Whitewater Rafting In NC - Spruce Pine NC

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Whitewater Rafting

Easier Rivers

The North Toe River is perfect for beginners and families. Most rapids on the river don't reach above a class II, but you still get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Lower Nolichucky is another calmer river, offering class I and II rapids, where you will pass 700 foot cliffs, forested woodlands and sandy beaches, ending with one class III rapid to round out the trip. The Lower Nolichucky River would be enjoyable for the entire family, and similar conditions could be found on the Lower Pigeon River in Hartford Tennessee. Our NC Mountain Cabin offers the very best in Blue Ridge Parkway Lodging, nearby to Spruce Pine and these excellent NC Mountain Whitewater Rafting spots.

The Watauga River is accessible to visitors of the Spruce Pine area, and is the ideal river for families and children. Not too far into the trip down the Watauga River you will encounter Anaconda, a class two or class three rapid depending on water levels, and the best rapid of the trip. This river would serve as a great whitewater introduction for children seeking adventure, as would the Nantahala River, which also offers the occasional class II or class III rapid.

The New River is wide in most places and flows at a calm pace free of many rapids as it flows through Western North Carolina. Visitors may choose a more peaceful trip down the waters of the New River so they can enjoy pristine views of the lush green foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains while lazily floating down the river. In the northern stretches of the river, through Virginia and West Virginia, the waters are significantly more intense, with many class IV and class V rapids and some seriously big water during early spring.

More Difficult Rivers
If you are in search of a bigger thrill you should fight the waters of the Nolichucky River. The eleven-mile wide, 3,000-foot gorge winds through North Carolina and Tennessee and offers class III and IV rapids, allowing rafters to enjoy the intensity of the rushing water. The Ocoee also offers class III and class IV rapids on it's run through Southeastern Tennessee, featuring large rapids with names like "Hell's Hole" and "Powerhouse". The French Broad is the river of choice for many Asheville residents, and while there are some milder sections, there are quite a few class III and class IV rapids, making it a convenient, challenging adventure for many Western North Carolina natives and visitors.

The Upper Pigeon River is a fun, exciting, fast paced section beginning right on the North Carolina/Tennessee border, featuring class III and class IV rapids. While this section is certainly more challenging than the Lower Pigeon, children as young as eight years old are suited to take an adventure down the Upper section.

For the ultimate whitewater experience in the southeast, there is no substitute for the Gauley in West Virginia. The Gauley River is one of the most popular advanced whitewater runs on the east coast which only most experienced paddlers should attempt. This river features many class IV and class V rapids.

Rapid Classes:

Class I – Very easy. Waves small, regular. Passages clear, sandbanks, artificial difficulties like bridge piers. Riffles.
Class II – Easy. Rapids of medium difficulty, with passages clear and wide. Low ledges.
Class III – Medium. Waves numerous, high, irregular. Rocks, eddies. Rapids with passages that are clear though narrow, requiring expertise in maneuvering. Inspection usually needed.
Class IV – Difficult. Long rapids. Waves powerful, irregular. Dangerous rocks, boiling eddies. Passages difficult to reconnoiter. Inspection mandatory first time. Powerful and precise maneuvering required.
Class V – Very difficult. Extremely tough, long and very violent rapids, following each other almost without interruption. River bed extremely obstructed. Big drops, violent current, very steep gradient. Reconnoitering essential but difficult.

USA Raft is one of the companies ready to take you on your whitewater adventure. They have 25+ years of experience, a rigorous training program, and the best rafting guides and gear in the business. USA Raft is well qualified to guide you and your family or group on the French Broad, Watauga or Nolichucky Rivers. If you are interested in a little more adventure, USA Raft can also take you on a guided caving or rock climbing trip. All trips start near Johnson City, TN and Asheville, NC which are both a short drive from Big Bear Cabin in Spruce Pine, NC. No experience is necessary and they have trips for all ages!

USA Raft 2 Jones Branch Rd Erwin, TN 37650 1-866-USA-RAFT	Loafers Glory Rafting and Tubing 2637 Highway 226 North Bakersville, NC 28705 828-688-9290
High Mountain Expeditions 1380 Hwy 105 South Boone, NC 28607 800-262-9036	French Broad Rafting Expeditions 7525 Unit 2, US Hwy 25/70 Marshall, NC 28753 800-570-RAFT
Edge of the World Hwy 184 Banner Elk, NC 28604 828-898-9550	Wahoo's Adventures PO Box 3094 Boone, NC 28607 800-444-RAFT

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