Unearth The Voyage
Have you been searching for the absolute best white water rafting Tennessee tours? Well, we have put together the top 8 best whitewater rafting in Tennessee tours just for you!
One of our favorite things to do is go white water rafting or go on a float trip. We have family that lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, and we go to the Smoky Mountains every time we visit them.
White water rafting in East Tennessee is always one of the most fun things you can do in the area.
Some of the best white water rafting in Tennessee is located near Pigeon Forge which makes it easy for us to get an adrenaline boost when visiting family.
🛶 Looking for the best white water rafting tour near Pigeon Forge? 🛶
This white water rafting tour is our #1 pick with over 1,000 five-star reviews
But if you’ve never been to Tennessee or have never gone white water rafting before, it can be hard knowing which river is the best for your skill level or which tours you should consider for your itinerary.
We’ve put together a list of 8 different tours that can span all skill levels and interests as well as tours that operate at different locations that you will want to consider.
So get ready for the thrill of a lifetime as you set out on your epic white-water rafting adventure in Tennessee!
White Water Rafting Pigeon Forge Tours
1. Upper Pigeon Smoky Mountains Rafting Trip
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (924 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
Located in Hartford, this Upper Pigeon Rafting Tour is a fantastic way to go white-water rafting in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.
You will navigate class III and class IV rapids through the Great Smoky Mountains and the beautiful Cherokee State Parks with a super helpful and fun guide.
“We had an amazing, exciting, fun time. The river was beautiful, a great experience for the first time whitewater rafting. Our guide Tristan was excellent, very friendly, knowledgeable, and made us laugh all the time. You really felt his passion for the work he does. Most of all we felt safe with him. This is a must activity. You will leave with a wonderful lifetime memory!”
Sylvia (Read more reviews)
This rafting tour is suitable for rafters ages 8 years and older and all necessary equipment and instructions are provided by the outfitter and guides. This experience also gives you several tour times so that you are able to have the most flexibility with your itinerary.
One of the things that we enjoyed the most about this river rafting adventure is the adrenaline rush that we got from rafting on the higher-class rapids as well as the opportunity to see some interesting wildlife along the river!
2. Upper Pigeon River Rafting Trip from Hartford
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (1,279 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
This centrally located white water rafting Tennessee Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg tour is the most reviewed on our list. This river rafting trip is highly rated by over a thousand thrill-seeking rafters.
The river rafting tour from Hartford offers the longest rafting trip that is available on the Pigeon River at 6.5 miles where you will experience a range of rapids from class I to class IV. That’s 1.5 miles longer than any other river rafting tour!
“A beautiful day away from all the traffic and commercialism in Pigeon Forge. Steve, our guide was awesome. Great day on the river. Recommend and would definitely do it again!”
Melinda (Read more reviews)
This tour is great for beginner rafters and all the way up to experienced rafters. Certified guides will help you navigate your entire trip no matter what your skill level is, so you feel confident while rafting and you will leave with so much white water rafting knowledge!
This particular tour is additionally one of the closest put-ins in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area. That makes this tour incredibly convenient for those that are traveling to and from the cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. No need to travel far for the thrill of white water rafting!
3. Lower Pigeon River Rafting Tour
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (139 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
Due to the lower part of the Pigeon River being more beginner-friendly with lower-class rapids, this Lower Pigeon River Rafting Tour is the best family-friendly Tennessee whitewater rafting option available!
This water rafting experience includes class I and class II rapids making it suitable for children as young as 3 years old so that the whole family can have some fun together.
“Great river rafting experience. The trip was well organized. Our guide was friendly and explained things very well. It was extremely scenic with the river and Mountain View.”
Rashmi (Read more reviews)
Everyone that has taken this tour also really tends to appreciate how conveniently close this tour is located to the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. This Lower Pigeon River tour is a great way to get a white water rafting Gatlinburg Tennessee afternoon trip in while visiting either of the cities nearby.
It is also worth noting that this outfitter offers a large facility back at the outpost with picnic tables, a food truck, and plenty of parking. There is also a campground next to the facility making this tour the perfect opportunity to spend the night after your tiresome rafting adventure!
4. White Water Rafting on the Upper Pigeon River
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (471 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
We absolutely love the panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountain and the Pigeon River Gorge that you get from this white-water Tennessee tour on the Upper Pigeon River!
This river tour includes class III and class IV rapids such as the ‘Snapdragon’ and the ‘Powerhouse’ which makes this rafting expedition more suitable for travelers with moderate physical fitness levels. But it is still beginner friendly!
“We expected to have this be an almost scary experience, but upon joining the stream found that all the worries and fears slipped away and turned to exhilaration, fun, laughter, and relaxing irreplaceable views of the beautiful nature of the smokies, one hour on the river felt like no more than 15 minutes, the whole family enjoyed and would love to go again.”
Bryan (Read more reviews)
Most rafters who take this tour also really like that it gives you the unique opportunity to swim in the river at a certain stretch of the trip. It’s perfect to cool off if you’re out on the river on an especially hot summer’s day.
This white water rafting tour is a seasonal experience with expeditions that are only available between the months of May and August, but you do have a choice of morning or afternoon departures to allow for some flexibility during your trip’s itinerary.
5. Upper Pigeon Rafting Adventure
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (270 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 2 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
This Upper Pigeon tour is yet another unique Tennessee white water rafting experience that you will absolutely want to consider. This tour features 5 amazing miles of river rapids ranging from class III to class IV.
There are knowledgeable guides that will help boost your confidence in rafting. Everyone who goes on this tour can’t stop raving about the amazing, helpful, and funny guides that accompany you on every adventure!
“Brett was an awesome guide and made the whole experience fun and exciting. Loved the sense of humor throughout the trip!”
Hipesh (Read more reviews)
This adventure is listed as a 5:00 PM evening trip only, but the outfitter that puts on this Upper Pigeon Rafting Adventure is super accommodating and will gladly set up custom full-day adventures based on your wants and needs for your trip and itinerary.
The outfitter that is in charge of this rafting adventure also offers some very nice amenities for the beginning and end of your tour. There are hot showers, changing rooms, and picnic areas available for you to utilize and enjoy during your trip!
6. Whitewater Rafting, Zipline & Rope Obstacle Course
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (49 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
If you are looking for more than just TN whitewater rafting thrills then this unique tour is definitely for you! You will get to enjoy a full day of thrilling outdoor adventures and activities in the Smoky Mountains alongside expert guides that will help you along the journey.
This adrenaline-pumping tour features a zipline course that zips you through the treetops and over the scenic Pigeon River and Family Adventure Island.
“Awesome activity and the guides definitely make the experience more exciting. A must try.”
– Dan
Then there is a high ropes obstacle course that will give you spectacular views of the surrounding areas while also challenging you with fun obstacles through the treetops. The tour finishes with a 5.5-mile white water rafting TN through the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
We really love the thrilling combination of the outdoor activities as well as the opportunity to wind down with the more chill and relaxed activities back at the rafting outpost. You can walk the nature trail, play the bean bag toss games, or let the kids enjoy the playground at the water’s edge.
White Water Rafting Ocoee Tours
7. Full Ocoee River Rafting Adventure Tour
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (71 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 6 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
Being the longest adventure tour on our list, this Ocoee River tour is a great white water rafting Tennessee Chattanooga day trip!
You will raft through the Cherokee National Forest while taking on varying rapids such as Mikey’s, Blue Hole, and Bush Gardens. This tour also takes all of the rafters through the famous ‘Olympic Section’ of the Ocoee River which boasts 20 different class III and class IV rapids!
“Our Whitewater rafting experience was awesome. Our guide (Stiles) was very professional and friendly. We had a great time. The weather was great and the lunch was too. I highly recommend.”
– Cecilia (Read more reviews)
All of the rapids on this tour will range from class III to IV, so this tour is more suitable for rafters ages 12 and up.
One thing that stands out to us about this tour is that you get to enjoy a complimentary picnic lunch by the riverside. This tasty lunch is served under a canopy of trees at the halfway point of the tour, and it includes sandwiches, chips, cookies, fruit, tea, and lemonade.
8. Middle Ocoee River Rafting Trip
🤩 Rating: 5/5 Stars (139 reviews) | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours | 🛶 BOOK NOW
Take on a different and exciting part of the river by white water rafting Tennessee Ocoee Middle. This tour starts at the Ocoee Dam #2 and then takes you through the Cherokee National Forest and the river gorge where you will take on class III and IV rapids.
This class of rapids makes the tour suitable for rafters ages 12 and up, but there is no experience necessary to go rafting on this tour.
“We had so much fun! The guides were knowledgeable and charismatic, and made the experience safe and fun! I recommend this trip to anyone wanting to “get their feet wet” white water rafting!”
Megan (Read more reviews)
We loved the new perspective of Chattanooga with this tour, but you also get to explore beyond Chattanooga to see the rest of the region’s natural beauty and scenic views. The Cherokee National Forest portion of the river gorge is exceptionally beautiful!
At the end of this Middle Ocoee River tour, you will get a chance to relax at the outpost where you can change into your dry clothes and review pictures from the trip!
What to Wear White Water Rafting in TN
When going on a whitewater rafting trip, it is very important to dress accordingly. You should always consider the weather, comfort, practicality, and safety when choosing your clothes and shoes and accessories.
In terms of what not to bring, you will want to leave behind any jewelry, wallets, electronics, or items of value so that you won’t lose them while you are out on the water.
- Swimsuit – Nylon or synthetic swimwear is a must when whitewater rafting, especially in the summer months, so you can dry faster and be comfortable in the constant rain of water. Wearing a swimsuit will also allow you to go swimming if the opportunity arises. Workout clothing will also do the job just fine!
- Quick-drying comfortable clothes – Similar to your swimsuit, you will want to wear quick-drying shirts and shorts to keep you the most comfortable throughout the rafting experience. You will definitely want to avoid cotton and you should dress for the weather and the season!
- Appropriate shoes – Wearing the appropriate shoes that easily stay on your feet is absolutely required. Old tennis shoes or nylon-topped water shoes are great options for TN white water rafting because they stay secured to your feet. That being so, flip flops or Crocs, or bare feet are not allowed by the outfitters.
- Safety gear – For your safety while river rafting in Tennessee, you will be required to wear a helmet and a life jacket especially when rafting higher-class rapids. Pretty much all outfitters and tours will supply a helmet, a paddle, and a life jacket for you to wear and use during your rafting tour.
- Sun protection – Since you will be out on the river and out in the sun all day, it is super important to have sun protection on while rafting. Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must, but don’t bring any sunglasses that you would care about losing just in case!
- Change of clothes/towels – In order to be comfortable and not be wet for the rest of the day, it is recommended that you pack a change of dry, comfy clothes that are weather appropriate to change into after the long day of being on the white water in TN. You will also want a towel to use to dry off at the end of the day. Most outfitters will have a changing room or facility for you to utilize.
The Best Time to Go White Water Rafting in Tennessee
Are you wondering, what is the best month to go white water rafting in Tennessee? Well, we would say that the absolute best month to go is August. We would also specifically recommend going towards the end of August or generally just later in that month to avoid crowds.
Summer in general is going to be the best time to go white water rafting in eastern Tennessee, but summer also usually tends to be the busiest time of year to go with everyone having time off and the temperature being perfect for rafting.
That being so, we believe that late August is the best opportunity to go white water rafting so that you can still enjoy the warm water temperatures while also avoiding the peak crowds of June, July, and early August.
If summer isn’t an option for your trip, spring and fall are also possible times to go rafting in Tennessee as well. The spring rafting season goes from the months of March to April, and the fall rafting season goes from the months of September to October.
These months will definitely help you avoid crowds, but you might encounter cooler water temperatures in addition to less predictable water levels which will affect the class of the rapids.
White Water Rafting Tennessee FAQs
Tennessee is definitely good for White Water Rafting. Many parts of Tennessee are home to numerous rivers and rapids of varying classes of intensity. Any person from beginner all the way up to advanced will be able to find a river to whitewater raft in TN!
It can cost approximately $50-$120 per person to go white water rafting in Tennessee. This pricing usually includes equipment like helmets and life jackets, but generally pricing can vary based on the level of excitement or length of the tour you are looking for in a whitewater rafting adventure.
The nearest white water rafting to Nashville is the Ocoee River. The Ocoee River is a little over 3 hours or approximately 180 miles southeast from Nashville, Tennessee. A water rafting trip that takes place on the Ocoee River will start in Ducktown, Tennessee.
Tennessee has class I up to class IV+ rapids. Most rivers with white water in Tennessee, like the Pigeon and Ocoee, are divided into different runs which will have varying classes of rapids. Most of the rivers in Tennessee, however, will fall into the class III rapids.
Wrap-Up: Best White Water Rafting in Tennessee
We hope that this best white water rafting in Tennessee guide will help you pick out the best place to go white water rafting in Tennessee and the perfect tour for your trip!
We always enjoy the thrills and how fun it is to float down rivers with friends and family whenever we get a chance to go to Tennessee.
Our personal favorite tour when it comes to Tennessee rafting has got to be the Upper Pigeon River Rafting Trip from Hartford because of the extra length of the river that you get to see and raft, but this Lower Pigeon River Rafting Tour is perfect for families and any little ones due to the lower class of rapids that you will encounter.
With picturesque views of both the Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest as well as an adrenaline boost, we know that you can’t possibly go wrong with any of these tours when you white water raft Tennessee.
