Spend a Day on the Water in Western NC with Headwaters Outfitters, Less Than 1.5 Hours from Greenville, SC

Looking for a fun summer day trip from Greenville? We spent a fantastic summer day on the French Broad River in Rosman, NC kayaking and tubing and could not have asked for a better experience with Headwaters Outfitters. The water is crystal clear, the scenery is gorgeous, and it’s less than an hour and a half from Greenville. We’ll tell you all about the experience and why this should be on your summer bucket list.

In This Article

• About Headwaters Outfitters
• Kayaking the French Broad
• Tubing the French Broad
• Don’t Forget the Shop
• Honest Mom Review
• Tips for Your Visit
• Booking Your Adventure
• Frequently Asked Questions

About Headwaters Outfitters

Headwaters Outfitters is located in Rosman, NC, about an hour and 20 minutes from Greenville. It’s a beautiful drive and goes by quickly. They are a family-owned and operated business that runs a huge variety of fun adventures like paddling trips, fly fishing expeditions, tubing trips, and even river snorkeling.

They also have a tap room and food truck right on site so you can easily spend the day there like we did. During the summer, be sure to make reservations for whatever adventure you want to do since they do get busy.

Kayaking the French Broad

Having never kayaked down a river before, I was not sure what to expect. I thought we would be using small kayaks that the pros use but thankfully we weren’t in those! We used both tandem and single ocean kayaks that were sit on top and hard to flip. They were easy to paddle and allowed us to really enjoy the beautiful scenery.

While I have been on this river before in the Brevard area, I had not been on this part of the river. It was stunningly beautiful. The water is crystal clear and we could even see fish. It was never very deep either. We could have stood in the water almost the whole trip.

Our trip was about eight miles long and took almost three hours. There were mild rapids, which were fun, and places to get out and hang out if you wanted to. The day we went was hot so getting splashed with the cold water felt great.

While this trip is for any age, younger kids may be bored due to the length of the trip. Or you can just be sure to get out and swim, look for cool rocks, etc. Either way, it’s an absolutely beautiful stretch of the river.

Headwaters Outfitters also offers guided paddle trips and longer trips (four and seven hours) down the river. Cost is per person. The three hour trip is $50/adult ages 18+ and $45/ages 4 to 17. All trips include life jackets, paddles, kayaks, and a shuttle.

Two adults or two kids can fit in each tandem kayak or canoe. Headwaters Outfitters also offers a shuttle service if you have your own kayak or paddleboard.

Tubing the French Broad

We also did an amazing tubing adventure with Headwaters Outfitters and it was fantastic. We did the kayaking trip in the morning, got lunch, and then did the tubing trip to round out the day which was perfect.

The tubing trip is on a different part of the river than the kayaking trip, which is great because you see more of the river! This stretch takes between 1 to 2 hours depending on the water level and includes some fun rapids plus stretches of calm water.

Tubing trips start right at the confluence of two rivers at Headwaters, which start the French Broad River. I thought this was really cool because I’m a science nerd. It also just makes for super easy entry for your tubing trip since you don’t need to take a bus to get to the drop-in point.

They have different tubes to choose from. We chose the ones with the bottoms and headrest, which were very comfortable. Then we were off on the river and had a very enjoyable time.

The other cool thing was there was no one on the river. Apparently we had just missed a big group of people but it was so quiet and peaceful during our trip. It was so relaxing and I was already planning when I could come back.

It’s best to reserve online ahead of time and your tubing adventure includes your tube and life jackets. The adventure is for anyone ages 4+ and your tubing ticket includes unlimited runs from your reserved time until 4 pm. Tickets are $20/person or $15/person with a group of 10 or more. They also offer season passes with unlimited tubing.

Don’t Forget the Shop

Headwaters Outfitters has an awesome shop full of all kinds of gear and apparel. We had a little too much fun trying things on and probably desiring more than we really needed. They have hats, shirts, dresses, fly fishing gear, kayaking gear, paddles, coffee, books, sunglasses, you name it.

They also have locally-made ice cream! They told me it’s one of their bestsellers so be sure to pick up that treat after your adventure.

Rosman is a very small town and there isn’t even a grocery store nearby, much less a place like this where you can get excellent gear and quality items for outdoor adventuring. The owners have spent an inordinate amount of time curating the best items for their guests and it really shows.

Honest Mom Review

Having tubed at most of the outfitters in our area, including Western NC and Georgia, Headwaters Outfitters was one of my favorites because the river had both calm and fast spots, was so clean and pretty, and located in one of my most favorite areas of Western NC.

The kayaking portion of the day was also amazing. I love kayaking and this was a truly fun, enjoyable, and relaxing experience. The beauty of the river really made the experience exceptional. Even after Helene, the river still shines. The French Broad River literally begins at Headwaters Outfitters and is so clear and clean. This is a totally different part of the river than near Asheville. It’s a lot prettier!

Everything ran so smoothly at Headwaters as well. They had us checked in quickly, gave us the safety run down, and had us on our way within about 20 to 30 minutes of arrival.

Headwaters Outfitters offers other really cool adventures as well (like hiking with llamas, my absolute dream!) so be sure to check their website.

Tips for Your Visit

Booking Your Adventure

You can reserve kayaking, tubing, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and more directly at headwatersoutfitters.com. Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer months. The booking process is easy and straightforward, and you will receive waiver information by email so you can complete that step before you arrive.

The Rosman and Brevard area has a ton of things to do beyond the river. Between the waterfalls, the hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest, the charming downtown Brevard with its white squirrels, and attractions like the Cradle of Forestry, you could easily turn this into a full weekend rather than just a day trip. But even as a single-day outing, Headwaters Outfitters alone is more than enough reason to make the drive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Headwaters Outfitters

How far is Headwaters Outfitters from Greenville, SC?

Headwaters Outfitters is located in Rosman, NC, about an hour and 20 minutes from Greenville. It’s a beautiful drive through the mountains and goes by quickly.

What ages can kayak or tube at Headwaters Outfitters?

Both kayaking and tubing are available for ages 4 and up. All tubing participants must be able to swim. Two adults or two kids can fit in each tandem kayak or canoe.

How much does tubing cost at Headwaters Outfitters?

Tubing is $20 per person for a daily pass, which includes unlimited runs from your reserved time until 4pm. Groups of 10 or more pay $15 per person. They also offer season passes.

Do I need to make a reservation at Headwaters Outfitters?

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during summer. Those with reservations go first, and walk-in availability is not guaranteed. You can easily book online at headwatersoutfitters.com.

What should I bring to Headwaters Outfitters?

Bring water-safe shoes (no flip-flops, this is required), sunscreen, water, snacks, and a change of clothes. There is little to no shade on the river. Sign your waivers online ahead of time to save time at check-in.