Raft the Nolichucky (Nolichucky Gorge)

// March 16th, 2009 // Asheville River

The Nolichucky River sits in the steepest river gorge east of the Mississippi River. The gorge is flanked by the Unaka Mountains which makes for an impressive wilderness setting. For more adventurous folks we suggest running the Nolichucky Gorge section and for the younger or more cautious tackle the Lower Nolichucky.

Directions from Asheville to NOC Outpost: Take I-240 W to Exit 4A/I-26 W/US 19/23 N. Follow this for about 50 miles into Tennessee to Exit 40 (Old Exit 15), Jackson-Love Hwy. Go to the stop sign, turn right and then right again in front of Riverview Baptist Church. Go 0.7 miles to turn left onto River Road. At the next stop sign, turn left onto Chestoa Road. Immediately after crossing the river, turn right onto Jones Branch Road and follow it for 1.2 miles. Make a sharp right to reach the NOC Nolichucky meeting place.