Mon, Wed, & Sat 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm
Buckets start at $9. Bring the kids in for some fun, and take home some cool gems! All kids get to pick a free rock, too.
*** Beside the split rail fence, between the gem mine building, and the restaurant, is the Asheville-Biltmore Gem Mine driveway that leads to a gravel parking lot behind the building.
Meet members of the Asheville Harry Potter Alliance and learn about what they do!
For ages 8 to 108
Engage your children in a summer full of activities that may include nature hikes, scavenger hunts, devotions, challenge courses, swimming, paddle boating, hayrides, arts and crafts, games, songs and much, much, more. At Camp Tekoa’s Day Camps, each day the campers will have a non-stop day of fun as they fellowship in sharing the light of Christ.
Elementary Day Camp is for ages 5 – 8 (cost is $225)
Elementary Adventure Day Camp is for ages 9 -11 (cost is $250)
Camp hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Elementary Day campers are divided, based on their age, into co-ed groups of approximately 11 campers and are led by two or more senior staff or staff assistants. Camp Tekoa provides a snack and drink, as well as drinks for lunch. Campers will have non-stop fun each day! Elementary Day Camp activities are designed specifically for this younger age group. All activities are conducted on-site and may include nature hikes, scavenger hunts, devotions, challenge course, swimming, paddle boating, hayrides, arts and crafts, games, songs, zipline and more. Like our overnight camp, all activities are centered on our mission statement of “Touching Hearts, Changing Lives, and Sharing the Light of Christ.” Keeping this emphasis helps lift up and encourage our campers in a positive way.
Each day, campers should bring a backpack and the following items: sack lunch, change of clothes, bathing suit (one-piece for girls), towel, hooded rain jacket, sunscreen, sturdy shoes and a water bottle. Please put your camper’s name on sack lunches and other belongings.
PRITCHARD PARK SUMMER SERIES IS BACK FOR 2025!
Each summer, Asheville Downtown Association hosts their Pritchard Park Summer Series “bringing fun, family friendly events to downtown’s Pritchard Park. These events are FREE and open to the public!
TUESDAYS:
Hoop & Flow Arts Jam … 6:00pm-8:00pm … FREE family friendly hoops and flow toys with a music backdrop. A easy way to get your friends and family moving and entertained in the heart of downtown.
FRIDAYS:
Asheville Drum Circle … 5:00pm-9:45pm … Since 2001, the beats and rhythms of the Asheville Drum Circle have pulled drummers, dancers and spectators into Pritchard Park for communal music enjoyment. Attendees are welcome to bring along their own drums and join in the fun.
Full-Day Weekly Camps 8:00am-5:00pm
Half-Day Weekly Camps 8:00am-12:00pm OR 1:00pm-5:00pm
Zaniac Summer Camps are the perfect combination of STEAM learning and fun. Each camp is tailored to your child’s needs. Enjoy small camp sizes. Instructors are fully-trained, thoroughly vetted high school and college honor students who love to work with kids. Camps are grouped and focused for your child’s age and grade.
Grades K-2
Little campers love Robotics, Engineering, Computer Programming, MinecraftTM, Math and Chess camps.
Grades 3-5
Popular camps include Minecraft, Advanced Robotics, GarageBand, Modding, Coding, 3D Printing, App Creation, Math and Chess.
Grades 6-8
Challenging and fun camps like 3D Game Design, Fashion Design, Python & Java Coding, Chess for Experts, Advanced Robotics and Advanced Electronics.
Randy Johnson’s new book Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalacian Icon details the story and geology of the mountain, one of the region’s most beloved landmarks. Randy founded Grandfather mountain’s trail management program in 1978 and serves on the state park’s Advisory Committee. He is also the author of the bestselling Hiking North Carolina. We can’t wait to have this author and hiking legend in our midst!
The Park at Flat Rock is a 66 acre park surrounded by a perimeter trail of approximately 1.5 miles in length. Along the trail is a scenic stream, seasonal flora and fauna, restored creek beds, and beautiful wetlands. The park also offers a newly structured play ground space!
We will meet in the parking lot by the Welcome center before departing on the perimeter trail, this trail is a gravel trail appropriate for strollers (jogging or durable wheels), carriers, and little walkers. There are several places to stop along the way with park benches if we need to take a little break. We will end at the playground where we can have a snack and let the children play.
Open Daily with Staff on Hand Starting May 23rd (Memorial Day Weekend) through Labor Day 9:00am-6:00pm – Sliding Rock is a 60 foot natural water slide in Pisgah Forest, that ends in a 8 foot deep pool of (VERY COLD! Reportedly 55°) water. There are 2 observation areas (*** one above and one below, but the lower one sustained severe damage as a result of the debris caused by Tropical Storm Fred in 2021 and has not yet been replaced ***), and it is open for viewing year-round, and sliding starting at the end of April, but only staffed during the season. Children under 7 years of age must slide with an adult (one adult per child and child must be able to swim).
The area is open 365 days a year, weather and water levels permitting, but only has restrooms available seven days a week during the season. When not staffed, there are no lifeguards, and the restrooms are closed. Sliding Rock is deemed an “enjoy at your own risk” area during the off season.
$5/Daily Fee Per Person (Fee revenue allows for expanded hours for lifeguards, and helps pay for maintenance). Cash and credit cards accepted. No entrance fee is taken during the off-season.
Coast guard approved life jackets are the only approved flotation devices allowed.
PRO TIPS:
No alcohol, and no picnicking allowed, but there are nice picnic areas down the road a bit, so pack a cooler and make a day of it.
There are stairs, so it is not stroller or wheelchair accessible beyond the upper overlook platform.
Cell service isn’t accessible past Dolly’s Ice Cream, basically from the beginning of the approach road.
Lockers are available for rent but most people seem to leave their bags at the bottom of the stairs.
Bathrooms and changing rooms are located at the top near the upper observation platform.
The water is SHOCKINGLY COLD. We cannot stress this enough. Even the strongest swimmers get disoriented by it, so we highly recommend kids wearing floatation devices until you know they can handle it (available for rent).
We recommend well fitting water shoes for everyone. You will be climbing over rocks, climbing up a waterfall, and climbing up gravely stairs to get up to the lockers and bathrooms. The water can be a little forceful as well and will knock you out of your shoes if they are loose.
This is a heavily-used recreation area; come early and try to avoid visiting during the peak hours of noon-4 pm.
Dogs are allowed AT Sliding Rock, but not ON Sliding Rock
This hike is suitable for young walkers, all terrain style strollers, and baby wearing mamas! The path is gravel and sloping. Bring snacks & water. We can gather at the gazebo when we finish.