Whats the best Whitewater Rafting in Tennessee?

[arod]

Going to be vacationing in gatlinburg thus summer and was looking at taking a whitewater rafting trip (something Ive always wanted to do).... I noticed there are quite a few so I was wondering if any of the people in that area could give me a lowdown on which rafting places will give you the best value. Looking at a half or full day trip... I would like to have the place within 2 hrs drive of gatlinburg (I see there is one located right by the city, "Rafting the Smokies") but many times there are better places outside the city etc.

This will be a mid to late august trip if that helps any.

 

[royaldank]

Rafting? I've been down the Hiawase (sp?) and it was fun. If you want to kayake, then I'd suggest you head down towards Chattanooga. About 1.5 hours from Gatlinburg is where the '96 Olympic kayak course is located (When Olympics were in ATL). Great area with lots of folks on the river and plenty of rapids to hit.

A good friend is heavy into Kayaking and goes most weekends. Not sure he knows anything about rafting. When I did the Hiawase, it was fun but I was in a large group. I believe the Ocoee (sp?) is a better and more challenging river than the Hiawase. I'd recommend the Ocoee over Hiawase.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Ocoee

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Ocoee

That's where the olympic course was. It's a nice river with some decent rapids to enjoy.

 

[NuclearNed]

Erwin, TN is roughly 2 hours from Gatlinburg, and is where I live. We have two companies here that provide trips down the Nolichucky River. To give you some idea, "Nolichucky" roughly translates from the Cherokee as "River of Death". It has a lot of really large rapids. I have gone on one trip down it several years ago, and it is extremely fun. Prepare to be gone all day.

Also, close to Gatlinburg, look up Nantahala. I don't know if it is the Nantahal river, or Nantahala Expeditions (the name of the company?) or what, but I know they provide trips. I think they are just over the state line in North Carolina.

And then there is the Ocoee river, which I think is near Chattanooga. I think it was the site of the 96 Olympic river events.

 

[arod]

Yeah I know there are a bunch on the Ocoee....

http://www.raftinginthesmokies.com/

That is the place located in gatlinburg.... but I was more looking into specific places people have used and wether or not it was good. I realize most will be fun but the place only the locals know about is who is the best value there.... and theres always that one really good value. Not necessarily price... Like maybe one company includes a lunch or longer course or something extra because they mostly have the same prices......

Also what parts of the river would be the best.... most have it divided between the olympic portion and lower and upper... I dont think I would be ready for the olympic portion because Ive only been once (theres not too much rafting in texas). I want to have good rapids but scenery between the rapis is also very nice to just relax between the fun.

 

[NuclearNed]

USA Raft - Nolichucky
Cherokee Adventures - Nolichucky

I went with Cherokee Adventures. They are a pretty nice outfit and they have a nice restaurant on their base camp - great barbecue and pizza. Their base camp is really scenic, right on the banks of the river under a massive cliff called "The Devil's Looking Glass". The only gripe I have about their facilities is that it seems at times to be a little unkempt.

Nolichucky Expeditions (USA Raft) is really nice as well. Out of the two, they have the much nicer base camp. They have tents they rent, as well as cabins, etc. Their base camp is a little more in the mountains and away from it all, so it is more peaceful and relaxing. I have heard they have some nice fishing. Also, some of my favorite trails in East Tennessee start in their back yard.

Both companies offer roughly the same trip - down the Nolichucky River through the Nolichucky Gorge of North Carolina and East Tennessee. The trips start early in the morning, when you ride a bus to the starting point in North Carolina (I'm guessing about a half hour - 45 minute ride). The gorge is simply incredible - you are literally in the middle of nowhere, and you will see few signs of civilization other than the railroad tracks that go up one side of the gorge. When I went a few years ago, lunch was part of the trip. If I recall correctly, you will go through some class 4 rapids (class 5 being the largest in the scale). It's a thrilling ride and a great day of adventure.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Ocoee

Really fun river. Any rafting establishment will probably be good.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Erwin, TN is roughly 2 hours from Gatlinburg, and is where I live. We have two companies here that provide trips down the Nolichucky River. To give you some idea, "Nolichucky" roughly translates from the Cherokee as "River of Death". It has a lot of really large rapids. I have gone on one trip down it several years ago, and it is extremely fun. Prepare to be gone all day.

Also, close to Gatlinburg, look up Nantahala. I don't know if it is the Nantahal river, or Nantahala Expeditions (the name of the company?) or what, but I know they provide trips. I think they are just over the state line in North Carolina.

And then there is the Ocoee river, which I think is near Chattanooga. I think it was the site of the 96 Olympic river events.

I've heard great things about the Nantahala although I've never experienced it myself.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I went on the Ocoee 2 years ago on the portion near Cleveland, TN. Definately fun, if it's your first time, but I thought it was pretty short.

Granted it was my first time to go WW rafting, but after I got done, I was kinda like "that's it?"

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I've heard great things about the Nantahala although I've never experienced it myself.

I spent a long weekend on its banks one winter, but not actually rafting it. The scenery there is wonderful.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I've heard great things about the Nantahala although I've never experienced it myself.

I spent a long weekend on its banks one winter, but not actually rafting it. The scenery there is wonderful.

We were actually supposed to head up there about a month ago but some stuff came up and etc. etc... but hopefully another chance will pop up some time this summer.

Worst case scenario is that I'll just end up tubing down the smoky mountains. That's always fun.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Ocoee

Yep...the Ocoee is the best around here....about 20 mins from me.

 

[GasX]

FYI - in august there is a LOT LESS run off than at any other time of the year. Spring is often the best time to go as the melting snow and frequent rain put a lot more volume into the rapids...

If you can wait until fall, try the upper and lower Gauley in West Virginia (it's a damn release so run-off is not relevant)