Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a special time, biologically and aesthetically speaking. With the days getting shorter and the beautiful colors becoming more vibrant, one of our most ancient aquatic animals prepares to reproduce. This is a very exciting time for observing territorial behaviors of the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus allaganiensis). Males will fight vigorously over the best breeding rocks. Like alligators they bite down on one another, rolling around on the river bottom, until one gives up and declares the other "Den Master".
Located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Oxbow River Snorkeling offers full and half day guided river snorkeling and guided hiking tours in western North Carolina. Each of our highly trained guides brings a sense of individual appeal, along with a desire to provide consistently safe, impactful, and engaging opportunities for exploration and discovery.
1/2 Day (AM or PM) River Snorkeling Tour $225 Total (1 to 3 people) $50 each additional person Maximum: 8 People OFFERED APRIL - AUGUST |
Full Day River Snorkeling Tour $320 Total (1 to 3 people) $65 each additional person Maximum: 8 People OFFERED APRIL - AUGUST |
We offer special rates for Boyscout & Girlscout Troops, Camp Groups and School Groups ***CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION*** |
GUIDED HALF DAY HIKE AM or PM $175 Total (1 to 3 people) $30 each additional person Maximum: 5-8 People |
GUIDED FULL DAY HIKE $275 Total (1 to 3 people) $40 each additional person Maximum: 5-8 People |
(270) 339-0519
About Our Unique Adventures
Join one of our freshwater biologists for an extraordinarily unique adventure as we truly break away from the mainstream to offer river snorkeling along the upper French Broad River, and within the boundaries of the Pisgah or Nantahala National Forests! We have designed several amazing tours that will leave you wondering why no one has ever offered these types of adventures before. The rivers and streams within western North Carolina offer great visibility and a very diverse biological community below the surface. Many of our rivers and streams offer steeper slopes for a better ride downstream over small waterfalls into plunge pools.
The upper French Broad River (FBR) flows just outside of National Forest boundaries, and is one of the oldest rivers in the world. Rated as a class I by the American Whitewater Association, this section offers many opportunities to observe over 30 fish species, numerous aquatic insects and other invertebrates such as the French Broad Crayfish, and of course the legendary and protected eastern hellbender salamander.
Our National Forest snorkeling tours were designed while keeping several options in mind - hiking, snorkeling, river hikes, or a combination of the three. Before you suit up in your snorkeling gear for a full day within national forest boundaries, take a walk along a forested trail to the snorkeling destination, or rock hop up stream before suiting up and floating back down. Along the way you will learn about the river environment, while encountering many species of animals, plants, and fungi. We provide the backpacks with snorkeling gear and a dry bag for towels, clothing, snacks, and lunch. We do offer half day snorkeling on national forest land as well.
If you are a land lover, our terrestrial biologists will guide you along trails to waterfalls and ridgetops, all the while hearing the natural history of the flora and fauna of this highly functioning ecosystem. Birds, mushrooms, mammals, wildflowers, trees, and reptiles are just a few of the possibilities found along the trails in this tremendous rich environment.
Perhaps you want to learn about how you can plan you own outdoor adventure? Our outdoor adventure specialists are ready to design a personal outdoor experience tailored to your needs, including packing a backpack, orienteering, Leave No Trace, paddling techniques, campsite selections, food preparation, first aid CPR, etc.
The upper French Broad River (FBR) flows just outside of National Forest boundaries, and is one of the oldest rivers in the world. Rated as a class I by the American Whitewater Association, this section offers many opportunities to observe over 30 fish species, numerous aquatic insects and other invertebrates such as the French Broad Crayfish, and of course the legendary and protected eastern hellbender salamander.
Our National Forest snorkeling tours were designed while keeping several options in mind - hiking, snorkeling, river hikes, or a combination of the three. Before you suit up in your snorkeling gear for a full day within national forest boundaries, take a walk along a forested trail to the snorkeling destination, or rock hop up stream before suiting up and floating back down. Along the way you will learn about the river environment, while encountering many species of animals, plants, and fungi. We provide the backpacks with snorkeling gear and a dry bag for towels, clothing, snacks, and lunch. We do offer half day snorkeling on national forest land as well.
If you are a land lover, our terrestrial biologists will guide you along trails to waterfalls and ridgetops, all the while hearing the natural history of the flora and fauna of this highly functioning ecosystem. Birds, mushrooms, mammals, wildflowers, trees, and reptiles are just a few of the possibilities found along the trails in this tremendous rich environment.
Perhaps you want to learn about how you can plan you own outdoor adventure? Our outdoor adventure specialists are ready to design a personal outdoor experience tailored to your needs, including packing a backpack, orienteering, Leave No Trace, paddling techniques, campsite selections, food preparation, first aid CPR, etc.
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Some of the animals you will encounter on your tour |
Some of the plants you will encounter on your tour |
Some of the mushrooms you will encounter on your tour |
A Few Of Our Friends |
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Upper French Broad River Watershed
The upper French Broad River (FBR) and several tributaries located within the Pisgah National Forest are the primary focus for our snorkeling excursions.The French Broad begins its northern journey at the confluence of the north and west forks located in Rosman, North Carolina. The headwaters of the north and west forks are all located within Pisgah National Forest (PNF). There are over 45 fish species that inhabit the upper FBR watershed just in Transylvania County alone, along with numerous other aquatic life forms, including the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus allageniensis). The upper French Broad River is classified as a Class I section with the exception of one lower Class II approximately a quarter mile downstream from the confluence.
A Class I section decribed by the American Whitewater Association (AWA) as fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy. The AWA further defines Class II as, “Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed. |
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