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White Water Rafting Experience on the Upper Pigeon River

White Water Rafting Experience on the Upper Pigeon River

Overview

The Pigeon River gorge cuts east to west across the Smoky Mountains from North Carolina and into Tennessee. As one of the most popular rafting trips in America, the Upper Section of the Pigeon River offers guests with the best introduction to whitewater anywhere.

City: Hartford

Sun 22 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $43.00

Make a reservation

Sun 22 Sep

Starting at $43.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Equipment included: life jacket, helmet and paddle

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests will then meet their personal guide and recieve the necessary equipment Including: life jacket, helmet and paddle.
After your guide double-checks to make sure all equipment is fitted properly, guests then hop on our bus for a short 10-minute ride to the launching point for your trip.

What To Expect

Pigeon River

The Pigeon River gorge cuts East to West across the Smoky Mountains from North Carolina and into Tennessee, offering paddlers panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains while cooling off from the summer heat.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (470)

Deidre B

Aug 2015

Not knowing what to expect.... we took a bus that ended up in the same place that 5 or 6 other outfitters parked their buses next to the river. This made me ask myself why I paid a little more for my son in-law and I to go based on just ratings I read online. This is exactly why it was the right selection based on Trip Advisor reviews. Our guide was beyond experienced and a certified white water rescue personnel who knew every rock and boulder to give us more ride within the rafting experience. With precision steering we paddled the raft back into some swells and dips which sucked the nose of the raft down under water and we all just stayed there nice and calm while the raft filled almost to the brim with cooling water (on a very hot day) before he gave the command to back stoke two strokes to set us free. Our guide was doing many more maneuvers than the other rafts we were around to allow everyone on our raft different experiences others outfitters were not doing. He even allowed us to swim outside the raft for about 10 minutes during a calm section of the river while giving us the complete history of the Pigeon River (I saw the other rafters paddling though this area for additional excercise?!?!). I will say I have been rafting a few times before but this was by far the best time I've had doing it. If you go...asked to be guided by Greg Stevens. You will not regret it.

LADavis5403

Jul 2015

Our family has been whitewater rafting several times, both in Tennessee and North Carolina. This, by far, was the best experience we had. We usually request the lower and/or less intense part of the river (like a class 1or 2 with maybe some grade 3 areas), since we have an elementary school age child. However, our oldest child is a teenager, and begged us to do a more "exciting" run this time. I explained this to a Big Creek Expeditions representative, over the phone, while booking online. We were placed with a very experienced guide, on the upper river, who made sure my family had a fun time, yet remained safe. The upper part of the Pigeon River offers sections of Class 3 and 4. The result was an extremely fun and exciting run for the entire family. The river itself is beautiful, surrounded by trees and mountains. Our children were thrilled to see otters and many different birds. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and told us of the history of that area, including the TN and NC border, the Indian conservation, the early settlers, the species of animals that live in the Smoky Mountains, the efforts to save some, the climate in the mountains and reasons for the fog like clouds we see, etc. We love to incorporate fun with learning. Our children asked many questions, and absolutely loved this experience. What we also liked about Big Creek is that they give you a CD with all of your pictures, for a reasonable price. We did not have this option at other whitewater rafting companies. Recommendation on what to wear: If you are going whitewater rafting for the first time, wear water shoes and an outfit that you don't mind getting wet. You will be wearing a vest that is adjusted to fit you and must stay on, even while swimming off the raft. There is a section, on the river, which is safe to go off the raft and swim. My recommendation is to wear a bathing suit top under a shirt, and work out shorts/pants for the bottom. I am always surprised to see people wearing jeans, white capri pants, etc. You will get wet, even you decide not to go swimming.

Tanya T

Jul 2015

Our family had a great experience with Will H as our tour guide. I highly recommend the upper pigeon river white water expedition.