This guide unveils Asheville’s finest playgrounds, catering to all ages and play styles. We share thrilling slides, soaring swings, imaginative structures, and exciting extras like lake access and pump tracks.
Hurricane Update: All Asheville City parks are closed following Hurricane Helene. We have marked these accordingly and will continue updating playground statuses as things change.
As parents of two little ones, we understand the magic (and necessity!) of a fantastic playground. Especially when you’re visiting a new city and need a place to unleash boundless energy.
Our crew has tested Asheville’s top playgrounds and compiled this handy guide just for you. The playgrounds highlighted have options for all ages and play styles – perfect for burning off steam and creating lasting memories.
We have detailed each playground’s equipment, parking options, and other amenities to help you plan the perfect playdate.
So, grab your snacks, pack your energy, and get ready to explore Asheville’s top playgrounds!
Map of playgrounds in Asheville
Our handy map lets you search by location, making it a breeze to find the closest playground in Asheville to your adventure. As you’ll see, we cover as far north as Weaverville and south to the Arden area.
We also share a few options beyond Asheville, including a scenic creekside park in Montreat and a must-visit destination in Hendersonville.
the best playgrounds in Asheville
And now onto our list of the top playgrounds in Asheville! We love visiting each of these playgrounds with our two kids and hope this list inspires you to do the same!
PS: it’s not ranked, we love them all!
Hurricane Update: The playground at Tempie Avery did not receive any damages from Hurricane Helene. The City of Asheville has marked all parks closed in the aftermath, though it’s also a pickup point for water and there are often people around.
The best playground in Asheville for older kids
You’ll find the playground at Tempie Avery tucked away in Montford just north of downtown Asheville. It’s part of a 17-acre recreation complex that includes an orchard and a baseball field.
The space-age playground boasts Asheville’s most thrilling slides. Kids will also love the climbing structures, the large swing, and the soft ground.
We like to grab breakfast or lunch from All Day Darling before hitting the park. They have great espresso drinks and pastries if you just need something quick.
About Tempie Avery Park
Equipment: slides, large swing, climbing structures and a soft, bouncy ground
Other features: basketball court, ping pong tables
Parking: parking on either side of the playground, but you have to use the large wooden ramp to cross over the velodrome to get to the play area
Restrooms: restrooms in the recreation center just up the hill from the playground
Nearby restaurants: All Day Darling
Hurricane Update: All Asheville City Parks are closed after Hurricane Helene. Jake Rusher did not appear to receive any damage, though.
Excellent playground in South Asheville
Jake Rusher Park in South Asheville is home to an excellent playground for all ages. It’s located in a South Asheville neighborhood near Rocky’s Hot Chicken.
The wooden play structure provides multiple levels to run, slide, climb and play. There is plenty of green space around the playground and tall trees provide shade for the play structure.
There is also a fun hide-and-seek game with various shapes (fish, sailboat, sun, etc.) carved into the wood.
Jake Rusher Park also has a toddler play area, restrooms, abundant parking and covered picnic tables.
About Jake Rusher Park
Equipment: wooden play structure, slides, 2 swings, 1 tire swing, 1 baby swing, climbing rope, toddler section, monkey bars
Other features: picnic area, hidden picture game at the play structure, full basketball court on the other side of the parking lot
Parking: ample parking
Restrooms: restrooms located in a picnic shelter
Nearby restaurants: Rocky’s Hot Chicken, 12 Bones South, Biscuit Head
Hurricane Update: Weaver Park has several downed trees in the area, but the playground equipment does not appear damaged. All City of Asheville Parks are closed in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, though there are often groups of people at Weaver Park despite this.
Perfect size playground for toddlers in Asheville
Weaver Park is a six-acre park in North Asheville featuring a walking trail, playground, creek, baseball field, basketball court and picnic shelter.
While the playground equipment isn’t quite as robust as other parks, it’s perfect for younger kids. There’s a small play structure, a few swings and a sand-digging area.
Weaver Park is a great place to walk around, especially with a dog! There’s a looped trail that’s paved, so it’s perfect for bike riding practice.
About Weaver Park
Equipment: play structure, small slides, sand area with trucks, swings
Other features: baseball field, covered picnic area, tennis court, walking path, creek, basketball court
Parking: ample parking by the playground. Additional parking off Merrimon by the tennis courts
Restrooms: restrooms on site
Nearby restaurants: Luella’s, YoLo Frozen Yogurt, Homegrown, City Bakery
Hurricane Update: Lake Julian Park is inaccessible after Hurricane Helene. Trees are covering the driveway into the park.
Playground at a lake in South Asheville
Lake Julian Park is a public lake and park located in South Asheville near Biltmore Park.
It’s an excellent destination for kids of all ages– whether they want to watch ducks, play on the playground or even hop on a paddle boat.
The playground at Lake Julian has plenty of slides, swings, and climbing structures. They also have rocking animals, a few xylophones and a spider web to climb.
Have a picnic! We recommend getting takeout from Mosaic Cafe or Luella’s on the way. Both are located in nearby Biltmore Park.
About Lake Julian Park
Equipment: slides, swings, climbing rope, excavators, rocking animals, xylophones
Other features: lake, dock, boat rental
Parking: ample parking
Restrooms: restrooms on site
Nearby restaurants: White Duck Taco Shop, Luella’s South, Mosaic Cafe, Ava’s Donuts
Hurricane Update: Carrier Park received significant flooding during Hurricane Helene. It will remain closed.
Carrier Park in West Asheville is not only home to a great (and brand new!) playground, but there’s also a sand volleyball court, basketball court, hockey area, velodrome and plenty of land to explore.
The updated playground equipment includes a large climbing structure for ages 5+, a smaller toddler area, swings (regular, infant and one ADA) and slides.
There’s a restroom on-site at the park’s entrance. One thing to know before you go is that you’ll have to cross over the velodrome to get to the main park area. There’s a series of steps as well as a ramp for this.
The playground at Carrier Park was renovated in June 2024. It reopened in August 2024.
Hurricane Update: Bent Creek Community Park received significant damage including a complete loss of the pavilion. The park organization are asking people to avoid the area and gates are closed.
Hidden gem neighborhood park & playground with a pump track
Bent Creek Community Park is located in South Asheville near the NC Arboretum. It’s tucked in the Bent Creek neighborhood and is owned by Buncombe County Parks & Rec and nonprofit Asheville Greenworks.
They have a small playground with a few swings, a climbing structure and a slide. There are also basketball courts, a mud kitchen and even a pump track.
Just beyond the pump track is a trail suitable for walking or mountain biking.
About Bent Creek Community Park
Equipment: play structure, small slide, swing
Other features: basketball court, pump track, mud kitchen
Parking: small parking lot at the entrance
Restrooms: portapotties
Nearby restaurants: Not many! Chick-fil-A is near the outlet mall on the way in from Asheville.
Lake Louise Drive | Weaverville
Park with a manmade lake and playground near Asheville
If you’re up for a nature walk in addition to a fun playground structure, head to Lake Louise Park! It’s located 15 minutes north of downtown Asheville in Weaverville, NC.
Lake Louise Park is an excellent destination for families, complete with a manmade lake and a fun playground structure.
There’s also a small waterfall with a picturesque wagon wheel. It’s located across the lake from the playground structure. You’ll need to cross Lakeshore Drive to get to it, but it’s not a large road so you shouldn’t have any issues.
About Lake Louise
Location: Lake Louise Dr | Weaverville (15 minutes from downtown Asheville)
Equipment: Slides, swings, climbing rope, climbing structures, bridge
Other features: Lake, walking trail, small waterfall, covered picnic area, picnic tables, exercise equipment, catch and release fishing allowed during daylight (one pole per person)
Parking: Several parking areas around but it can fill up on nice days (and they tow!)
Restrooms: restrooms on-site
Nearby restaurants: Downtown Weaverville is only two minutes away from the park. There you’ll find great spots like Blue Mountain Pizza and Well-Bred Bakery.
45 Jonestown Road | Woodfin
Fun playground in Woodfin with a castle + climbing web
The playground at Roy Pope Memorial Park in Woodfin is a must-visit, especially if you have toddlers to entertain. Plus, it’s only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville.
There are multiple play areas, including a shaded sandbox, the “Avery’s Little Corner” castle, swings (infant & ADA options) and climbing structures.
You’ll also find a large spiderweb-like climbing structure here that is great for older kids.
There’s also covered picnic area on the far end of the playground.
About Roy Pope Memorial Park
Equipment: Slides, swings, climbing rope, toddler section,
Other features: Covered picnic area, covered sand area, soft + bouncy ground. The covered picnic area can be rented in three-hour time blocks through the Woodfin Town Hall.
Parking: Small parking lot on the side
Restrooms: Two restrooms on-site (open spring-fall)
Nearby restaurants: High Five Coffee Shop
Robert Lake Park (Montreat, NC)
Creekside park near Black Mountain
Even though Robert Lake Park is a little way out of Asheville, it is so magical that it definitely makes the best playground list. It’s located in Montreat, NC, which is north of Black Mountain. Plan on a 30-minute drive from downtown Asheville.
The park is located next to two creeks, so there are opportunities to explore in the water, bridges to cross and two different play areas.
The playground equipment consists of tall wooden towers and bridges with a range of play equipment including a climbing wall. It’s the ultimate spot to play and explore!
Jackson Park (Hendersonville, NC)
Accessible playground in Hendersonville, NC
Shh! Don’t tell Asheville, but the coolest playground in the area might just be hiding in Hendersonville!
Jackson Park boasts a mega-structure unlike any other, complete with ADA accessibility features, ensuring inclusive fun for all ages and abilities.
Jackson Park is so much more than just a playground, though! Spread over 200 acres, this park offers a wonderland of outdoor activities including nature trails, disc golf, a dog park, athletic fields, a mountain biking skills park and several picnic areas.
Neighborhood playground in West Asheville across from a coffee shop
Augusta Barnett Park is a small park and playground in West Asheville. It’s just across from Izzy’s Coffee House– the perfect place to grab a coffee and bagel before a morning at the park!
Though the playground is pretty small, it’s a great stop if you are looking to explore somewhere new.
The equipment has a futuristic feel with a rubber floor and a fun play structure. There’s a large dip in the middle that’s equal parts scary and exhilarating for kids. I’ll be honest, it’s hard to navigate as an adult!
Playground At The Biltmore Estate
Did you know that the Biltmore Estate has a playground on the premises?
You can only access it if you have a day pass or are an annual member, though.
The playground on the Biltmore Estate is located in Antler Hill Village near a few shops and restaurants. It has a climbing structure with a slide, a few swings and even a small chicken coop to explore.
You’ll find it just next to the Estate’s farm area and a large covered picnic shelter.
Asheville Recreation PLayground
Playground next to the Western Nature Center
Speaking of playgrounds at Asheville attractions, the Western North Carolina Nature Center is also next to a playground.
You’ll find Asheville Recreation Playground just down the hill from the Nature Center parking lot. It’s a small playground, but big enough to let off some energy if needed.
There’s also a swimming pool at the park that is open seasonally.
124 Town Center Drive | Mills River
Playground near the Asheville airport
You’ll find Mills River Park just a few miles from the Asheville airport in Mills River, NC. It’s a great park for visiting the playground, playing soccer, riding bikes and walking.
The playground at Mills River Park has swings, slides, a climbing structure, a fort and a covered picnic area.
There aren’t any trees by the playground for shade, but they put up a shade canopy during the hotter months.
You’ll also find a basketball court, tennis court, soccer fields and a baseball field in addition to the walking trail to the river.
Franklin Park
Playground near downtown Brevard, NC
If you are in Brevard, NC and in need of a playground, head to Franklin Park. It’s located near downtown Brevard in a quiet neighborhood.
Your kids will feel like they’re entering a castle as they walk into the playground under the sign reading “the big play.”
You’ll find covered picnic shelters just beyond the playground, as well as a nature walk that’s the perfect length for little ones.
