When East Tennessee days are smoldering we’re always looking for ways to cool off while enjoying the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains! I took a day to enjoy the beautiful mountains from the water… the Pigeon River that is! I made my way over to Hartford, TN with Rafting in the Smokies for a trip down the Upper Pigeon River! Rafting in the Smokies offers so many activities for the whole family to enjoy such as: white water rafting, ziplining, ropes course, rock climbing, and family adventure island. No matter how many people you have in your group, there’s an activity for everyone of any age.
The Adventure Begins…
I took a few of my friends to enjoy some intense rafting before the summer came to a close! After we got some basic instructions from the guides, we were separated into our groups to get suited up. We received helmets, life jackets, and our paddles before loading up on the bus!
We rode for about 5 miles up to the Powerhouse which creates the flow of water used for the rafting trips. Guides informed us that this Powerhouse only provides guaranteed water flow from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. After Labor Day all rafting trips run on the natural flow of the river.
Once we arrived at the Powerhouse, we carried our raft to the put in and practiced our rowing skills. Side note… we didn’t have great skills! It took a few tries for us to sync up and work as one, but we got it just in time for our first rapid. This class III rapid was a little bit of shock since it was much bumpier than we expected and it also created a huge splash of cold water! With it being a hot day it actually felt amazing to cool off for a bit! Additionally, we tackled rapids called, “Big Bend”, “Roller Coaster”, “Lost Guide”, “Duck n Run”, and “Accelerator.”
Our guide, Woody, was so helpful in describing the rapids and what we should expect for our enjoyment and safety. He made adventure a priority by teaching us a few tricks on our trip. We learned how to spin in circles, surf backwards, and float over depths while cruising over the rapids!
Our Rafting in the Smokies Experience:
Rafting in the Smokies has the longest operating season and the most amenities available on site. The Pigeon River is dam-controlled with scheduled water releases from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday. Reservations are recommended to ensure that you and your party secure the date and time of your choice. Walk-in guests are welcome. We will have trips in the Spring and Fall. Call for availability 1-800-776-7238.
