Where to Paint

Have you ever wondered, “Where are the best places to paint landscapes in and around Asheville, NC?” Well, here is our list of beautiful and convenient places to set up your easel and paint en plein air.

By the way, if you have a suggestion, please email it to art@wncpap.com

French Broad River Park

508 Riverview Dr, Asheville NC – Google Map

Public Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Shaded walking trails next to the French Broad River. Deck overlook. Dog park. Good view of the Amboy Road bridge.

Carrier Park

Amboy Rd, Asheville NC – Google Map

Public Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Miles of walking trails. Open grassy areas. Covered picnic area. Many delightful and unexpected views of the French Broad River.

Botanic Gardens Asheville

151 W.T. Weaver Blvd. Asheville – Google Map
Website – Botanical Gardens at Asheville

Public Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Shaded walking trails. Wooded groves. Reed Creek. Picturesque bridges.

Glen Bridge River Park

77 Pinners Rd, Arden NC – Google Map

Public Bathrooms: No | Good Parking: Yes

Shaded walking trails next to the French Broad River. Interesting trees over the river. Good view the river frontage road, and corn fields across the river.

Highland Lake

Note: Private Property – Permission Required
86 Lily Pad Ln, Flat Rock, NC – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Lake with boat dock, goat barn, chicken coop, greenhouses, picturesque fields

Buncombe County Sports Park

58 Apac Cir, Asheville, NC – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Large sports complex with long range mountain views.

Pack Square Park

121 College St, Asheville, NC – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes ($)

Downtown Asheville with abundant architectural subjects and colorful characters.

Mills River Park

124 Town Center Dr, Mills River NC – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Long range mountain views.

Hominy Creek Park

194 Hominy Creek Rd, Asheville – Google Map

Bathrooms: No | Good Parking: Yes

Looks across the French Broad River to the Biltmore Estate. (Tricky to get there.)

Walnut Gap Overlook

Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile Marker 396.4

Bathrooms: No | Good Parking: Yes

Spectacular long views. Blue Ridge Parkway, about 3 miles from entrance from the NC Arboretum.

Charles Owen Park

875 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Picnic tables, grills, and a 1 mile “figure-eight” walking and bird watching trail, the Swannanoa river and the two lakes.

Fletcher Park

Howard Gap Rd, Fletcher, NC – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Picnic tables, soccer fields, baseball fields, and a walking and bird watching trail, the Cane Creek, bridges.

Craggy Gardens

Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 364.1 – Google Map

Bathrooms: Yes | Good Parking: Yes

Spectacular, long range views both to the North and the South. Visitors Center. Approximately 24 miles from Asheville.

Azalea Road Dog Park

Azalea Road, East Asheville – Google Map

Bathrooms: ? | Good Parking: ?

Good views, Lake.

Guests Welcome!

PLEASE NOTE: You do not have to be a WNCPAP member to attend our any of our paint-outs. All you need to do is show up ready to paint! (Bring your own supplies, of course. And bring a friend if you’d like!)

If you would like to receive notifications of our paint-outs but do not wish to become a member, please join our WNCPAP Guest Email List. (Members do not need to subscribe. They receive all paint-out notifications automatically.)

Learn more about WNCPAP Membership.

Proposed Locations:

Woodfin Riverside Park – 1510 Riverside Dr, Woodfin
Bent Creek River Park – 1592 Brevard Rd, Asheville, NC
WNC Arboretum
WNC Nature Center
DuPont State Forest
Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area
Lake Junaluska
Lake Julian – 406 Overlook Extension, Arden, NC
River Arts District – Asheville
Burnette Reservoir – Black Mountain
Beaver Lake – North Asheville*
Beaucatcher Overlook Park
Richmond Hill Disk Golf Course (Emma)
Christ School
Behind BoJangles on Airport Road
Target/Lowes Parking Lot (Arden)
Asheville Recreation Park (Swannanoa River Rd?) (69 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville?)
Orchard Lake Campground* (Saluda, NC)
Cane Creek School
Hoopers Creek (Fletcher/Gerton)
Butler Mountain/Emmas Grove (Fletcher/Fairview)
Waynesville/Canton

Biltmore Estate
(from the Biltmore Estate Policy)

“Taking photographs of the exterior of Biltmore House and grounds or sketching images of the house or estate grounds is permitted for personal use only. All commercial uses are prohibited without express written consent. Recording, filming, photography, or taping of any concert is strictly prohibited.”