Explore with us!
Asheville is home to some of the best hiking, paddling, climbing, biking, and backpacking on the East coast. Outdoor Programs offers a wide variety of outdoor trips, workshops, clinics and trainings for current UNC Asheville students. No experience is necessary for any of our offerings! We will provide all transportation, essential equipment and highest quality instruction. Come share your next adventure with UNC Asheville’s Outdoor Programs. Human powered adventure is at the heart of what we do! Programs may be open to faculty, staff, and rec card members based on availability and additional fees may apply. Priority enrollment will be for our students. Please email outdoorprograms.rec@unca.edu to inquire about faculty or staff enrollment on trips.
Spring 2026 Trip Calendar
Ski Shuttles
January
- 1/23/2026 – Cataloochee Ski Shuttle
- 1/25/2026 – Honors Program Cataloochee Ski Shuttle
February
- 2/6/2026 – Cataloochee Ski Shuttle
- 2/22/2026 – Cataloochee Ski Shuttle
Adventure Trips
February
- 2/8/2026 – Spelunking Sampler
- 2/28/2026 – Bouldering
March
- 3/1/2026 – Caving Exploration
- 3/29/2026 – Greenfest Rock Climbing
April
- 4/4/2026 – Whitewater Kayaking 101
- 4/18/2026 – SUP Saturday
How to Register for a Trip:
- All trip registrations close at noon on the Thursday before the program!
- Ski Shuttle registration links:
- Honors Ski Shuttle
- All other Ski Shuttles
- Once the above form is complete, please contact Campus Recreation to make payment over the phone or in person at the SRC desk, (828) 232-5650
- Save your spot on Adventure Trips!
- Adventure Trips February through April – Save your spot here, you’ll be the first to know when registration for Spring 2026 Adventure Trips opens.
- A Trip Leader will follow up with you via email to answer any questions and to share additional details about your trip! Make sure to check your email for all the necessary details and information after registering.
If you have any questions, please email outdoorprograms.rec@unca.edu
Requests for accommodations
If you have a request for accommodation or questions about the essential eligibility criteria for trips please contact outdoor programs at outdoorprograms.rec@unca.edu.
Adventure Programs for High School Students:
Check out our River Ecology & Adventure and our Geology & Adventure Summer Pre-College Programs! These programs are open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. All students live on campus to fully experience university life and the surrounding community:
River Ecology & Adventure:
Are you ready to explore the wild beauty of Southern Appalachia’s rivers while gaining invaluable knowledge about ecology and environmental stewardship? Our River Ecology & Adventure Pre-College Program offers a thrilling, hands-on learning experience that blends the excitement of outdoor adventure with the science of stream ecology. Dates: June 21-26, 2026. Visit unca.edu/precollege to learn more and register.
Geology & Adventure:
Learn about the geology of the Southern Appalachians while hiking to scenic landmarks. Practice field-based learning while rock climbing and rappelling on the beautiful granite bodies of western North Carolina. Experience the geology of caving systems while spelunking. Enjoy time outdoors, build lifelong friendships, participate in adventure experiences, and see what it is like to be a geologist for a week in our Geology & Adventure Program! Dates: June 14-19, 2026. Visit unca.edu/precollege to learn more and register.