Adventure Awaits on the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail

Have you heard about the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail? If your family loves enjoying the outdoors, you’ll want to check out this trail. It’s full of places where families can explore the mountain rivers in North Carolina.

You’ve probably heard of BBQ or brewery trails (mapped-out routes with curated stops for food & drink), but NC has a snorkel trail! For parents with small kids who are looking for safe places to get in a river (easy access, high water quality & safe water volume), the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail has a variety of locations to explore the underwater world in our mountain rivers. We recently visited the Mills River snorkel site and had a blast looking for crayfish, mussels & different fish species!!!

First stop, Blue Ridge Snorkle Trail Website. There is a map to find the snorkel trail locations closest to you, as well as learn about the different wildlife that are native at that particular site. Inclusion within the snorkel trail means there is parking available and that the river access is public, and restrooms and other conveniences are often available. 

You don’t need a whole lot of fancy equipment either. A mask, snorkel, and water shoes are the basics, and flippers, floaties, or a life jacket are possible extras. We’ve had the opportunity to use underwater viewers, and although they can get pricey, they offer an excellent alternative for a child who doesn’t wear a snorkel or a parent who wants to share the view. In the summer I often keep towels & dry clothes in the car, and the usual essentials – water, snacks, sun protection – will go a long way to keeping the crew happy. 

We’ve visited several sites, but the two we frequent the most are the Tuckasegee and Mills River sites. If you would like to get more involved, the local conservation organizations often host river cleanups and educational programs; the websites of Conserving Carolina, mountaintrue, and Mills River Partnership are a great place to start for those particular locations.

To get a little taste of what a visit to one of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail sites, check out this Ingles Open Road video on the Little Tennessee River at Queen Branch Preserve location!

Remember:

 Never snorkel alone
 Don’t move rocks around as they provide shelter to our native species
 Practice LNT and help keep our banks and waters clean
 Be aware that rocks are often slick, and know your limits regarding water depth & current

This article was originally published on Femme au Foyer as “Adventure Awaits on the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail“.

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