Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina

Have Fun Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina

If you are looking for fun outdoor vacation ideas, consider whitewater rafting in North Carolina. Beautiful rivers flow through our mountains and foothills offering rapids big and small. Find guided or unguided trips suitable for all age groups and skill levels on our rivers: Nantahala River, Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee River, and more.

With so many different types of rivers to choose from, you can customize your trip whitewater rafting in North Carolina to suit your kids, your grandparents or your friends. No matter who you are, you will have the time of your life whitewater rafting in North Carolina. Come enjoy thrilling outdoor rafting adventures with us in Western North Carolina!

Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina for Families

Kids of all ages will love whitewater rafting in North Carolina! Many of our local outfitters specialize in planning safe, fun river trips for families that are appropriate for children as young as four. Experienced guides, safety equipment and gentle waters mean that you can relax and have a fun with your kids whitewater rafting in North Carolina.

If you have always wanted to go whitewater rafting in North Carolina, but didn’t think you would be able to share the experience with your little ones—think again. Make a guided scenic river trip part of a healthy, fun family vacation that your kids will remember for the rest of their lives.

Focus on the Nantahala Gorge: Exciting Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina

If you are looking for excitement, come whitewater rafting in North Carolina on the Nantahala River, the home of the 2013 ICF World Freestyle Canoe Championships.

Top athletes from around the world come to train and compete on the Nantahala, one of the best-known paddling rivers in the Southeast. Any paddler who comes whitewater rafting in North Carolina should make a point to play on the Nantahala.

Make Whitewater Rafting in North Carolina Part of An Outdoors Adventure Vacation

Make whitewater rafting in North Carolina part of an awesome outdoors adventure vacation including The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Blue Ridge Parkway, Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Nantahala National Forest, Pisgah National Forest, Cherohala Skyway, Appalachian Trail or any of the other exciting and beautiful outdoor playgrounds we have right here in Western North Carolina.

If you just started planning your trip whitewater rafting in North Carolina, we can help guide you to the other fun things to do, as well as, where to stay and where to eat.

Rafting/Kayaking/Canoe/Tubing

Brookside Campground & Rafting
Brookside Campground and Rafting is a modern facility offering recreational camping and white water rafting. Brookside is located deep in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains with grassy campsites along the creek, complete hook-ups, hot showers and clean restrooms, picnic tables, covered garbage cans that are emptied daily, laundry facilities, a game room, pay telephone and playground. Brookside's country store offers snacks, drinks, and everything the average camper might need. In addition, there is whitewater rafting.
764 Hwy 19 Nantahala, NC 28781 (828) 321-5209 brooksiderafting.com Get Directions
Carolina Outfitters Whitewater Rafting
Experience whitewater rafting! Nantahala and Ocoee River family whitewater rafting adventures is located near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the majestic mountains of western North Carolina. Enjoy the scenic splendor of the Nantahala National Forest and thrill to the challenge and excitement of whitewater rafting on the most popular rivers in the Southeast. Experience unnecessary. Combine our rafting with gemstone mining, horseback riding, and scenic train tours. Vacation homes and cabins available.
715 U.S. Hwy. 19 Topton, NC 28781 (828) 488-6348 www.carolinaoutfitters.com Get Directions
Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
Deep Creek flows out of the Great Smokies National Park and by our campground. We rent light-weight vinyl tubes for $6 (all day rental). Tubes are available at a discount to registered campers and groups. Life jackets are available for children. Our camp store also sells creek shoes and other tubing accessories and souvenirs. We have twenty-one rental cabins, from modern campground cabins to hand-hewn log cabins, plus a large house for small groups. More than 40 campsites, from creekside tent camping to pop-ups, travel trailers, RVs and mobile homes. Gem Mining: Pan for rubies, sapphires, quartz, topaz, emeralds and other colorful gems at the Deep Creek Tube Center Mining Company.
1090 West Deep Creek Rd Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 488-6055 deepcreekcamping.com Get Directions
Nantahala Outdoor Center
NOC’s main campus is located at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Nantahala River, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, NOC’s 500-acre campus boasts plenty of exciting adventures to keep your group happy & active. Whitewater raft, explore Fontana Lake in a kayak or canoe, zipline, or mountain bike and hike! Between adventures, check out NOC’s riverfront restaurants and retail stores, and even spend the night in a cozy trailside cabin.
13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 (828) 785-5082 www.noc.com Get Directions
NOC Paddling School
Voted “Best Place to Learn” by Outside Magazine, NOC’s elite team of instructors offer kayak and canoe courses for all ages and skill levels. Choose a weekend or weekday course and try something new or build on your existing skills! With 40+ years going into every course, you know you’re in great hands.
13077 Hwy 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 (866) 297-5281 www.noc.com Get Directions
Come and enjoy nature at its best. We offer leisurely self guided kayak trips down the Little Tennessee River. The trips are 2 1/2 -3 hours long and we supply you with all your equipment needed. You will see along your trip river otters, beavers, deer and endless birds. It is a beautiful and peaceful trip to enjoy nature at its best. If you have your own equipment, we offer a "Drop and Shuttle service" so that you can use your own equipment and enjoy the river. Also, enjoy Gem Mining rain or shine in our Covered Outdoor Gem Flume along the Little Tennessee River. You will discover many different gemstones and fossils including topaz, rubies, amethyst, emeralds and many others. We help you to identify your gemstones. We welcome all rockhounds and treasure seekers, it’s great fun for the entire family. Your adventure and treasure await you!
155 Robin Lynn Lane Otto, NC 28763 (828) 349-1717 www.primitiveoutback.com Get Directions
Rolling Thunder River Company
Family-friendly rafting trips for over 30 years. Guided/Non-guided on the Nantahala River; guided only on the Ocoee River.
10160 Hwy. 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 (800) 408-7238 www.rollingthunderriverco.com Get Directions
Smoky Mountain River Adventures
Great Family-oriented Whitewater Rafting Trip!!!! Rafting/Kayaking/Tubing/Canoeing
5036 US Hwy 74 Whittier, NC 28789 (828) 586-5285 www.smokymountainriveradventures.com Get Directions
Wildwater Nantahala Gorge Adventure Center
We offer fully guided, guide assisted, and rental trips on the Nantahala, Ocoee, Big Pigeon, and Chattooga Rivers. Take advantage of the original Raft and Rail package at Wildwater Nantahala! Climb aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and enjoy a delicious deli lunch, followed by a guided 8-mile Nantahala River whitewater trip. All transportation is included to and from the Bryson City train depot. The Raft and Rail package is a great way for families to enjoy the two best adventures in the region in one day.
10345 Hwy. 19 W. Bryson City, NC 28713 (866) 319-8870 wildwaterrafting.com Get Directions