Upper Pigeon River: Premier Whitewater Rafting Experience
4.9
521 Ratings
Hartford

The Pigeon River Gorge traverses the Smoky Mountains from North Carolina to Tennessee in an east to west direction. The Upper Section of this river provides one of the most frequented rafting experiences in the U.S, serving as an excellent initiation to whitewater adventures.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Pigeon River - The Pigeon River gorge slices from the east to the west through the Smoky Mountains, transitioning from North Carolina to Tennessee. It provides those on the water with sweeping vistas of the Great Smoky Mountains and a refreshing escape from the summer warmth.
  • Big Creek Expeditions - The premier rafting adventure on the Upper Pigeon River is found near Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville. Just a 45-minute journey will bring you to Big Creek Expeditions. Here, you and your companions will create enduring memories while savoring the Great Smoky Mountains in their truest form—out in nature.
What's Included
  • Equipment provided: life jacket, helmet, paddle
What's Not Included
  • Lunch and Snacks are not included
Additional Information
  • Guests will then meet their personal guide and recieve the necessary equipment Including: life jacket, helmet and paddle.
  • After your guide double-checks to make sure all equipment is fitted properly, guests then hop on our bus for a short 10-minute ride to the launching point for your trip.
Location
3671 Hartford Rd
Hartford Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(521 Ratings)
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Sign101d
Jun 13, 2024
Top notch! - This trip was amazing. The staff were helpful and friendly, our guide Bailey was so great with our group of 9 (including two 10 year olds and someone who is Deaf in the group). She answered all the little guys’ questions. The changing rooms/bathrooms were clean and spacious. The rapids were good, just wish there was more (you always want more). Can’t say enough good things about our experience. Nothing negative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V4852rcjulied
Jun 13, 2024
The English Pensioners ride the Pigeon - Had a great experience with Steve our guide for the afternoon. The whole process from the check in which was very smooth, through to the facilities available and then the safety briefings were excellent. Then comes the fun, the rafting was truly memorable our group of 4 had three over 60's in it, you have to paddle at times, but at no point are you over exserted. A big thank you to our guide Steve, he looked after us so well. Would recommend this tour to everyone
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jrosenbaumjr
May 26, 2024
Fun Family Adventure. Great guide and fun river. - We had a family of 7 and took a trip with Big Creek. We had a great experience and we highly recommend this outfit. First of all the facilities were great! New buildings, changing area and store. The rented equipment was in good condition. Second, the rafting was fun and exciting. Gilly was our guide and handled our group (2 adults and 5 tweens/teens) well. She shared facts about the river, kept us laughing with her jokes, guided us through some nice rapids and made sure we got a little wet. We highly recommend Big Creek and highly recommend Gilly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6007laadaml
Mar 16, 2024
The best experience - I’ve wanted to go white water rafting my whole life, and it definitely lived up to the hype! I took my 3 teenagers with me, and they all rated it 10/10! My 17 year old son even wants to come back to be a guide next summer. Daryl U. was cool, knowledgeable, and we always felt safe with him as our guide. All of the other staff were very friendly, and the wetsuit rental was great for a Spring trip! We’re already looking for a time when we can come back again! Thanks Big Creek Expeditions!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal422435
Sep 24, 2023
Best day on the river !! - Amazing time on the river with Big Creek !! Super great guides that take safety seriously while having a lot of fun ! See you again in’24
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthewcv7284em
Sep 20, 2023
Awesome experience - Went while in PF for a baseball tournament. It was definitely worth the money. Awesome place, highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Al125125
Aug 21, 2023
So much fun! - Highly recommend Big Creek Expeditions. Organized, efficient, seamless experience. Our guide Josh was great! He was engaging and informative about the river and took extra care easing the first timers in our group with their fears of the rapids. It's a great experience for anyone. Might seem intimidating to someone that hasn't gone white water rafting but they'll love it afterwards, I promise! Oh, and if you're looking to grab lunch after the experience, I recommend the 10 minute drive to Carver's Orchard and Applehouse! Great food!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q1811uhdavidc
Aug 21, 2023
Always a great time! - Have visited Big Creek 5 different times. Never disappointed, always a good time. We take a family vacation to Tennessee every other year and have done been Big Creek every time we have been there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ddarche
May 11, 2024
Quick and efficient, but somewhat boring. - If you are looking for a challenging and heart-stopping experience, this is not it. We did the upper pigeon fork. The river is pretty calm, with only one small class 4 rapid. You will get wet in the class 3 rapids. There is a section where some groups were able to surf, but our guide was afraid to try it. It’s a cattle car type operation where they move you through quickly and efficiently.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gilbertjudy12
Sep 17, 2023
Got cancelled - Horrible. Canceled when we showed up. Owner said would be fun for him to take us rafting. Don’t book with them!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
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June 2024
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