About Us

Rafting in the Smokies is the Real Deal!

smoky mountain vacations with Rafting in the Smokies

Your Adventure Experts for Smoky Mountain Vacations Since 1978

Can you come out and play? Please say yes!

Rafting in the Smokies are your adventure experts for Smoky Mountain Vacations since 1978, offering whitewater rafting, zipline, and ropes challenge course!   Locally owned and operated by Mark and Brenda Shultz who love raising their kids in the Smoky Mountains and believe that the best way to see nature is to get as close as possible. Every detail of the business reflects their philosophy of sustainable tourism. Taking care of the natural resources, the heritage of the local people and finding ways to share the outdoor experiences that you can’t find anywhere but the Smokies are the guiding principles behind every decision made at Rafting in the Smokies. That’s why we used the strongest timbers to build the zipline towers and cables instead of ropes on the skybridges. The electric car recharging stations at our Gatlinburg office and our Hartford Outpost are for your convenience and will help preserve our beautiful mountain home.

The Pigeon River offers a thrilling ride, but doesn’t require expertise. The Class III and IV rapids are perfect for a beginner and yet still challenging enough for someone who rafts every chance they can get. The river is dam controlled, with guaranteed days for rafting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

Cross over our 150 ft. suspension bridge to Family Adventure Island where you will discover our Zipline and the Ropes Challenge Course. The 10-acre island features barbeque grills, picnic tables, beanbag toss games, a nature trail and playground. Soak in as much of the natural beauty as possible!

Our staff are the finest on the river and always put your safety and best interest first. Come out and play with us – you’ll make memories for a lifetime

Why Choose Us?

  • Because if it isn’t safe for our kids, we would never open the activity to yours.
  • Because if it wasn’t okay for the future of the environment, we wouldn’t sacrifice the natural resources we have now.
  • Because if it can’t serve both the locals and visitors, then it wouldn’t be good for our home, our community and our family.
  • Because if it’s not the best value in the Smokies, our customers wouldn’t keep coming back year after year!

Choose an Adventure

Rafting in the Smokies - Upper Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Raft


Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting & Scenic Family Float

Whitewater Family Float
High Elements Ropes Challenge Course at Rafting in the Smokies

Rope


High Elements Ropes Challenge Course

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Header - Zipline Canopy Tour

Zip


Zipline Canopy Tour

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Rock Climbing Wall at Rafting in the Smokies

Rock


Rock Climbing Wall

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Picnic and Pavilion

Picnic


Pavilion

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Family Adventure Island at Rafting in the Smokies

Island


Family Adventure Island

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