Raft The Ocoee: The dam-released whitewater of the Ocoee River offers southeastern whitewater enthusiasts the opportunity to sample reliable whitewater even during the hottest and driest summer months. Middle Ocoee’s numerous rapids and river formations offer a wealth of currents and surf for creative and skilled paddlers. Boaters often launch from the put-in...
Ledges Whitewater River Park (Asheville): When it comes to whitewater paddling, the Asheville area is known as one of the top destinations in the east. For local paddlers looking to hone their skills, the Ledges Whitewater Park has long been a fun destination for a short session on the water. With multiple play spots featuring small, but fun waves, a variety of...
French Broad River: One of the most popular new activities to hit the Asheville area is the sport of Standup Paddle Boarding-a cross between canoeing and surfing that first got its start in the ocean. Folks here in Asheville prefer to get their kicks on the French Broad River. The slow-moving,12-mile section from Bent Creek Park to Asheville Adventure Rentals takes...
Paddle The Rocky Broad River: Western North Carolina’s Rocky Broad is a river that gets up and goes, making up in spirited decent for what it lacks in length. An awesome challenge for all levels of whitewater kayaking. The Rocky Broad River water is clean with the bottom and rapids scoured clean by the floods. The run is composed...
Nolichucky River – Class II, III, IV: Passing through remote wilderness, the Nolichucky combines the best of both for adventure and nature lovers. The free-flowing river runs strongest in the spring, traveling through a remote gorge on the full-day paddle. Challenge the Nolichucky’s signature rapid, “Quarter Mile,” a Class IV series of seven drops laced with boulders...
The French Broad River offers all of the aspects that make for a great day on the river. The water is warm and the huge boulders and rugged terrain create a spectacular backdrop. The rapids are definitely big enough to satisfy the adventure side of paddling, but they are also playful and fun without being too difficult. The river has a lot of deep pools that...
Float the Lower Pigeon (N 35.8191, W -83.1568): Downstream of the river’s typical rafting section, the Pigeon’s calmer stretches offer perfect introductory whitewater for children as young as three years old. In between mild Class I and II rapids, calm stretches allow for swimming and relaxed reveling in the mountain scenery. The lower Pigeon is a no-stress way to...
With its higher center of gravity, canoeing whitewater can seem more daunting than kayaking or rafting, but it was in canoes that the first adventurers took on the Smoky Mountains’ rapids. Whether you try out the newer sit-in-the-center solo whitewater canoes or a traditional two-seater, the Nantahala’s friendly learning curve offers a fantastic place to hone your...
If you are looking for a high-adventure, heart-pumping whitewater experience, this is it! One of the steepest commercially-run sections of whitewater in the Southeast, the Upper Green consists of continuous class II and III rapids and two class IV’s. Green River Adventures is the only company to run trips on this beautiful wilderness section of the Green River, so...
Wilson Creek Gorge: When it comes to natural beauty, the Wilson Creek Gorge is unparalleled in regards to its bountiful supply of deep swimming holes, waterfalls, and long-range views of one of the most cherished wilderness areas in the High Country. The area is renowned for its whitewater paddling opportunities at high water levels, but in the summer the area offers...
Watauga River Paddling: The Watauga has a long-standing and well-regarded reputation for high-quality whitewater. Though today much more difficult runs have been established and tamed, the Watauga remains no slouch and demands respect regardless of water level. There are a variety of pin spots, broach rocks, sieves, strainers, holes, and undercuts that require a...
The Nolichucky River Gorge winds through steep-walled canyons and remotethickly-forested mountains. The Noli is one of the best whitewater rafting runs in the Southeast and is said to be one of the most technicalbigwater runs in the South, demanding the coordinated efforts of the paddlers and an experienced guide to negotiate the twists, turns, drops and falls...
The Pigeon River is home to some of the most beautiful and exciting whitewater rafting in western North Carolina. The river features a number of great Class III and Class IV rivers along both the Upper and Lower sections of the river. This 5-mile run offers a number of big water Class 3 to 3+ rapids, including Powerhouse, Roller Coaster, Lost Guide, Double...
The Nantahala Gorge: Enjoyed by canoeists, kayakers and rafters alike, the Nantahala River is one of the most popular rivers in the U.S. Paddlers will enjoy 8 miles of Class II-III whitewater flowing through the Nantahala Gorge, an area revered by the Cherokee Indians. The word Nantahala itself means “middle sun” or “midday sun” in the Cherokee language. With its...
Upper Davidson River Brevard Whitewater Paddling: When it comes to whitewater paddling, Brevard is hard to beat. As one of the Eastern U.S. only temperate rainforests, as well as over 500,000 acres of protected forests full of creeks, rivers and waterfalls, it’s easy to see why Transylvania County is known as The Land of Waterfalls. One of the best whitewater...
When it comes to an adrenaline-packed outdoor adventure, North Carolina whitewater paddling is hard to beat. The top choices for North Carolina whitewater paddling include classic rivers like the Nantahala, the French Broad River, the Pigeon River and nearby rivers such as the Ocoee and Chattoogas. When it comes to summertime adventure, there is nothing quite like...