Driving Directions: French Broad Outpost

All French Broad River trips depart from our French Broad River Outpost, located between Weaverville, NC and Hot Springs, NC. The outpost is 25 miles NW of Asheville, NC, and 75 miles E of Gatlinburg, TN.

GPS: 35.842743, -82.726536

From Asheville, NC - From I-240 take Exit 4A onto US 19/23 North. Drive nine miles, then take exit 19A onto Hwy 25/70 toward Marshall, NC. After 8.5 miles, the road changes from four lanes to two. Continue another 6.5 miles and you will see the NOC buildings on the left. The parking lot entrance is at the top of the hill. Please note: Hwy 25/70 is a scenic byway and signage is limited. If you pass the red Walnut VFD building, you've gone too far.

From the North - Attention: This route requires a detour due to Wolf Creek Bridge repairs.  Please click here for all detour details, map and progress updates. Take I-26 East from Johnson City, TN. At Mars Hill, NC, take exit 11 onto Hwy 213. Follow Hwy 213 for approximately eight miles until you reach the junction with Hwy 25/70. Turn right onto 25/70 towards Hot Springs, NC. AB Tech College will be on your right. After about five miles, NOC will be on your left. The parking lot entrance is at the top of the hill. Please note: Hwy 25/70 is a scenic byway and signage is limited. If you pass the red Walnut VFD building, you've gone too far.

From the West - Take Hwy 25/70 South from Newport, TN through Hot Springs, NC. Our meeting place is on Hwy 25/70, approximately 11 miles past Hot Springs. The parking lot entrance is on the right, 0.9 miles past the Walnut, NC turn-off sign. Watch closely! The entrance can be difficult to see traveling from the west.

Please Note: We do not recommend using navigation devices or online route planning tools like Mapquest or Google Maps as these services often give indirect or confusing directions to our outposts.