{"id":165,"date":"2012-07-11T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com\/blog\/?p=165"},"modified":"2020-08-27T12:00:55","modified_gmt":"2020-08-27T16:00:55","slug":"gatlinburg-whitewater-rafting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com\/blog\/smoky-mountains\/gatlinburg-whitewater-rafting\/","title":{"rendered":"Whitewater Rafting near Gatlinburg: Thrilling or Just Chilling on the Pigeon River"},"content":{"rendered":"

For whitewater rafting near Gatlinburg, the Pigeon River is the place to go. The area around Hartford, TN, 45 minutes from Gatlinburg, has a number of excellent whitewater outfitters running 1 1\/2 to 2 hour tours down the river (See below for a list of top outfitters). Depending on your taste, your trip can be an thrilling whitewater experience, or just a nice day on the water with the kids.<\/p>\n

\"Whitewater<\/a>

Photo courtesy of NOC.com<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The Pigeon River is a dam-controlled river running parallel to I-40, northeast of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Since the water flows from the bottom of a lake, that means it’s cool even on the hottest summer days.<\/p>\n

You have a choice of trips on either the Upper or Lower Pigeon River. The Upper Pigeon River is a true whitewater rafting experience and real rollercoaster ride with Class 3-4 rapids (If you’re not quite sure what Class 4 rapids looks like, click here and scroll down<\/a> to see photos).<\/p>\n

It’s great fun, but not suitable for children younger than 8 years of age. And you will definitely get wet, no matter which part of the raft you sit in. Trips run from 5 to 6 1\/2 miles, depending on the outfitter you choose.<\/p>\n

For families with small children or people seeking a nice day on the river without the adrenaline rush, the Lower Pigeon River is the better choice for rafting. Trips here run about 5 to 5 1\/2 miles and feature some gentle Class 1-2 rapids. The trip is scenic, and there are plenty of opportunities to go swimming.<\/p>\n

Regardless of which trip you take, no whitewater rafting experience is necessary. You’ll be traveling down river with an experienced guide steering your raft.<\/p>\n

Whitewater rafting in the Smoky Mountains is mostly a summertime activity. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the dam releases water on the Pigeon River every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, which means you should have a good ride with plenty of whitewater. During the rest of the year, water release is unscheduled, so call ahead and confirm that it’s a good day for a trip or check the water gage here.<\/p>\n

Trips take 1 1\/2 to 2 hours. Plus you’ll want to budget time to drive to your rafting outfitter.<\/p>\n

Top Whitewater Rafting Outfitters<\/h2>\n

Here are three of the best-known outfitters running whitewater tours in the area.<\/p>\n

BE SURE you know where the trip starts. Some outfitters, like the Nantahala Outdoor Center, have ticket offices in Gatlinburg. But your trip actually starts in Hartford, TN, 45 minutes outside of town.<\/p>\n

Check your outfitter’s web site for directions. Don’t trust your GPS to find the right spot!<\/p>\n

Nantahala Outdoor Center – Gatlinburg<\/strong>
\n1138 Parkway
\nGatlinburg, TN 37738
\nwww.noc.com<\/a>
\n865-277-8209
\nUpper Pigeon River – 5 miles, 1.5 hours. $42.99 per adult.
\nLower Pigeon River – 4 miles, 1.5 hours. $29.99 adult (age 8+), $19.99 child (age 3-7).<\/p>\n

Smoky Mountain Outdoors<\/strong>
\n3299 Hartford Rd.
\nHartford, TN 37753
\nwww.smokymountainrafting.com<\/a>
\n(866) 861-9192
\nUpper Pigeon River – $34 per adult, $32 for children age 8+.
\nLower Pigeon River – $24 per ages 13+, $22 for children ages 3-12.<\/p>\n

Big Creek Expeditions<\/strong>
\nPO Box 117
\n3541 Hartford Rd.
\nHartford, TN 37753
\nwww.bigcreekexpeditions.com<\/a>
\n(877) 642-7238
\nUpper Pigeon River – 6 miles, 1.5 hours. $44 per person.
\nLower Pigeon River – 5.5 miles, 1.5 hours. $37 for ages 8+, $32 for children ages 3-7.<\/p>\n

Enjoy your trip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For whitewater rafting near Gatlinburg, the Pigeon River is the place to go. The area around Hartford, TN, 45 minutes from Gatlinburg, has a number of excellent whitewater outfitters running 1 1\/2 to 2 hour tours down the river (See below for a list of top outfitters). Depending on your taste, your trip can be… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhitewater Rafting in Gatlinburg TN - Rafting the Pigeon River<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Smokies feature some great whitewater rafting! Read our guide to rafting on the Pigeon River near Gatlinburg. 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