Notice: Some tour suppliers on this checklist could have restricted or ceased operations resulting from COVID-19. Examine along with your tour operator about availability earlier than you e-book.
For an exciting expertise when in Tennessee, contemplate a whitewater rafting journey by way of one of many state’s many rivers. Select from gentler rapids or extra adventurous waters, relying in your age and luxury stage and the realm you will be visiting. After reviewing each traveler sentiment and professional opinion, U.S. Information chosen 12 of the perfect whitewater rafting journeys so that you can contemplate in your subsequent Tennessee getaway.
Earlier than you e-book, remember that every firm imposes its personal age necessities for individuals. Moreover, know that you need to put on safe sneakers with a view to raft; naked ft and flip-flops usually are not allowed. Rapids are categorized as Class I by way of VI. Class I rapids are the tamest (assume: small waves), whereas Class VI are harmful and thought of unnavigable. Every tour will checklist what sorts of rapids you may anticipate; you doubtless will not encounter something larger than Class IV.
Rip Roaring Adventures – Higher Pigeon Journey
On this three-hour journey that features 1 1/2 hours on the water, you will navigate by way of Class III and IV rapids on the higher Pigeon River. There’s a most of seven folks per raft. Tour-goers say they’ve a good time and name guides skilled and pleasant. Tickets begin at $44 per particular person; you will pay a barely larger charge in the summertime. Journeys can be found from March by way of September, although some journeys can also be accessible in October. Through the peak season (Memorial Day by way of Labor Day), journeys depart Tuesday by way of Thursday and Saturday at a number of occasions in each the morning and the afternoon. Spring and fall departure occasions fluctuate. Rip Roaring Adventures additionally provides journeys down the decrease portion of the Pigeon River – a fantastic choice for anybody on the lookout for a gentler expertise.
Ocoee Rafting – Center Ocoee River Journey
On this 1 1/2-hour whitewater rafting tour, you will journey 5 miles down the center part of the Ocoee River, a well-liked whitewater river, by way of greater than 20 Class III and IV rapids. Tour-takers say they benefit from the journey and that guides are expert and personable. Tickets begin at $40 per particular person, and individuals should be at the least 12 years outdated. In April, Might, September and October, journeys can be found on Saturdays at totally different occasions. In June, July and August, excursions can be found Thursday by way of Monday (actual departure occasions fluctuate). T-shirts and sneakers are required. Although you will be on the water for 90 minutes, all the tour will take about three hours from check-in to checkout. Journeys depart from Ducktown, which is about 70 miles east of Chattanooga close to the border of Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina.
Rafting within the Smokies – Higher Pigeon River Whitewater Rafting Journey
Deal with Class III and IV rapids on this roughly 1 1/2-hour journey with Rafting within the Smokies. On the greater than 5-mile journey alongside the higher part of the Pigeon River, your information will lead you and 5 different individuals by way of rapids with names like After Shave, Razor Blade and Too Late. Reviewers extremely advocate this journey and say guides are skilled and prioritize security. Tickets value roughly $44 per particular person, not together with taxes and costs. Excursions run Tuesday by way of Thursday and Saturday at various occasions between 11 a.m. and three p.m., relying on the season. You should be at the least 8 years outdated to take part. Excursions depart from Hartford, roughly 30 miles east of each Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Rafting within the Smokies additionally has zip line excursions and a ropes problem course, and provides extra mellow floating journeys.
Smoky Mountain Outdoor Rafting – Decrease River Rafting
Paddle greater than 5 miles by way of the Pigeon River Gorge at a gradual tempo on this journey really useful for households with youngsters. A information accompanies you on this rafting tour, which lasts about 90 minutes. Vacationers extremely advocate this journey, saying the views are excellent and that guides are nice with kids. Costs begin at about $40 per particular person ages 3 and older. Journeys run Might by way of September, sometimes Tuesday by way of Thursday and Saturday, with a number of afternoon departure occasions. Flip-flops or naked ft usually are not allowed. This firm additionally provides journeys on the higher portion of the river, in addition to inflatable kayaking.
River Rat Tubing & Whitewater Rafting – Higher Pigeon Whitewater Rafting
Raft down the higher portion of the Pigeon River by way of Cherokee Nationwide Forest and the Nice Smoky Mountains with an professional information main the best way. Lasting roughly two hours, the journey is a 5-mile journey by way of Class III and IV rapids. Reviewers extremely advocate this tour and reward their guides. Tickets begin at $49.95 per particular person. You should be at the least 8 years outdated to take part. Journeys run Tuesday by way of Thursday and Saturday at varied occasions all through the day from 10:45 a.m. to five p.m. The exercise is seasonal, operating from Might by way of September. Journeys depart from Hartford. River Rat provides tubing, in addition to an “excessive” model of its Higher Pigeon whitewater outing.
Outside Journey Rafting – Center Ocoee
You may spend about two hours on the water, making your method by way of Class III and IV rapids on this guided rafting journey down the center Ocoee River with Outside Journey Rafting. Reviewers rave concerning the guides, who they are saying present a secure and enjoyable expertise. Along with expertly navigating the rapids, guides additionally share a little bit of details about the realm’s crops and animals, based on vacationers. Tickets value roughly $40 per particular person. Contributors should be at the least 12 years outdated. Rafting journeys can be found based on dam releases, which fluctuate based on season. The tour departs from Benton, about 45 miles east of Chattanooga. Outside Rafting Journey additionally has a Class V rapids journey in addition to tubing outings.
The Ocoee River is a well-liked alternative for rafters.Getty Photographs
Cherokee Rafting – The Full
See if you can also make your method by way of rapids with names like Double Suck and Diamond Splitter, together with some that have been part of an Olympic whitewater competitors course, on this five-hour journey. Since you will be rafting about 10 miles of the Ocoee River, you will get pleasure from a break and a picnic lunch midway by way of your journey. Tour-goers name the expertise “superb,” and say the adept guides make them really feel secure and safe. Ticket costs begin at $75 per particular person and individuals should be at the least 12 years outdated. Journeys can be found mid-Might by way of September on Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Journeys depart from the corporate’s headquarters in Ocoee, about 45 miles east of Chattanooga. The corporate additionally provides shorter journeys by way of the center and higher sections of the river.
Wildwater Rafting – Ocoee Higher & Center Combo Journey
Navigate each the higher and center sections of the Ocoee River on this whitewater rafting journey that is restricted to seven individuals. The six-hour journey travels 10 miles by way of Class III and IV rapids, together with the Olympic course. A sandwich lunch and snacks are additionally included. Tour-takers say guides are pleasant and caring and that the expertise is tons of enjoyable. Ticket costs begin at $99.95 per particular person, not together with taxes and costs, and also you should be at the least 12 years outdated to take part. Journeys run Saturdays and Sundays mid-Might by way of mid-September. Ocoee whitewater outings depart from the corporate’s Ducktown location. Wildwater additionally runs journeys on the Pigeon River.
Raft Outside Adventures – White Water Rafting Higher Pigeon River
Are you able to make it previous Razor Blade, Vegematic and Powerhouse? These are all names of Class III and IV rapids you will paddle by way of on this journey with Raft Outside Adventures. This expertise alongside the higher Pigeon River additionally contains alternatives to swim in a number of the calmer waters. Reviewers describe the river and surroundings as stunning, and applaud their guides for being each enjoyable and security aware. Tickets value roughly $50 per particular person, and individuals should be at the least 8 years outdated. Excursions can be found June by way of August on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday on the hour from 11 a.m. to five p.m. From late March by way of Might, excursions Tuesday by way of Sunday twice a day. Journeys depart from Hartford, which sits east of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The corporate additionally operates a number of different rafting journeys, together with these appropriate for learners.
Quest Expeditions – Center Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Journey
You may paddle your method down 5 miles of the center part of the Ocoee River by way of 17 totally different rapids on this four-hour guided rafting journey that runs by way of a gorge in Cherokee Nationwide Forest. Reviewers say this firm offers wonderful customer support and that guides are very skilled. Vacationers additionally say the course is nice for households. Ticket costs begin at $30 and may improve barely relying on time of 12 months and day of the week. Rafting journeys run on weekends throughout spring and fall months, in addition to Thursday by way of Monday June by way of August. Departure occasions fluctuate by season. Quest Expeditions additionally provides a rafting journey by way of the higher portion of the river, in addition to a full-day rafting journey.
Huge Creek Expeditions – Higher Pigeon Whitewater
Take pleasure in views of the Nice Smoky Mountains as you paddle by way of the Pigeon River Gorge and quite a few Class III and IV rapids alongside the higher Pigeon River on this 6-mile journey. You may spend about 1 1/2 hours rafting by way of rapids with names like Snapdragon and Powerhouse and luxuriate in some downtime for swimming, as properly. Tour-goers rave about their humorous guides and extremely advocate this journey. Tickets value roughly $45 per particular person, and individuals should be at the least 8 years outdated. The journey operates each half-hour between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from early Might by way of early September with some availability in spring and fall, relying on rainfall. Journeys run Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. In the event you do not wish to get moist, Huge Creek Expeditions additionally provides a scenic float journey.
Huge Bear Rafting – Decrease Pigeon
This part of the Pigeon River is good for youthful kids and people new to rafting because of its calmer Class I and II rapids. On the two 1/2-hour journey, your information will enable you and 6 different individuals paddle by way of greater than 5 miles of whitewater rapids down the decrease portion of the river. Reviewers praise their pleasant guides and say the expertise is memorable and enjoyable. Ticket costs begin at $39.95 for ages 8 and older and $31.95 for ages 3 to 7 not together with taxes and costs. Kids should be at the least 3 years outdated to hitch. Excursions function from Might by way of September. Actual days and departure occasions fluctuate by season, although you may anticipate journeys to run at the least three days per week with afternoon departures. Huge Bear additionally provides a rafting journey that travels alongside the higher portion of the river. All of Huge Bear’s Rafting journeys depart from Hartford.
