The Halloween train rides have all been cancelled, which is very disappointing. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If you are more experienced, an unguided trip in either rafts or inflatable kayaks will allow you to go at your own pace, with just your friends and family. If you have paddling experience, and an appetite for adventure, renting your own raft can be huge fun. . Alternatively, you may use, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Flights to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide. Prices for children range from $33-46 per child. Be sure to dress warmly even in the summer. Visit the Smoky Mountain Outdoors Reservations page and save 40% when you schedule your whitewater rafting adventure by February 28, 2015! The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Today, the Pigeon River is a major whitewater rafting destination for outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers, and families vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains. White water rafting near Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Smoky Mountains. As with the French Broad, the Nantahalacontrolled by dam release in its lower, most popular portionincludes stretches suitable for both beginner and expert river runners. Have been on the Great Smokie Railrod several times. U.S. Geological Survey. View the story version of this article here. All locations offer family-friendly rafting experiences, and you can book trips of various lengths, from a few hours to a full day with riverside lunch included. Make sure to call Smoky Mountain River Rat to schedule your family-friendly rafting adventure in the Smokies. It is 3-4 rapid river yet calm at the same time. The eight-mile river ride takes about 2.5 hours. Oconaluftee River, Western North Carolina. After crossing into Tennessee, the French Broad receives the waters of both the Pigeon River and the Nolichucky River just northwest of Newport, Tennessee. The Nantahala Outdoor Center is perfect for families, church groups, Scout programs and all outdoor enthusiasts. Subscribeto ournewsletterand we will instantly deliver the best area discounts to your inbox. Located deep in Western North Carolinas Pisgah National Forest, the French Broad features warm water, scenic mountain views, and plenty of fun Class II and III rapids. Make sure to call. Bryson City is on the Appalachian Trail and thus has some fantastic hiking. One of the great tributaries of the French Broad, draining into it out of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Pigeon is another super-popular whitewater drainage with plenty of crowd-pleasing variety. Pigeon River - Hartford, TN. While many stretches of the river are used for tubing, swimming, and other outdoor activities, there is an opportunity for whitewater rafting and kayaking. FS Rd. Please plan your trip accordingly. The free-flowing Little Tennessee River is a tributary of the Tennessee River that flows through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Went to Bryson Sept of 2020 While the river drains into portions of three national forests, it also provides the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If youre a confident paddler and want to take on the Nantahala in a smaller boat, the inflatable kayak or ducky trip is for you. We were treated Very rudely by the staff and made to feel unwelcome. We went with a company call Big Creek Expeditions and they have the most experienced guide staff on the Pigeon River. Guests who take a ride on the Smoky Mountain Railroad will get complimentary admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. Outfitters around the river offer trips to riders as young as 4-5 years old. We asked what happened and were told they ran out of time. View the current schedule on their website. But the bigg class IVs of the upper are more demanding than the middle section. The Nantahala River. Call us toll-free at 800-330-1999. Join us in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina on one of Americas favorite white water playgrounds, the Nantahala River. Copyright 2023 Nantahala Outdoor Center, Ocoee Combo & High Adventure 13+ Years of Age. When we reach the end of the line, we will invite all guests in this class to switch sides with their neighbors so that everyone will have the opportunity to take pictures from a new perspective on the opposite side of the train. This little city depends on tourism, if you all are looking for crowds, noise & flash for your entertainment then you are in the wrong city! It looks like there are a few steam excursions for this November on the schedule for the Tuckasegee excursion. The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is a 4.5 hour excursion that travels along the beautiful Nantahala River Gorge. Thanks for watching. The water at the dam is released from the bottom of Nantahala lake so it is a chilly 50 degrees year round! They have no fear. We're hitting the Pigeon on Wednesday if anyone wants to come with. It includes a one-hour layover at the Nantahala Gorge where guests can relax by the river or go sightseeing. Adults (21+) are served amealby the cars attendant. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. All excursions are round-trip and return to the Bryson City depot. Pigeon River rafting features Class III-IV rapids and dam-controlled water releases to ensure an exciting ride. Our only requirements are that guests be 8 years old or 70 pounds to take the Upper River trip, or at least 3 years old for the Lower River trip. More challenging runs, including Class IV and V rapids depending on conditions, await upstreamtoward the Nantahala Dam in the Nantahala Cascades. For inflatable kayaks we recommend you consider renting a wetsuit because youll get very wet! Time from Departure. It was very relaxing & informative. The Polar Express Christmas special event during November and December based on the classic childrens book about a magical train ride to the North Pole is one of the most popular rides that the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers. Rapids will depend on where your journey begins and ends, but most rafting trips with outfitters from North Carolina and Tennessee will range from Class II-III possibly a Class IV drop if your journey includes Frank Bells Rapid. Nantahala River rafting is North Carolina's best white water playground! For more information on whitewater rapids and your safety, visit. Theres also ziplining as well as tubing, whitewater rafting and fly fishing in the Tuckasegee River and Nantahala River. Here are some of the regions top river outfitters and the streams they serve: Experience the Best in Southern Appalachian Whitewater Rafting With an Asheville Home Base. Lots of adult beverage options. Contact the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad at (800) 872-4681 if you have special dietary needs. This was going to be something I handed down in my family Making memories with my grandchildren and still plan to do so at GSMR as long as they contact me to make this right. Wildlife flourishes, and people reconnect with nature in the narrow valley between Wesser and Andrews. My son and I did this ride in July. With 500-acres of adventure, guests can choose from family-friendly, guided whitewater rafting on mild but exciting rapids, ducky rentals, aerial and zipline activities, and mountain biking. The lunch was excellent and our car attendant was a hoot and that made the trip very enjoyable. On this Class II river, rafters and kayakers will find 20+ mild but exciting rapids over the course of 8 miles, including Nantahala Falls (Class III) just before take-out. The Nantahala Outdoor Center has a Bryson City location for the Nantahala, a Pigeon River location in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN, and a Marshall, NC location for the French Broad. We provide equipment, paddling information and shuttle to and from the river. That feeling returned watching the museums trains wind their way through the tiny tunnels. The Pigeon River is one of the most popular rivers for whitewater rafting in fact, it was ranked No. You can find more information at the Obed Visitor Center in Wartburg, TN or on the National Park Services page dedicated to experiencing the wild and scenic Obed River. However, a popular put-in is in Carter County Tennessee, just downstream of the TVA Wilbur Dam, and a popular take-out is downstream in Elizabethton, TN. The number of annual rafting customer visits to the Pigeon River increased from approximately 18,000 in 1995 to more than 160,000 in 2011, a growth rate of 750 percent! or call our reservations department at (800) 872-4681. We did the Nantahala Tour last October ( 2020) and loved it so much we doing the Moonshine tour this October 16 ( 2021 ) . Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Other privately owned campgrounds include Nantahala Tiny Homes and RV Park where you can rent tent sites, 30A or 50A hook ups, or two adorable tiny houses. If u are staying in the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Be the first to hear of new adventures & specials! Coach Class features open seating in an enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and taking photos, and are heated and have ceiling fans. In essence, whitewater rapids are classified according to the challenge they present, and are as follows: For more information on whitewater rapids and your safety, visit American Whitewater. All trips include transportation to and from the river. Arrive at our layover destination in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river or enjoy sightseeing! Depart Layover. Be sure not to miss this take-out spot, as dangerous Class V rapids at Lower Nantahala Falls begin just downstream. . Theres just something soothing about it. Let us know in the comments below. We just enjoyed a short stay in Bryson City. Its name derives from a Cherokee word roughly translating to Land of the Noonday Sun: a good description of the watersheds deep, shady, heavily forested gorges. There was a time when the Pigeon River, named after the extinct passenger pigeon, was heavily polluted by area industries. Learn About the History of White Water Rafting, 5 Reasons You Should Vacation in the Smokies, 7 Facts You Didnt Know About the History of Kayaking in Gatlinburg, Top 4 Reasons to Go White Water Rafting in Tennessee With a Group, Top 5 Reasons Why White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains is the Best Thrill Ride in Tennessee, Top 4 Trails for Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildflowers This Spring, Top 4 Reasons Why Your Family Will Love Spending Spring Break in the Smoky Mountains. For example, the all adult first class ride features a dining table in a car with climate control, large windows and a meal full service. Our guide's name was Chris and he was great with the kids. There is plenty to explore within a short drive and everything is so beautiful. Since the Nantahala River is a dam-controlled river, you can expect consistently fun water flows all season long. Tickets start at $54, which includes transportation from the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City (about 65 miles southwest of Asheville) to the starting point on the river. The Pigeon River. The Pigeon River is much more fun in my opinion and I have done both rivers. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains while traveling along the Tennessee and Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) River. We looked forward to doing this for a long time and finally did it recently and I must say I was very disappointed. Nantahala River: The busiest and most well-known whitewater rafting river is the Nantahala, a dam-controlled river with 20 class II/III rapids and scenic sections of flat water. Full of history, stories and embellishments that kept everyone amused and in a good mood. For thrill-seekers, the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River is the Southeasts premier whitewater experience and described as the #1 Thing Every Southerner Ought to do by Southern Living. Near Sevierville, Tennessee, it receives the flow of the Little Pigeon River before joining the Holston River in Knox County at the place known as Forks of the River to form the Tennessee River. The Lower Nolichucky River offers a calmer rafting experience with Class I-II rapids. Campsite List Seasons & Fees Rules & Cancellations Facility Information Not very scenic unless you enjoy trees and kudzu. While the river itself runs along the road, theres still plenty of beautiful scenery thanks to the surrounding views of the Nantahala Gorge. Approx. Nantahala River 2022 Bypass Release Dates from the Nantahala Dam: April 23 - 250 cfs - 10 am to 4 pm April 24 - 350 cfs - 10 am to 4 pm June 10 - 250 cfs - 4 pm to 7 pm July 1 - 250 cfs - 4 pm to 7 pm July 8 - 250 cfs - 4 pm to 7 pm August 5 - 250 cfs - 4 pm to 7 pm Internationally, we offer you adventure vacations in Ecuador that include white water kayaking trips, whitewater rafting, bird watching and custom EcoAdventure Trips. Due to the range of rapids that can be experienced here and a lack of experienced guides only experienced boaters should venture to the Obed River. If you haven't rafted before, I'd do the Nantahala to see how all of you react. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. The Watauga River, which runs 78.5 miles between western North Carolina and East Tennessee, offers another great opportunity to experience family-friendly, Class I & II+ whitewater rafting in the Southeast. See their website at http://www.noc.com Most of the rafting companies are fine, but I'd always select the NOC when there's a choice. It was a very long unhappy experience, never again !! It was wonderful and the kids loved it. The Nantahala National Forest lies in the mountain and valleys of southwestern North Carolina. Looking for the best activity deal? It was a beautiful day and worth every penny! Has anyone rafted on each river that can offer suggestions on which we might enjoy most and what outfitters are recommended? One of the major attractions in Bryson City is, of course, the trains. Lower Pigeon River rafting adventures are designed for thrill seekers as young as 3 years old, and children ages 3-7 can even ride for free, as long as theyre riding with another paid trip. The Pigeon River is dam-controlled and split into two segments: the Upper and the Lower Pigeon River. Its highly recommended that you book early if you wish to ride the Polar Express as it is one of the most popular events in the Smokies. North Carolina - Nantahala River, Tuckasegee River, French Broad, Cheoah River and The Charlotte Whitewater Center. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-42405992', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg area it is much closer too than driving all the way to Bryson City. We must finished the Upper Pidgeon River rafting using Smokey Mountain Rafting Companyand loved it. As did our 10 year old. My son who was really, really into trains for reasons I dont understand and I could have stayed in there for hours without ever setting foot on the bigger trains located just outside. The kids that are not afraid of the water really enjoy the rafting. Thought the ride was enjoyable and would do it again if in the area. Whether youre visiting Tennessee or the Southeast with hopes of trying whitewater rafting for the first time, or youre looking to try a new activity on your thrilling staycation in your home state, we hope that weve helped you find an easy, novice, and family-friendly river with rapids you can manage right here in Tennessee. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-42405948', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Gatlinburg area it is much closer too than driving all the way to Bryson City. It depends. in Tennessee! Splash through nearly continuous Class II-IV rapids like Lost Guide and Accelerator with expert guides at the helm. Next time well plan for time to visit more of this quaint Southern town! 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