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The rivers of Western
North Carolina and the Tennessee border offer Class I through Class IV rapids
for whitewater rafting. Major rafting rivers are the
French Broad, Nolichucky,
Nantahala, Ocoee, Chattooga and Green River. These six rivers in the North
Carolina mountains are considered the best whitewater in the Southeast. The
closest whitewater rafting companies to Asheville are
USA Raft,
Blue Heron Whitewater and
French Broad Rafting Expeditions,
all located on the French Broad River 30 minutes north in Marshall.
If you want to get on a river, and whitewater is not a must, check
out the
Asheville Outdoor Center located right in Asheville. They offer
gentle tubing, rafting, kayaking and canoeing also on the French
Broad River.
There are few better ways to experience the excitement of the mountains than a
whitewater rafting trip, and Western North Carolina has it all, from peaceful
gentle streams to big tumbling rivers that roar through the deepest gorges.
The most popular whitewater stream for professional and amateur alike is the
Nantahala River in the Bryson City area. A class II and III stream, the
Nantahala begins in the mountains of Macon County and flows northward through
the beautiful Nantahala Gorge and on into Graham County where it joins the
Little Tennessee River. The eight-mile run on the Nantahala takes about three
hours. Be advised, though, on summer weekends the river can get very crowded.
There are a number of outfitters that provide rental equipment and
guided raft trips on the area streams. The larger outfitters, like
Nantahala Outdoor Center, provide guide services worldwide.
Prices for a guided raft trip will vary from outfitter to outfitter
and usually are higher on weekends.
Basic gear requirements are a life jacket and protective foot wear such as
river-runner sandals or booties. Be sure and wear quick-drying clothes!
Located north of Asheville in Woodfin on the French Broad River, the
Ledges
Whitewater Park is the closest whitewater section of the river for canoeing and
kayaking without guided service. Recommended for experienced canoeists and
kayakers only. The Ledges play spots, of which there are several, begin to
warm up at levels over 1,000 cubic feet per second and rise to 3,500. The park is complete
with movable holding “gates” that kayakers can paddle through to practice for
slalom competition and to improve their dexterity and water skills. To get there
from Asheville, take I-240 to 19-23 North (Exit 4) and continue six miles to the
New Stock Road exit. Turn left off the exit ramp and drive 0.7 miles to left on
Aiken Road, then first right onto Goldview Road. Follow Goldview Road to the
river. Turn right onto NC 251. The Ledges Whitewater Park and Picnic Area will
be on your right almost immediately. If you wish, you can continue north on NC
251 2.0 miles to the Alexander Bridge for put-in.
Stream Classifications:
Class I: Easy. Moving water with a few riffles, small waves and few
obstructions. Requires basic paddling know-ledge.
Class II: Moderate. Easy rapids with up to three-foot waves and few
obstructions. Requires intermediate skill level.
Class III: Difficult. High rapids and narrow channels. Requires intermediate
skill level.
Class IV: Very difficult. Long difficult rapids, constricted channels and
turbulent water. Requires experienced skill level.
Class V: Exceedingly difficult. Extremely difficult, long and often violent
rapids. Requires high skill level.
Class VI: Utmost difficulty. Very dangerous and for experts only.
Resources:
North Carolina Professional Paddlesports Association
PO Box 145, Rosman NC 28772,
828-877-3106.
Outfitters:
Western Mountains
(From Murphy to
Waynesville)
Adventurous Fast Rivers Rafting: Nantahala
River; 14690 Highway 19 West, Bryson City NC 28713;
800-438-7238, 828-488-2386; travel time from Asheville: 11/2
-2 hours west to Nantahala River location.
Appalachian Rivers Raft Company: Nantahala
River; US Highway 19, Topton NC 28781; 800-330-1999; travel time
from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west to Nantahala River
location.
Blue Ridge Outing Co.:
Nantahala and Tuckaseegee Rivers; 11044 Highway 19 West, Bryson
City NC 28713; 800-468-7238, 828-488-6345; travel time from
Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west to Nantahala River
location.
Carolina Outfitters: Nantahala
River; 12121 Highway 19 West, Bryson City NC 28713;
800-572-3510; travel time from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours
west.
Endless River Adventures:
Nantahala, Cheoah and Ocoee Rivers; 14157 US Highway 19/74 West,
Bryson City NC 28713; 800-224-7238, 828-488-6199; travel time
from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west to Nantahala River
location.
Great Smokey Mountain Fish Camp & Safaris:
Little Tennessee (Tubing & Canoe Rentals only); 1136 Bennett
Road, Franklin NC 28734; 828-369-5295; travel time from Asheville: 2
hours west to Franklin.
Headwater Outfitters: Canoeing,
kayaking and tubing on the French Broad River. No whitewater
rafting; 25 Parkway Road, Rosman NC 28772; 828-877-3106; travel time
from Asheville: 11/2 hours west.
Nantahala Outdoor Center:
Nantahala, Ocoee, Chattooga, Cheoah, Pigeon, French Broad and
Nolichucky Rivers; 13077 Highway 19 West, Bryson City NC 28713;
828-488-2176, 888-905-7238; travel time from Asheville: 11/2
-2 hours west to Nantahala River location.
Paddle Inn Rafting Company;
Nantahala River; 14611 US Highway 19 West, Bryson City NC 28713;
800-711-7238; travel time from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours
west.
Rolling Thunder River Company:
Nantahala River; 10160 Highway 19 West, Bryson City NC 28713;
800-408-7238; travel time from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours
west.
Cripple Creek Adventures: Pigeon River; 3555 Wheat Road,
Crosby TN 37720; 828-260-1111; travel time from Asheville: 1 hour
west.
Tuckaseegee Outfitters:
Tuckaseegee River; 4909 Highway 74, Whittier NC 28789; 888-593-5050;
travel time from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west.
USA Raft:
Nantahala River; Bryson City NC 28713; 866-872-7238; travel time
from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting:
Pigeon, Nantahala, Chattooga, Ocoee and Cheoah Rivers; 10345 Highway
19, Bryson City NC 28713; 866-319-8870, 828-488-2384; travel time
from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours west to Nantahala River
location.
Central Mountains
(From Waynesville through
Asheville to Burnsville)
Asheville Outdoor Center: Canoeing,
Kayaking, Rafting and Tubing on the French Broad River. No
whitewater rafting; 521 Amboy Road, Asheville NC 28806;
800-849-1970, 828-232-1970; travel time from Asheville: In
Asheville.
Big Creek Expeditions:
Pigeon River; 3541 Hartford Road, Hartford TN 37753; 877-642-7238,
423-487-0178; travel time From Asheville: 1 hour northwest.
Blue Heron Whitewater: French
Broad River; 35 Little Pine Road, Marshall NC 28753;
888-426-7238; travel time from Asheville: 30-45 minutes north.
Cherokee Adventures Inc.: Rivers:
Nolichucky, Watauga and Holston Rivers; 2000 Jonesborough Road,
Erwin TN 37650; 800-445-7238, 423-743-7733; travel time from
Asheville: 1 hour northwest to Nolichucky River location.
French Broad Rafting Expeditions: French
Broad River; 9800 US Highway 25-70, Marshall NC 28753; 800-570-7238:
travel time from Asheville: 30-45 minutes north.
Green River Adventures:
Green River; 1734 Holbert Cove Road, Saluda NC 28773; 800-335-1530,
828-749-2800; travel time from Asheville: 45 minutes south.
Huck Finn Rafting Adventures: French
Broad River; 158 Bridge Street, Hot Springs NC 28743; 877-520-4658;
travel time from Asheville: 45 minutes northwest.
Loafers Glory Rafting:
Toe
and French Broad Rivers; 2637 Highway 226 North, Bakersville NC
28705; 828-208-9202, 866-933-5628; travel time from Asheville: 1
hour west to Bakersville location.
Outdoor Rafting Adventures:
Pigeon River; 3635 Trail Hollow Road, Hartford TN 37753;
866-333-7238, 423-487-2085; travel time from Asheville: 1 hour
northwest.
Rapid Descent River Co.:
Pigeon River; 3195 Hartford Road, Hartford TN 37753; 800-455-8808;
travel time from Asheville: 1 hour northwest.
Rafting in the Smokies:
Pigeon River; 3595 Hartford Road, Hartford TN 37753; 800-776-7238;
travel time from Asheville: 1 hour northwest.
Rip Roaring Adventures:
Pigeon River; 3375 Hartford Road, Hartford TN 37753; 800-449-7238;
travel time from Asheville: 1 hour northwest.
USA Raft:
French Broad River; 13490 US Highway 25-70, Marshall NC 28753;
866-872-7238; travel time from Asheville: 30- 45 minutes
north to the French Broad River location.
Wahoo Adventures:
Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers; 1201 Rock Creek Road, Erwin TN 37650;
800-444-7238, 828-262-5774; travel time from Asheville: 45
minutes -1 hour northwest to Nolichucky River location.
White Water Rafting:
Pigeon River; 453 Brookside Village Way, Gatlinburg TN 37738; 800-771-7238, 865-430-3838;
travel time from Asheville: 11/2 -2 hours
northwest.
Northern Mountains
(From Burnsville to Sparta)
High Mountain Expeditions: Watauga
and Nolichucky Rivers, Wilson's Creek; 3149 Tynecastle Highway,
Banner Elk NC 28604; 800-262-9036; travel time from Asheville: 11/2
-2 hours east to Banner Elk location.
River and Earth Adventures:
Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers; 1655 Highway 105, Boone NC 28607;
800-411-7238, 828-963-5491; travel time from Asheville: 2-21/2
hours east.
Riverside Canoe:
South Fork of the New River (Tubing and canoeing only), 2966
Garvey Bridge Road, Crumpler NC 28617; 336-982-9439; Travel Time
From Asheville: 3 hours east.
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