How to Prepare for your Pigeon River White Water Rafting Trip
Everything you need to know about your rafting trip is here. What to expect, safety procedures, what to wear, and more. Our team will be with you from start to finish to make your trip awesome.
Itinerary
Arrival & Check In
Plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to trip time. Drive to our beautiful and convenient waterfront location in Hartford TN, just 1/4 mile from I-40 on the Pigeon River. After parking, check-in at the main office. Safety waivers will be filled out for each and every member of your party — both children and adults. To speed up the process, you can print and complete your safety waiver form and have it ready when you arrive.
Prepare for Rafting
Before your trip, you'll have an opportunity to change into your rafting clothes at our facility. Be sure to bring the proper footwear and a change of dry clothes. We sell river shoes in the gift shop if you need to purchase a pair. Be prepared to get wet on our trips!
Safety Trip Talk
The guides will give a comprehensive "trip talk" before the trip to explain everything related to safety, using the equipment and the "what if" scenarios and the "how to's" to react. This is a necessary part of your day.
Receive Your Equipment
A PFD (Personal Flotation Device), a helmet, and a paddle — we'll get you suited up and ready to go. All of our equipment is of high quality and up-to-date, and thoroughly cleaned before you use it. Please help us take good care of it. You can rent a wetsuit with a paddle jacket for $15.00. This is optional for cooler days.
Take a Quick Ride to the River
All aboard the magic bus if you are rafting the Upper Pigeon River Trip. We're located just a short, 10-minute drive from the Pigeon River's launch point. Our guides will be sure to keep the ride fun and entertaining!
If you're rafting the Lower Pigeon River Trip, you'll start at the Outpost. After, you'll take a short bus back to the Outpost to relax, recharge and enjoy the mountain views
Start Rafting
Once your guides get you situated in the rafts, it's go-time, baby! Enjoy the trip! Take it from all our other guests throughout the years; you'll love it!
After Your Rafting Trip
After your thrilling, 2-hour rafting trip, you'll arrive at our riverside outpost where your vehicle is waiting with nice, dry clothes.
Rest & Recharge at the Outpost Feel free to use our bathrooms and showers, change clothes, and use our spacious facilities to relax and take in views of the Smoky Mountains.
Food Truck We’re pleased to offer a food truck across the street during most days and hours of operation. If you want to check availability before you book, please contact us so we can check with the truck owner, to ensure he’ll be available before or after your trip.
Take Home Memories of Your Adventure Don’t forget to come in and see YOUR PHOTOS that were taken on the rafting trip! You will have the digital images with rights to reproduce. We love seeing these photos posted on social media and sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp.
Check out our gift shop - we've got t-shirts, hats and souvenirs available for purchase.
What to Wear
Wear
• Only shoes with a secure heel strap, tennis shoes, watershoes. No flip-flop sandals allowed. Water shoes are available for sale at the outpost.
• Wear clothes that will be comfortable when wet. Be prepared to get wet!
• Any quick-dry clothing, activewear, t-shirts, shorts, bathing suit (underneath your clothing), or swim trunks in warmer months.
• You can rent a wetsuit with paddle jacket for $15 (together). They are ideal in cool weather to keep you warm from wind and water.
What to Bring
A set of dry clothes to change into, after the rafting trip
Sunscreen: Apply before the trip and apply it anywhere not protected by clothing
Optional: If you would like to film during your trip - like with a GoPro camera, we have a few helmets with the appropriate attachment.
Do Not Bring
• Anything that you don't want to lose in the water. • Leave your phone locked in your car, and keys safely and securely locked away at our office.
Safety & Cleanliness
We design our trips to deliver all the adventure and all the safety.
Experienced Guides No one on the river has been at this longer than we have. Our 30+ years of experience ensure you benefit from all of our combined safety and knowledge of the river.
First Aid Every rafting guide is certified in First Aid and CPR (with some guides even having additional certifications). They’ve all gone through extensive training to make your trip both enjoyable and safe.
Rafting Trip Talk The guides will give a comprehensive "trip talk" before the trip to explain everything related to safety, using the equipment and the "what if" scenarios and the "how to's" to react. This is a necessary part of your day.
No Drugs or Alcohol Drugs or alcoholic beverages are not permitted. If we suspect you have consumed anything that will impair you before your trip, you will not be able to participate and will not get a refund.
Safety Waiver
IMPORTANT: A safety waiver must be signed by each participant looking to enjoy a rafting trip with us — both minors and adults. Please download, complete, and bring one safety waiver form for each member of your party before your visit.
We offer the most flexible cancellation policy in the area.
We get it. Life happens and sometimes you need to change your trip or cancel your rafting plans. We want you to feel confident when you book a trip with us either by phone or online.
Groups of 1-14
Cancel 48+ Hours in Advance
Reschedule for free or cancel for a 100% refund.
Cancel 24-48 Hours in Advance
Reschedule for free or cancel for a 50% refund.
Cancel Within 24 Hours
No refunds are allowed, because we've already prepared for your trip and likely turned away other customers to save your reservation.
Groups of 15 or More
Cancel 7+ Days in Advance
100% refund or free rescheduling. After that time, no refunds are given, and rescheduling is not guaranteed.
Please understand that we arrange equipment and guides for your group, and given our trip space is limited, we have likely turned away customers because of your reservation.
Our river access has been fully restored after Hurricane Helene, ensuring the best rapids for your adventure. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore one of the best rafting rivers in Tennessee. Book your trip today!
Our new look better communicates the energy and fun our guests experience on our rafting trips. Our site now makes it easier to pick the right rafting experience for your group. And you’re going to get to know more about our trips and how we run them.
Don’t worry! We’re still the same team that has run Pigeon River rafting trips for the last 20 years, and we treat you like family when you raft with us.
