Seven Ways to Beat the Summer Heat for Families

Seven Ways to Beat the Summer Heat for Families

Tuesday, 08 June 2021 17:48

Summer in the mountains is the best time of year for many families. 

With schools out for a few months, it is an opportunity to spend quality time together. There is so much to explore in western North Carolina; you couldn't possibly do it all in a single summer. 

The warm summer months are exactly the right time to see and do as much as you can. Being at a higher elevation than other parts of the state, we do get a break from the most extreme heat. However, there will be some days and weeks that you and your family will need to find some ways to beat the heat. Fortunately, there are plenty of opportunities to do that around here as well. 

Here are a few of our favorite ways for families to cool off during the summer. 

 

Seven Great Tips for Family-Friendly Ways to Beat the Heat Around Waynesville, NC

1) Go for a High Elevation Hike

It can get pretty hot in Waynesville. Despite being at over 2,500-feet of elevation, the mercury has claimed as high as 98-degrees a few times in our town. However, we are surrounded by mile-high mountains where the temperature rarely exceeds the mid-70s. Within just a few miles of town, some high elevation hikes that provide a break from the heat include:

  • Pinnacle Park in Jackson County
  • Richland Balsam Nature Loop Trail in Haywood County
  • Graveyard Fields Loop Trail in Haywood County
  • Balsam Knob in Haywood County
  • Mount Pisgah in Buncombe/Haywood County
  • Max Patch in Madison County
  • Craggy Gardens and Pinnacle in Buncombe County
  • Mount Mitchell in Yancey County

Those are just a few of the high elevation hikes you can enjoy here in western North Carolina. This is a great way to get outdoors while still beating the heat. 

2) Slide Down a Waterfall

We have one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the Southeast. While all of them are unique and fascinating, a few of them double as natural waterslides. If you want to experience a natural water slide, you need to check out Sliding Rock.

Sliding Rock: Sliding Rock is one of the most popular natural water slides in the region. There is a lifeguard on duty, as well as restrooms and changing rooms. It costs $4 per person to enter the area, but children under three are free. Life jackets and puddle jumpers are the only flotation devices allowed. From Waynesville, Sliding Rock is about 45 minutes away on Highway 276. 

3) Visit a Natural Swimming Hole

Even if you do not choose to go sliding at full speed down a waterfall, you can still benefit from our crystal clear, clean, cold water in western North Carolina as there are hundreds of swimming holes in the Appalachian Mountains. A few near us include:

  • Looking Glass Falls is just a few miles from Sliding Rock on Highway 276.
  • Schoolhouse Falls is about an hour and a half from Waynesville, near Lake Toxaway.
  • Sunburst Swimming Hole at the Sunburst Campground area is just twenty minutes from Waynesville, near Lake Logan.
  • There are a handful of shallow water pools throughout our area. Double-check to make sure entering the water is allowed, and always practice appropriate water safety. 

4) Take a Zipline Canopy Tour

A nice breeze can go a long way toward cooling you down. One of the best ways to get the wind on your face is to go for a zipline canopy tour. The closest zipline tours to Waynesville include:

  • Asheville Treetops Adventure Park in Asheville
  • Wildwater Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tour in Wesser
  • Navitat Canopy Adventures in Barnardsville

5) Ride Down the River

You may have already tried sliding down a waterfall and swimming in a natural pool, but what about floating down the river? If you want to cool off, floating down the river in a raft, canoe, kayak, or tube are all great, fun-filled ways to experience the river. Each flotation device and area offers a different experience ranging from a peaceful, relaxing ride to an exhilarating, rapid-filled adventure. 

6) Try Fly Fishing

We have some of the best trout fishing waters in the country. Some would argue our area is the Trout Fishing Capital of the world. There are few better ways to cool off, relax, and learn new skills than fly fishing. 

7) Ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Departing from charming Bryson City, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is a great way to cool off while exploring the history and beauty of the Nantahala Gorge and Fontana Dam. When your family boards the steam engine, you step back in time and gain a unique perspective of our area. 

Haywood Christian Academy in Waynesville, NC

When summer is over, kids will be returning to school. You want to make sure they are getting the most out of their educational experience. Private Christian education is a great alternative to attending traditional public schools. Haywood Christian Academy is a Christ-centered private school in Waynesville, serving students throughout Haywood County. We would love to answer your questions and give you a tool for our facility. Contact us this summer to find out more about how we can help your students achieve the success for which God created them.

Published in Haywood Christian Academy Blog
More in this category: « How To Keep the Learning Going During Summer Getting Your Students Ready for the New School Year »
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