At Rafting in the Smokies, we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the thrills of whitewater rafting. However, there is no one-size-fits-all rafting trip! A family adventure with your three-year-old calls for a very different river experience than a bachelor party with your favorite outdoorsy buddies. To make sure that groups of all ages and stages can have fun on the river, we offer multiple different trips for you to choose from. Need help deciding which trip is right for you? Read on to learn more about each river adventure, plus the on-land fun we offer to round out your day on the Big Pigeon River!
Whitewater Rafting Adventures
Our passion at Rafting in the Smokies is white water. Our guides love sharing the Big Pigeon River with visitors at all stages of life, from your wide-eyed three-year-old to the seasoned rafter who’s cut his teeth on the rapids of the Colorado River. We offer two types of rafting adventures: the scenic family river float and our classic white water rafting trip. Below you’ll find the details on each of our rafting trips, along with recommendations to help you decide the type of rafting that’s best for you. River adventures run from early Spring, typically through August, wrapping up close to Labor Day. The exact timing of the rafting season is weather-dependent, meaning rafting can start as early as March and run as late as October. You can always call us for the expected season start and end dates.
Scenic Family River Float
Looking to enjoy rapids but at a calmer pace? Take a casual and laid-back trip down the river for an hour or two? Want to experience the white water, but have family members that prefer a slower pace? Need a trip that’s just right for the skill level of your four-year-old daughter? We designed the Scenic Family River Float with you in mind! Our guides will escort you down a six-mile stretch on the lower section of the Big Pigeon River.
You’ll still enjoy some thrills and splashes, courtesy of the Class I and II rapids, but you won’t have to worry about wild waves and intense paddling. Instead, you can sit back and enjoy the tranquil beauty of East Tennessee as it floats by you. Learn more about the area from our friendly and professional guides, and watch the banks to see what wildlife is out and about!
Rafts on the Scenic Family River Float can accommodate seven people plus a guide. The six-mile stretch takes approximately 2 hours, with Class I and II rapids throughout. Our only requirement for embarking on your voyage is that each adventurer is age three or older and can fit into a 56” personal floatation device.
Whitewater Rafting
Our whitewater rafting adventures feature the most excitement and the most splashes and rapids! You can expect plenty of thrills from the 12 Class III and IV rapids along the route.
The 5.5-mile trip will take you through gorgeous Tennessee scenery, as the river borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Martha Sundquist State Forest, and the Appalachian Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife and stunning plants and trees along the banks, but don’t forget to stay focused on the water…you never know when a rapid like the Razor Blade or the Lost Guide is just around the corner.
For this river rafting adventure, everyone must be at least eight years old or 70 pounds. Each person must also fit into a 56” personal floatation device. The safety of your family is our priority, so we also require helmets for everyone.
Dam releases on the Big Pigeon River occur at scheduled times on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Depending on lake levels, we may offer additional opportunities for rafting–we recommend calling ahead to see what’s available! Whether you choose a laid-back, scenic Family River Float, or a thrilling adventure on the raft, you will have a great time on the water.
Other Rafting in the Smokies Adventures
After a thrilling day on the water, you might be ready for some on-land fun…so are we! We offer ziplining, a ropes course, rock climbing, and a Family Adventure Island. Whether you’re looking to round out your whitewater adventure in style or rafting just isn’t your thing (we’re not here to judge!), you’re sure to find excitement and fun with one of our other activities.
Family Adventure Island
Relax after your rafting trip with our FREE Family Adventure Island! Our goal is to encourage families to enjoy the beauty of the Smokies like we do, so we provide a picnic area, grills, and a play area–bring some burgers and enjoy a cookout to round off a day on the water! Between a nearby nature trail and a play area at the water’s edge, there’s plenty for everyone to do on our 10-acre island. If you want to add even more fun, our ziplining, ropes challenge course, and rock climbing wall are nearby for easy access.
Ziplining Canopy Tour
Experience the Big Pigeon River and the surrounding area as you’ve never seen it before: from above! Our state-of-the-art ziplining course features six different ziplines and two skybridges. You’ll soar up to 60 feet above the ground on 2400 feet of lines! Skim above the treetops as our course takes you around Family Adventure Island and above the river.
We take your safety seriously, so you can relax as you zip over the fantastic views, confident in the full-body harness attached to the overhead belay cable with ropes and carabiners. Our ziplines are also self-braking for optimal safety and peace of mind.
Requirements for ziplining are simple. You must be able to climb the tower stairs to get to the course, you must be at least five years old, and you must weigh between 55 and 250 pounds. So climb up, strap on your harness, and join us for a thrilling glide over the scenery of the Smokies! And don’t forget your closed-toe shoes!
Ropes Challenge Course
Challenge your boundaries and discover new skills on our treetop ropes course! Our setup includes twelve different activities for four skill levels. Obstacles include balance beams, climbing nets, rope bridges, and other structures. You and your friends will start on the easiest level and continue to increasingly challenging activities that test your physical and mental fitness.
You can give up at any point, but we encourage you to push yourself past your comfort level! There’s no need to worry about safety–if you slip and fall at any point, you’ll be caught by your full body harness (required for all participants), attached to an overhead belay cable with ropes and carabiners. To participate in the ropes challenge course, you must be five or older, between 45 and 250 pounds, and have closed-toe shoes. Other than that, we invite people of all skill levels and fitness to test their abilities on our course…you may be surprised by how much you can do!
Rock Climbing Wall
Rounding out our slate of fun activities on Family Adventure Island is the rock climbing wall. It features four sides, each with a different difficulty level–there’s something for everyone! Family members as young as two can test their skills on the wall, finding the path that fits their level. We provide and require safety gear for all participants, so you can test your climbing skills and challenge yourself while enjoying peace of mind.
Participants must be between 22 and 250 pounds, wear closed-toe shoes, and we recommend making reservations for the wall, as with all our exciting island activities. Give us a call and plan to add climbing to your day of fun at Rafting in the Smokies!
From a leisurely family float on the water to an exciting ropes course high above the ground, there’s something for everyone at Rafting in the Smokies. Regardless of your group’s needs and interests, you’ll surely find a rafting experience or on-land adventure perfect for making lasting memories with friends and family. Book an experience today: we look forward to seeing you on the river!
