Upper Pigeon River: Whitewater Rafting Smokies Vacations

A vital part of holidays in the Smokies, the Pigeon offers the nearest whitewater rafting adventure to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • NOC Pigeon Outpost - The Pigeon River is the closest and most popular whitewater adventure for travelers staying in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN. Splashing wave trains and bouncy hydraulics make this a fun trip for both first-time and experienced rafters. The trip provides nearly-continuous Class II-IV rapids like Lost Guide and Accelerator…
What's Included
  • All necessary river gear and equipment provided by NOC.
Location
NOC Pigeon Outpost
Hartford Road
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(35 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Dougdq2217qs
Sep 2, 2026
Great Whitewater Rafting Experience - Outstanding! The entire team did an outstanding job and worked together to make the experience enjoyable and fun. We had Sarah as our guide and she did a great job of keeping us entertained, informed and safe. Two other staff members, Justin and Thomas, joined us for the trip and did a great job of adding to the commentary and enjoyment. Highly recommend adding this adventure to your vacation plans!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carlab840
Jul 30, 2026
Even in a storm, best rafting ever! - We got there in the middle of a storm and things were still very organized and set. It was a group of 9 - half family and friends and we were split. The guides were all enthusiastic and professional. Our guide for the rafting was Will and he was great. I felt comfortable that he was more than competent and we had an amazing time. With the rain - we got a lot more water and rapid action than expected. Would recommend to anyone! The pictures were great too!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Irene_n
Jul 27, 2026
A Refreshing Bout with Nature! - The staff were very welcoming from the beginning. We checked in with Sarah, who gave us the run down of what to expect and most importantly the safety presentation. Paul was our guide, who helped us fit our vests and helmets. We took a short bus ride to the starting point and unloaded the rafts. The view was amazing from the start. And then we were off to a great rafting experience. We were all nervous, as being our first time. Paul gave clear instructions and got us through those rapids.. the water was so refreshing. We had such a great time. There was a changing area and showers available. What a great afternoon!
Review provided by Viator
Erica
Jul 8, 2026
Wonderful Time Rafting - We had a wonderful experience with the Nantahala Outdoor Center Upper Pigeon River Rafting adventure! The weather and water temperature were perfect, making it a great way to spend the day outdoors. The staff was informative, energetic, and did an amazing job keeping everyone engaged—especially during the July 4th holiday celebration! Our river guide was fantastic and helped make the trip fun, exciting, and safe for everyone. We even took a moment to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” (not exactly a professional performance, but definitely a memorable one)!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chelsea_k
Jun 12, 2026
Do it! You won’t regret it! - Definitely a fun experience for both adults and kids. The guides make it fun and are knowledgeable about the area. Great breathtaking views. Highly recommend!! Our favorite thing we did while we were there. Show up 30 Mins early to fill out waivers and wear shoes with backs on them or you will have to purchase some.
Review provided by Viator
U2450lxcoreys
Jun 1, 2026
Excellent Experience - I went down the river in mid-May, and we had a great experience with NOC (Upper Pigeon River). On our first day, because I am a bit spacey, I somehow ended up in the middle of the mountains with no gas station nearby and on Empty. Thankfully, I noticed it when we were very close to a rest area, so we did not end up stranded on the side of the road. Triple A came out, and all was well, but we missed our original rafting time. When we called NOC Upper Pigeon, they allowed us to reschedule for the next day without any fee or hassle. I was very grateful for that because it would have been awful to have to pay again just because we missed it. The check-in process was very smooth. Everything was clearly explained; the instructions were easy to follow, the bus ride was short, and the bus was clean. "@b****nee" was our guide, and she was really great at her job. You could tell she genuinely enjoyed it, and she shared a lot of interesting information about the river. One of the best parts was that she tried to get a sense of whether we wanted a more adventurous ride or something a little calmer. Being able to tailor the experience a bit to what we wanted made it even better. At one of the rapids, I ended up falling out of the raft (it happens), and "@b****nee" basically turned into Hercules and helped me get back in easily. I am not someone who is very easy to please, but @b****nee was excellent. You can tell she enjoys what she does, and she was also very hospitable, professional, and reassuring throughout the trip. Overall, it was a great experience. Tipping is optional, of course, but after the trip I definitely felt our guide deserved one. After we left, I attempted to give my friend who was with us her Venmo information so he could tip her as well, but he could not find her on the app. If the business reads this, I hope they can confirm with her that she received one from me on 5/21 (the late trip) ??!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaylapl2256tp
Aug 31, 2025
Great Experience - The trip was great we had a great guide named Paul. I actually fell in and he jumped into action so fast one of the best experiences I've ever experienced honestly. I would definitely recommend and do this again at this beautiful location... beautiful site. Welcoming and joyful guides. Over all 10/10. Tips: always listen to your guide and make sure safety gear is on properly and have fun but most importantly be aware.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Klhornfeck
Jun 26, 2025
Fantastic Day on the Pigeon River! - Amazing experience! Terrific guides made the experience really fun! Beautiful scenery and challenging rapids make it an unforgettable experience. Ask for Elisabeth as your guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coladyroadwarrior
Aug 26, 2024
Sarah is a top notch guide - We enjoyed our time on the Upper Pigeon with guide Sarah, who was also the lead guide / trip coordinator / narrator. She had a giddy for what she does for a living. The Upper Pigeon is short but sweet. NOC guides ensure you when fun and stay safe.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah
Aug 18, 2024
Rafting with Teens - My husband, my kids (11 and 15), and I went white water rafting for the first time with NOC on the Upper Pigeon River. We loved it. Our guide, Sarah, was fun, personable, and professional. The company is focused on safety and we all felt comfortable. The rapids were better than I expected and we would definitely take this trip again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor