Whether you have a young family with kids ready to play, enjoy scenic walks with friends, or seek solo time to meditate outdoors, the Asheville area has fantastic public parks to explore:
Carrier Park 
Highlights: One of Asheville’s best parks, offering volleyball courts, a playground, roller-hockey rink, basketball court, multi-use track, lawn bowling, sports fields, picnic shelter, river overlooks, wetland education, and a ballfield.
Location: 220 Amboy Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Hours: Currently closed for updates. Normally 8 AM – 8 PM.
Pack Square Park
Highlights: Asheville’s central gathering space since 1797, now 6.5 acres with open greens, splash pad, three water features, and Roger McGuire Green. Popular for concerts, festivals, movies, and events year-round.
Location: 80 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801
Hours: Open 24 hours year-round
Richmond Hill Park
Highlights: Features wooded trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, bike skills area, picnic shelter, and French Broad River views. The only Asheville Parks & Recreation park with natural surface hiking/biking trails accessible from city streets and bus stops.
Location: 300 Richmond Hill Dr, Asheville, NC 28806
Hours: 6 AM – 10 PM
Jean Webb Park 
Highlights: Riverfront park in the River Arts District featuring pollinator garden, picnic areas, public art, lawn space, restrooms, and water access. Steps away from RAD’s galleries and restaurants.
Location: 86 Riverside Dr, Asheville, NC 28801
Hours: 8 AM – 8 PM
Asheville Gardens + Annual Memberships
Explore Asheville’s premier garden spaces: the Asheville Botanical Gardens (500+ native plant species), the NC Arboretum (434 acres of gardens and trails), and the Biltmore Estate Gardens (8,000 acres, with annual pass benefits including year-round access, discounts, and special events like Candlelight Christmas Evenings).
Third Space, Green Space 
Parks serve as Asheville’s “third spaces”—places outside home and work where people gather, connect, and recharge. They encourage us to slow down, enjoy fresh air, and connect with community, flora, and fauna alike.