Things to do in Madison County this Spring
March 20, 2022
Spring is here and Madison County, North Carolina, is the place to be! Madison County is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville and has been often referred to as “Asheville’s backyard.” With different adventures around every corner, take a trip to Madison County and enjoy some of what our beautiful region has to offer.
Laurel River Trail
Lets go hiking! Just outside Marshall and Hot Springs is this very popular and easy hiking trail. The Laurel River Trail runs alongside the Laurel River (duh!) and provides incredibly scenic views.
This is an excellent hike to do with kids, as the trail is very flat and wide. The trail is lined with wild rhododendrons, so walking along the trail during peak bloom is a magical experience you won’t want to miss!
First Fridays (Mars Hill) and Third Thursdays (Marshall)
Looking for the perfect night out? Once per month, the towns of Marshall and Mars Hill have a downtown-wide celebration that’s fun for the whole family!
Come hungry and grab some grub at a local restaurant before exploring and enjoying everything these towns have to offer! Shops are open late and you’ll find music, art, activities, menu specials and even win prizes in the downtown areas. See you then!
Farmer’s Markets
Welcome back local farmers and artists! Madison County is home to several fantastic weekly farmer’s markets that are sure to have exactly what you’re looking for.
Find that perfect gift you’ve been looking for, take your home cooking to the next level with fresh ingredients or just support our local community by visiting one of our great markets.
Breweries and Music
Nothing is better than a night out having beers with some friends while listening to live music. Madison County has a number of restaurants and breweries that offer a wide selection of drinks that are perfect for making fond memories. Even better, many local joints have regularly live music performances, karaoke nights and open mics to accommodate your fun evening out.
Fishing
Anglers everywhere in Western North Carolina celebrate the return of Spring because that means fishing is back, too. Just outside of Asheville, North Carolina, there is an abundance of fishing opportunities in our beautiful mountains.
Madison County is home many hatchery-supported waters filled with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Or you can try your luck on the French Broad River for even bigger fish.
Madison County Championship Rodeo
The Rodeo returns and it’s a fun evening for the whole family! The Madison County Championship Rodeo starts in April and is held every other Saturday starting at 7:30 pm. Admission is $10 per person with kids under 5 admitted for free.
Events include wild horse riding, sheep riding, calf riding, junior bull riding, amateur bull riding, junior barrel racing, youth barrel racing, open bull riding, open barrel racing, exhibition barrel racing, team roping, and chute dogging.
