If you are trying to experience the rich culture of Tennessee, then it’s rivers are the place to visit! Tennessee has a variety of rivers that offers everything from family rafting trips, to class V rafting trips, canoeing, scenic trips and much more. The rivers of Tennessee have so much to offer from the Great Smokey Mountains to the many gorges the rivers have to offer.
The Pigeon River
The Pigeon River is 17 miles long and free flows through the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. The Pigeon River flows from Eastern Tennessee to Western North Carolina. This river is great for outdoor water sports like kayaking and whitewater adventures. Kayaking on the Pigeon River is available on both the upper and lower parts. Rafting on the upper Pigeon River is for more experienced rafters due to the class 2,3 and 4 rapids. Rafting on the lower Pigeon River is more family friendly due to more mellow waters. The Pigeon River is also home to a lot of great fishing and hunting spots!
Check out USARaftPigeonRiver.com to book your trip to raft on the Pigeon River!
The Nolichucky River
The Nolichucky River is a 115 mile long wonderland to North Carolina and Tennessee. This river is a very vital part to the ecosystem of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, acting as a drainage system for the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Nolichucky is a great place for canoeing and white water rafting since there are plenty of calm waters and white waters. The Nolichucky River is home to the Nolichucky River Gorge where it is very scenic and yet also very challenging for white water rafters. Although this river may be a great place for white water rafting, it is not allowed in the Summer due to lack of rainfall and droughts.
The Ocoee River
A tributary to the Hiwassee River, the Ocoee River is crazy, 93 mile thrill ride that flows from Tennessee into Georgia. The Ocoee River is home to three dams that keep control of the river’s water flow. The Ocoee River is a very popular river for white water rafting. The middle Ocoee is the actually the most rafted white waters in the country. Rafting on the Ocoee River are for experienced rafters that are prepared for class 3, 4 and 5 rapids. Rafting is available on the middle and upper on the middle and upper Ocoee. During a rafting trip when rafters hit the Big Fat Gap Bridge, the middle and upper Ocoee combine and create an exhilarating ride!
The Watauga River
The Watauga River flows from Watauga, North Carolina to Johnson City, Tennessee. During this river’s 60 mile trip from North Carolina to Tennessee headwaters are reached through Grandfather Mountain and Peak Mountain. The Watauga River contains class 1, 2 and 3 rapids. The Watauga River is great for first time rafters and family raft trips. For families there is an age requirement, children must be at least 4 years of age. If you are looking for a relaxing scenic float or to get a grip on the basics of whitewater rafting then the Watauga River is your best bet!
