Has anyone tried rafting with any of these places? What were the pros/cons of your experience? Any other sites I should look into that you've had a pleasurable experience with? TIA

Rafting Tennessee pigeon river rafting gatlinburg rafting tennessee white water rafting rafting in tennessee rafting tn (http://raftingtennessee.com/index.html)

Rafting in the Smokies - East Tennessee Whitewater Rafting in the Smoky Mountains on the Big Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, TN (http://www.raftinginthesmokies.com/)

Tennessee Rafting Trips with Smoky Mountain Outdoors - Go White Water Rafting in Tennessee on the Big Pigeon River - Experience Tennessee Whitewater Rafting (http://www.smokymountainrafting.com/)

Five Rivers Adventures Home Page (http://www.5riversadventures.com/prostores/servlet/StoreFront?)

Pigeon River white water rafting - Whitewater rafting on the Nantahala, Ocoee, Chattooga, Pigeon, French Broad, Nolichucky, Cheoah, New and Gauley Rivers with NOC (http://www.noc.com/index.php/pigeon.html)

Do you have experience rafting? If so, then I totally recommend rafting the Nantahala! It is awesome. Water's cold though!

I wouldn't do the Pigeon River personally. Really dirty at sections - high pollution due to paper mills and smells bad.

Forgot to share this link
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting- Nantahala River Whitewater Rafting Center, Bryson City, NC, Asheville (http://www.wildwaterrafting.com/nantahala.php)

Do you have experience rafting? If so, then I totally recommend rafting the Nantahala! It is awesome. Water's cold though!

I wouldn't do the Pigeon River personally. Really dirty at sections - high pollution due to paper mills and smells bad.

No, no experience. It's part of our family vacation so there will be me, my husband and our two kids, ages 5 and 8.

Forgot to share this link
Wildwater Ltd. Rafting- Nantahala River Whitewater Rafting Center, Bryson City, NC, Asheville (http://www.wildwaterrafting.com/nantahala.php)

I don't think my 5 yr old meets the weight requirements. :ohwell:

I don't think my 5 yr old meets the weight requirements. :ohwell:

Maybe you should stick with this...

Smoky Mountain River Rampage: Rides & Attractions: Dollywood (http://www.dollywood.com/rides-attractions/ride-detail.aspx?AttractionID=100)

:lmao:

No, no experience. It's part of our family vacation so there will be me, my husband and our two kids, ages 5 and 8.

They do guided runs with groups for the Nantahala. It does have some faster class runs with a kayak, but as a group on a raft with an experienced guide, it's not a problem. I was thinking you were doing it on your own with a kayak. :lol: I still suggest it. It's beautiful and clean. It runs through a gorge/national protected area. Very nice. I suggest you get the family "water shoes" if they don't have them already. The kids will have a blast. I started running rapids as a kid. Awesome time.

Maybe you should stick with this...

Smoky Mountain River Rampage: Rides & Attractions: Dollywood (http://www.dollywood.com/rides-attractions/ride-detail.aspx?AttractionID=100)

:lmao:

We did that the last time we went to Dollywood. It was pretty fun but hubby wanted to up the excitement level for this trip. It was exciting enough for me with my then 2 1/2 yr old strapped in his own seat, trying to keep him in the raft. :lol:

They do guided runs with groups for the Nantahala. It does have some faster class runs with a kayak, but as a group on a raft with an experienced guide, it's not a problem. I was thinking you were doing it on your own with a kayak. :lol: I still suggest it. It's beautiful and clean. It runs through a gorge/national protected area. Very nice. I suggest you get the family "water shoes" if they don't have them already. The kids will have a blast. I started running rapids as a kid. Awesome time.

We'll look into it. The kids have water shoes.

I don't think my 5 yr old meets the weight requirements. :ohwell:

:ohwell: Most rapids have a weight requirement just so nobody gets tossed out. What's your child's weight and I'll send out a few emails for you.

:ohwell: Most rapids have a weight requirement just so nobody gets tossed out. What's your child's weight and I'll send out a few emails for you.

I don't know off hand. I'll have to weigh him when I get home around 3pm. I want to say about 56lbs but I'm not positive. Some of the sites I listed in my original post has age requirement at 3yrs old so they must be really tame water for that one.

Do you have experience rafting? If so, then I totally recommend rafting the Nantahala! It is awesome. Water's cold though!

I wouldn't do the Pigeon River personally. Really dirty at sections - high pollution due to paper mills and smells bad.

Mig, you done the lower Yough? We went two weeks ago with some dudes who said they'd been in Tenn, don't remember where they went. They said the Yough was more better. Just curious for curiosity and comparisons sake.

:buddies:

I don't know off hand. I'll have to weigh him when I get home around 3pm. I want to say about 56lbs but I'm not positive. Some of the sites I listed in my original post has age requirement at 3yrs old so they must be really tame water for that one.

Well depending on when you go and how much food you stuff him with between now and then...J/k. :smile:

I'm going with your guesstimation and emailing a few folks and I'll get back with you.

Well depending on when you go and how much food you stuff him with between now and then...J/k. :smile:

I'm going with your guesstimation and emailing a few folks and I'll get back with you.

Thanks!! I really appreciate it. :huggy:

Mig, you done the lower Yough? We went two weeks ago with some dudes who said they'd been in Tenn, don't remember where they went. They said the Yough was more better. Just curious for curiosity and comparisons sake.

:buddies:
The lower Yough is perfect if you are inexperienced. No rough water, very smooth. I think it's highest class rapid is a 1.6.

Now the upper Yough does have Class 5 rapids and is mo better for someone with experience. Perhaps that's what your friends were referring too.

My all time favorite is the Chattooga. I'd also like to try the Gauley in WVa. It's on my list, and one day I'll make it for one of their 22 day seasons.


Thanks!! I really appreciate it. :huggy:
Considering the area you are going (western NC/eastern TN) I was told you need to choose a rafting trip for the lower Pigeon Forge River. Class 1 and 2 rapids, nothing too bumpy. The water's controlled by a dam so it makes it more serene. It should still be fun for little people and I was told it's far enough down the river to not have any of the stinky paper mill odor to it. I was told that you may want to look at one that also includes a lunch/picnic service so the smaller people get a "break". I have no real company recommendations from my personal experience. However, when you are looking, keep in mind that all trips for the lower Pigeon leave out of Hartford, TN. So it would be best to get a company in that area.

The lower Yough is perfect if you are inexperienced. No rough water, very smooth. I think it's highest class rapid is a 1.6. Nope. That's the middle. The lower is class III and IV. When we ran it, it had raiend the day before and the guides told us it was pretty much all IV's. The upper is all IV's and V's.

Now the upper Yough does have Class 5 rapids and is mo better for someone with experience. Perhaps that's what your friends were referring too.

My all time favorite is the Chattooga. I'd also like to try the Gauley in WVa. It's on my list, and one day I'll make it for one of their 22 day seasons.



Have you done the Yough, upper or lower?

The lower Yough is perfect if you are inexperienced. No rough water, very smooth. I think it's highest class rapid is a 1.6.

Now the upper Yough does have Class 5 rapids and is mo better for someone with experience. Perhaps that's what your friends were referring too.

My all time favorite is the Chattooga. I'd also like to try the Gauley in WVa. It's on my list, and one day I'll make it for one of their 22 day seasons.



Considering the area you are going (western NC/eastern TN) I was told you need to choose a rafting trip for the lower Pigeon Forge River. Class 1 and 2 rapids, nothing too bumpy. The water's controlled by a dam so it makes it more serene. It should still be fun for little people and I was told it's far enough down the river to not have any of the stinky paper mill odor to it. I was told that you may want to look at one that also includes a lunch/picnic service so the smaller people get a "break". I have no real company recommendations from my personal experience. However, when you are looking, keep in mind that all trips for the lower Pigeon leave out of Hartford, TN. So it would be best to get a company in that area.

Thanks for the info!!

We decided to go with "Rafting in the Smokies". We're doing the Lower Pigeon Forge River. I spent all day setting up reservations and buying tickets for everything we're planning on doing that week.

Finally got our schedule set.

Sun: Ripley's Aquarium and NASCAR go-karts
Mon: Dollywood
Tues: Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train ride
Wed: Water rafting trip
Thurs: Knoxville Zoo
Fri: Helicopter ride and muscle car museum

Whew! I'm tired already and we haven't even gone!! :lol:

I miss Pigeon Forge. :bawl: I want to go back! Loved it!

Have you done the Yough, upper or lower?

:yay: Did it the day after Nixon resigned, surprised I remember?? :lmao:

I miss Pigeon Forge. :bawl: I want to go back! Loved it!

We went in 2003 and had a blast. Definately our favorite vacation so far. Plus our youngest was created there so it has special meaning to us.

:yay: Did it the day after Nixon resigned, surprised I remember?? :lmao:

Upper or lower?!!!

Upper or lower?!!!

The whole thing, it was before they subdivided :lol: 2 days, 8 hrs each day on different parts..no idea if it was upper, lower or tweeners.

The whole thing, it was before they subdivided :lol: 2 days, 8 hrs each day on different parts..no idea if it was upper, lower or tweeners.

Holy hell! What a trip! :buddies:

Oh, RareBreed, you have GOT to go to Cades Cove if you're in Pigeon Forge. It is AWESOME and gorgeous. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you get there though, that way you don't have to leave before seeing all the sights. Not that I'd know about that or anything. :whistle:

Oh, RareBreed, you have GOT to go to Cades Cove if you're in Pigeon Forge. It is AWESOME and gorgeous. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you get there though, that way you don't have to leave before seeing all the sights. Not that I'd know about that or anything. :whistle:

Sounds like a cool place. I wonder if we'll be able to fit it into our schedule. How long is the auto tour? If it's a few hours or so, we might be able to do it. I will talk it over with hubby. He's been looking for something free we can do like hiking/outdoorsy type stuff.

Sounds like a cool place. I wonder if we'll be able to fit it into our schedule. How long is the auto tour? If it's a few hours or so, we might be able to do it. I will talk it over with hubby. He's been looking for something free we can do like hiking/outdoorsy type stuff.

Well, once you get into the cove it's an 11 mile driving tour. THey have stops along the way to go see old cabins and stuff. There is some walking involved, but you can drive the whole thing if you want. It's free, and even the drive to the cove is worth it alone. :lol: We even saw a couple black bears! LOTS of wildlife!

Well, once you get into the cove it's an 11 mile driving tour. THey have stops along the way to go see old cabins and stuff. There is some walking involved, but you can drive the whole thing if you want. It's free, and even the drive to the cove is worth it alone. :lol: We even saw a couple black bears! LOTS of wildlife!

We saw a dead black bear along the road as we were driving back from NY (we were in PA at the time) over the week-end.

With a 5 year old the Lower Pigeon River is your only option for whitewater rafting. It is a lot of fun and there are rapids but they are spaced out and mild. The Lower Pigeon is the trip you need for the 5 year old. If some in the group ae over 7 years old and want more rapids, part of the group can go on the Lower while older ones go on the Upper. The Upper has much more whitewater but is still great for first timers. You start and finish the 2 trip options at the same place around the same time so even though you are apart on the river, you can go over together. Wildwater Rafting even does a trip where you go rafting and on an Off Road Hummer adventure. It is very cool and the 5 year old can go on that as well. Wildwater is the only company that offers that trip. Someone already included the link to wildwaterrafting.com previously. Have a great trip!!

When you go over to ride the train you will see Wildwater over there too. Wildwater does rafting on the Nantahala, Pigeon, Ocoee, Chattooga & Cheoah. We do a Raft & Rail trip that goes up the mountain on the train and then back down the Nantahala. The age minimum is 7 though. On July 10th they are opening a new zipline canopy trip near the top of the train ride called Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours. You can check it out at nantahalgorgecanopytours.com. Good luck!!

Ims planning a trip to Nashville and Pigeon Forge TN and I really appreciate all the info given to add some fun to the trip. Does anyone have any recommendations for horseback riding along the way? I would also be interested in a few nights at a dude ranch type vacation. TIA

Ims planning a trip to Nashville and Pigeon Forge TN and I really appreciate all the info given to add some fun to the trip. Does anyone have any recommendations for horseback riding along the way? I would also be interested in a few nights at a dude ranch type vacation. TIA

We went riding at a place right on the Parkway. I can't remember the name of it. There's several places down there. They're the typical rent-a-horse place, but they have some nice views on the trails. There's also a place called Lil Ponderosa that offers horse and atv rides. They're more tucked back out of the way. We were going to go there, but they had funky hours that day.

We spent Friday and Saturday night in gatlinburg this weekend. Left the hotel Sunday morning at 9:45. We were at the far end of town, off Ski Mtn. Rd. Took the bypass around town on the way home. Free sailing till we hit the Little Pigeon River at the entrance to Pigeon Forge. From there to the highway took us a bit over an hour. My advise is to leave EARLY on Sunday (part of the backup was caused by cops stopping traffic for the chruch crowds to get in/out of chruch). Next time, I plan to leave the hotel by 7:00.

Fantasy minigolf in Pigeon Forge was lame. Even to the kids.

Gas is cheaper at the Petro @ exit 36 by about $0.10 than at exit 407 ($2.36 vs. $2.49), and it was running roughly $2.54 in town. Most common cost from Dahlgren to Huntsville, Al was $2.39.

2 sections of I81 were under construction. Mile Marker 43 I believe was the first. Get off and take Rt. 11 till you get up to about the 30 MM. Took us an extra hour to get thru the 2 backups.

Hit the 206 (?) / 301 junction at 9:00 (WaWa & Burger King across from McDonalds in Dahlgren). It was 9:35 when we go to the start of the bridge.

Oh, RareBreed, you have GOT to go to Cades Cove if you're in Pigeon Forge. It is AWESOME and gorgeous. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you get there though, that way you don't have to leave before seeing all the sights. Not that I'd know about that or anything. :whistle:

:frown: Hubby said no to this. Said we're already too busy to add to our trip.

We spent Friday and Saturday night in gatlinburg this weekend. Left the hotel Sunday morning at 9:45. We were at the far end of town, off Ski Mtn. Rd. Took the bypass around town on the way home. Free sailing till we hit the Little Pigeon River at the entrance to Pigeon Forge. From there to the highway took us a bit over an hour. My advise is to leave EARLY on Sunday (part of the backup was caused by cops stopping traffic for the chruch crowds to get in/out of chruch). Next time, I plan to leave the hotel by 7:00.

Fantasy minigolf in Pigeon Forge was lame. Even to the kids.

Gas is cheaper at the Petro @ exit 36 by about $0.10 than at exit 407 ($2.36 vs. $2.49), and it was running roughly $2.54 in town. Most common cost from Dahlgren to Huntsville, Al was $2.39.

2 sections of I81 were under construction. Mile Marker 43 I believe was the first. Get off and take Rt. 11 till you get up to about the 30 MM. Took us an extra hour to get thru the 2 backups.

Hit the 206 (?) / 301 junction at 9:00 (WaWa & Burger King across from McDonalds in Dahlgren). It was 9:35 when we go to the start of the bridge.

Thanks for the heads-up on the construction. Not sure of our route (hubby handles that part) but I'll let him know. We are planning on leaving MD around 6am Saturday so we'll get there by 4pm. We need to pick up the house keys from the rental place. Probably head back home around the same time on the following Saturday.

:frown: Hubby said no to this. Said we're already too busy to add to our trip.


That sucks! I think it was my favorite parts of the trip. It's funny...we asked the locals what to do down there, they ALL said Cades Cove. Oh, and you should stop by Lid'l Dolly's and see the freaky dresses for little girls. :twitch:

That sucks! I think it was my favorite parts of the trip. It's funny...we asked the locals what to do down there, they ALL said Cades Cove. Oh, and you should stop by Lid'l Dolly's and see the freaky dresses for little girls. :twitch:

My husband and two sons would really think I was :crazy: if I wanted to look at dresses for little girls. :lol: I'm sure it won't be the last time we'll be in TN so we'll put it on the "to do" list for our next trip.

That sucks! I think it was my favorite parts of the trip. It's funny...we asked the locals what to do down there, they ALL said Cades Cove. Oh, and you should stop by Lid'l Dolly's and see the freaky dresses for little girls. :twitch:
Hey! :footstomp: Not ALL the Lil' Dolly's dresses are :twitch:. We bought 2 of the non-:twitch: ones this time. Gonna order a Christmas dress for the baby once they come out.

Hey! :footstomp: Not ALL the Lil' Dolly's dresses are :twitch:. We bought 2 of the non-:twitch: ones this time. Gonna order a Christmas dress for the baby once they come out.

Are they like these (http://www.lidldollys.com/osb.html)? :twitch: I wanted to go look at quilts, but hubby was afraid to go in because the dresses freaked him out. :lmao:

Are they like these (http://www.lidldollys.com/osb.html)? :twitch: I wanted to go look at quilts, but hubby was afraid to go in because the dresses freaked him out. :lmao:
Hells no! We bought the "Peggy Sue" sundress in 2 versions.

And a quilt for the bed.

We decided to go with "Rafting in the Smokies". We're doing the Lower Pigeon Forge River. I spent all day setting up reservations and buying tickets for everything we're planning on doing that week.

Finally got our schedule set.

Sun: Ripley's Aquarium and NASCAR go-karts
Mon: Dollywood
Tues: Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train ride
Wed: Water rafting trip
Thurs: Knoxville Zoo
Fri: Helicopter ride and muscle car museum

Whew! I'm tired already and we haven't even gone!! :lol:


The train ride is really cool and it is a beautiful drive to get there.

Ripley's Aquarium is incredible.

You should try and go to the Dixie Stampede one night too. Good food and a great show.

I would also recommend Wonder Works Interactive Museum. The kids will love it.

The train ride is really cool and it is a beautiful drive to get there.

Ripley's Aquarium is incredible.

You should try and go to the Dixie Stampede one night too. Good food and a great show.

I would also recommend Wonder Works Interactive Museum. The kids will love it.

We did the train ride in 2003 and yes, it's cool. Train rides are mandatory on all our vacations. We "tried" to do the aquarium but we went when our then 2 yr old should have been taking a nap and he wasn't in the mood for us to continue much further past the front door. :frown:

Almost forgot one. My kids did this and thought it was the funnest thing ever.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving : Home (http://flyawayindoorskydiving.com/pf.html)

The instructors are absolutly great with the little kids too. They will take hold of them and actually help them fly around the chamber.

I would recommend if you go, to go as soon as they open in the morning. It gets really hot in the wind tunnel later in the day.

The train ride is really cool and it is a beautiful drive to get there.

Ripley's Aquarium is incredible.

You should try and go to the Dixie Stampede one night too. Good food and a great show.

I would also recommend Wonder Works Interactive Museum. The kids will love it.

Almost forgot one. My kids did this and thought it was the funnest thing ever.

Flyaway Indoor Skydiving : Home (http://flyawayindoorskydiving.com/pf.html)
The instructors are absolutly great with the little kids too. They will take hold of them and actually help them fly around the chamber.

I would recommend if you go, to go as soon as they open in the morning. It gets really hot in the wind tunnel later in the day.

Our schedule is filled up but I will keep note of these for future trips. Hopefully it won't take another 5 yrs to get back down there.