River. It was amazing!
I love the outdoors and have been to most waterfalls within a couple hours’ driving distance yet I had never been to the ones we went to. This was absolutely thrilling since I love discovering new places. If you feel the same, read on.
Our first stop was inside the shop on Main Street in downtown Saluda (which has a very cute downtown – highly recommend) where the employee double checked we had signed our waivers and got our helmets. Like most people, I don’t hike with a helmet on so I was curious why we needed them. Our guide explained that there would be a few water crossings plus lots of jumping and swimming and he wanted to keep us as safe as possible since rescue in the gorge takes a long time.
Once we got our helmets and received our safety instructions, it was time to board the Green River Adventures bus where our guides drove us all to the trailhead.
The road to the trail is very curvy with lots of switchbacks. If you get motion sickness, you should be able to sit in the front seat.
The Hike
The hike was only three miles round trip so even an inexperienced hiker should have no problem. But half of the trail on the way in and then back out was not shaded. A hat and sunscreen would certainly be useful here. It’s an easy, flat trail with no big inclines.
The tricky part of the hike came once we reached the water. Besides the cute rat snake that greeted us, the rocks are pretty slippery so you have to pay attention to your steps. There are also times you can get in the water and swim – it feels awesome.
The trail does require some navigation of rocks and boulders along the river as well. Once you reach the waterfalls, you’ll probably have to get wet.
People wore all kinds of shoes and if you don’t have proper shoes, you can rent some from the outfitter before you get in the van for $10. I’d suggest wearing shoes that have a good grip so you’re not falling all over the place.
The Swimming Holes and Waterfalls
I had never seen these waterfalls before that we hiked to and wow, was I missing out! The big swimming holes, beautiful waterfalls, and great jumping spots were ideal for the perfect adventure.
There are a couple places to jump into the waterfall and swimming hole and our guide told us exactly where to go. I am scared of jumping from heights so I didn’t do any of the jumps but my daughter did and she loved it.
The water was cold but it was a hot day so it felt great. There was also a smaller waterfall that you could stand under and enjoy a head massage. I was all over that one.
We were able to hang out at the waterfalls for a while, which was nice. Our guide even carried granola bars for us, which was a nice treat. They also carried water for us. Really, you didn’t have to even carry a backpack on the hike since the guides did all the heavy lifting for you.
We boarded the van around 1:45 pm and didn’t get back to the outpost until almost 5:30 pm. It was a full afternoon of excitement.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is an important aspect of outdoor recreation and it was great that our guide informed our group of these rules that help to protect and preserve our beautiful outdoor spaces.
We’ve written on Leave No Trace before so you can read our story for a more detailed understanding but essentially, these principles are built upon the premises of recreating responsibly by removing all trash, not leaving any litter or food peels, cleaning up pet waste, giving wildlife their space, and not picking flowers or other plants.
Other Adventures
I had run into a group of people who were rappelling at Little Bradley Falls a couple of years ago and it looked so fun. I’d love to do this one day. You basically go down a waterfall on a climbing rope. I love how Green River Adventures uses all the beautiful spots in nature for the enjoyment of visitors.
The other adventures they have are ziplining, kayaking, and tubing. We were supposed to go kayaking but the water level was too low so we opted for the hike. It was a memorable and fun experience and so worth the time and effort to get there.
You can book all of these adventures online on their website.
Know Before You Go
- Shoes: it’s essential to have shoes with good grip on this hike. You can rent them for $10 if you don’t have any.
- Snacks: you’ll get a snack on the hike but bring others if you get hungry.
- Towel and change of clothes: you’ll more than likely get wet so having a towel and change of clothes back at your car is a good idea. Green River Adventures has a changing room you can use.
- Hurricane Helene recovery: the Green River Gorge was demolished by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 and the area is still in recovery. Wear shoes in the water in case of debris. Supporting local businesses is so important in the recovery of the area. We had lunch at Green River BBQ beforehand and it was delicious. It’s also within walking distance to the outpost on Main Street. There is also excellent ice cream just a two-minute walk from Green River Adventures plus shopping and dining in Saluda, which is a really cute little town.
Booking Your Adventure
Prices per person depend upon the adventure you choose. Tubing starts at $20, kayaking is $40+, waterfall rappelling is $119+, and ziplining is $129. The guided swimming hole is $49 and anyone ages 5+ can go. They do offer discounts for groups.
See individual adventures for age and other restrictions.
Green River Adventures
112 East Main Street, Saluda, NC
828-749-2800 | Facebook
Planning a Green River Adventures Trip? Here Are the Questions People Ask Most
Before booking an adventure with Green River Adventures in nearby Saluda, NC, these are the questions visitors ask most often:
- Is the Green River Adventures swimming hole hike beginner-friendly?
Yes! The guided swimming hole hike is about three miles round trip and is considered manageable for most beginners and families. - Do I need special shoes for the hike?
Definitely. The Green River Gorge has slippery rocks, river crossings, and wet terrain, so shoes with good grip are essential. Green River Adventures even offers shoe rentals if needed. - Is it safe to explore the Green River Gorge with a guide?
One reason many visitors book with Green River Adventures is because their experienced guides know the safest routes, swimming areas, and jumping spots in the Gorge, where rescue access can be difficult. - Will I actually get to swim and jump into waterfalls?
Yes! The guided adventure includes time at swimming holes and waterfalls where guests can swim, relax, and even jump from designated spots with guide supervision. - What should I bring on a Green River Adventures hike?
Visitors should bring sunscreen, water-friendly clothing, a towel, snacks, and a change of clothes since you’ll likely get wet during the experience. - What other adventures does Green River Adventures offer?
Beyond hiking, guests can also book kayaking, tubing, waterfall rappelling, and ziplining adventures throughout the Green River Gorge. - Is Green River Adventures good for families?
Yes. The swimming hole hike is available for ages 5+ and is a popular family-friendly outdoor adventure near Greenville, SC. - Why go with Green River Adventures instead of hiking alone?
Many of the Gorge’s best swimming holes and waterfalls are difficult for first-time visitors to find safely. Green River Adventures provides transportation, equipment, local expertise, and guides who handle the logistics so guests can simply enjoy the experience.
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