Rafting Options for Everyone
Everyone has their own adventure level, pick yours. We'll be with you from start to finish to make your day awesome.

Compare Our Whitewater Rafting Trips Near Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg

upper pigeon river rafting

Upper Pigeon River Rafting Trips

Recommendedfor all groups 8 & up

Raft the Upper Pigeon River with fun, knowledgeable, certified guides. Raft through big waves, drops, and splashes and relax, float, and swim in calmer waters. Enjoy spectacular views of The Smoky Mountains.

 

Conquer 3 exhilarating class IV rapids named ‘Lost Guide,’ ‘Double Reactionary,’ and ‘Accelerator.’  Ride 13 class III rapids such as the Powerhouse, Too Late, Vegematic, and Duck and Run. You'll ride many class II rapids throughout your trip.

 

Do you plan to make it a double run?  You can leave for the second run right after a quick beverage or you can schedule your second run an hour later and have plenty of time to get a bite.

 

Perfect for groups, families, couples, or individuals. Fun for a seasoned rafter or one who never held a paddle. Our amazing guides will make sure your time on the river is unforgettable! Each raft is 6 people + guide and may vary with water levels.

Ages: 
Ages 8 & up or 70 lbs
Duration: 
2 hours (single run) or 4 hours (double run)
Rapids: 
Features class III & IV rapids
Views: 
Panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains
Season: 
Trips run year-round depending on conditions
Experience: 
No experience necessary
Swimming: 
Swimming in calm waters
Save $13 / personWith Code:SAVE13
Book online for the best prices!
upper pigeon river rafting

Lower Pigeon River Rafting Trip

Recommendedfor groups with kids 3-7

Float in calm waters on the Lower Pigeon River on this guided rafting trip through the scenic Smoky Mountains. Kick back, splash, and swim on one of the most beautiful and memorable trips you will spend with family and friends.

 

Perfect for all ages for those who want to be near water, but are not ready for big white water. Each raft is 6 people + guide and may vary with water levels.

 

Ages: 
Ages 3 & up
Duration: 
2 hours
Rapids: 
Calm class I & II waters
Views: 
Panoramic views of the Smoky Mountains
Season: 
Trips run May-Sept
Experience: 
No experience necessary
Swimming: 
Swimming in calm waters
Save $13 / personWith Code:SAVE13
Book online for the best prices!
Book with Confidence:
We have the most flexible cancellation policy in the area.

What Our Guests Are Saying

  • October 2021

    We had a fantastic time very professional business our Guide was Justin! He was amazing, very knowledgeable, social and a joy to be around really made the trip fantastic thank you again Justin! We learned a lot and plan on coming again in the future!

    —windfallgnome
  • July 2021

    My husband and I had the BEST time this weekend rafting the Upper Pigeon River in Tennessee. Benny, our raft guide, was awesome! He made sure everyone was comfortable, felt safe and had a blast! I can't say enough good things about the company. It's a top-notch organization and all of the employees are very knowledgeable and super friendly!

    —Susan Lindrew
  • March 2021

    We had a great time on the Upper Pigeon White water Rafting trip! We had 7 of us, so we filled our own boat. Our guide, Karla (aka HR rep ;) ) was hilarious and energetic and made us feel confident in our abilities. We still felt safe with the safety equipment and the response from the other guides in other boats was amazing.

    —Andrea Vernagus
  • May 2021

    The rafting trip was excellent and our guide - Carla - was the best. We have done several white water rafting trips in various parts of the country but this one was among the top. Carla was hilarious, but always serious when it counted and was clearly in control of the raft throughout the trip, which created a calm for all of us in the raft.

    —Tom Lutman

Frequently Asked Questions

Which trip should I choose?
Check out our comparison list here
Upper Pigeon Trip
• Fully guided
• No experience necessary
• Age is 8 years old OR 70 pounds. A 7 year old can go IF they weigh at least 70 pounds, an 8 year old can go regardless of weight
• Swimming is not a requirement
• The Upper Pigeon is the trip most groups choose regardless of the level of experience

Lower Pigeon Trip
• Fully guided
• No experience necessary
• Ages 3 and up
• Swimming is not a requirement
• The Lower Pigeon is the most popular trip for groups that have young children 7 and under
• It is very common for groups to have some go on the Upper trip and some go on the Lower trip
How far is it from Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge?
Our rafting outpost is located about 40 miles northeast of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge just a half mile from Interstate 40. It takes most folks an hour to drive. We are the closest rafting to the Smoky Mountains. View map and directions.
What if I can’t swim?
No problem, all guests wear a Type 5 coast guard approved Personal Floatation Device.
Do I need experience?
No experience is necessary for any of our trips.
What is the minimum age?
We have 2 trips to choose from, the Upper Pigeon has Class 3 and 4 rapids with a minimum age of 8 years old OR 70 pounds. The Lower Pigeon Float trip has family friendly Class 2 rapids that are suitable for ages 3 and up.
Will I have a guide?
YES! Our trips are fully guided, each boat will have a professional guide to help make your trip unforgettable. (Please excuse their corny jokes)
What should I wear?
SUMMER
Swim Shorts / T-shirts / Old Tennis Shoes (NO BARE FEET OR FLIP FLOPS ALLOWED). If you wear glasses we recommend eyeglass retainers (we have a variety for sale in the store). Waterproof sunscreen is another good idea

SPRING & FALL
Lightweight, synthetic fabrics are the best when the weather is cooler (Under Armor type clothes). DO NOT WEAR COTTON CLOTHING (no jeans, sweet pants or hoodies). Old tennis shoes with a pair of wool socks will keep your feet warm. If the weather is unseasonably cool we have full wetsuit rentals available for only $10 per person.
What about rain?
Our trips go rain or shine, rafting is the perfect activity on a rainy day. (Pro-Tip: You are going to get soaking wet regardless of the weather). In the event of a stronger storm it is not uncommon for us to delay the trip for a moment to allow the weather to pass.
What if I need to cancel?
We have made sure to have one of the easiest cancellation policies in the rafting industry. When you make a reservation you will have up to 48 hour before your trip to cancel and receive a FULL REFUND. Due to limited availability we cannot give refunds for no shows or for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.
Do I need to make a reservation?
Yes. You can call us at 866-333-7238 to make your reservation, or book on our website.
Will I get wet?
Yes! The rapids will splash some water up into the boat, many people also choose to swim during some of the relaxing flat sections of the river. Bring a change of clothing for when you’re done!
Raft With The River Experts
(866) 333-7238
©2024 Raft Outdoor Adventures. All Rights Reserved.
This site uses Google reCAPTCHA V3. Read the privacy policy and terms of service for more information.