Upcoming Events

Looking for live music, paddling competitions, retail sales, or festivals? We have it all. Don’t miss out on all of the fun – make sure to add our events to your calendar!

Oct 11

Featured

Payson’s Run 10K

October 11, 9:00 AM – October 11, 2025, 1:00 PM

Nantahala Outdoor Center

The Payson’s Run 10k is a challenging trail race entirely on NOC property and winds along Flint Ridge and the NOC zipline course! The majority of the route is on our singletrack bike trail and runners will be able to hear the water rushing from the Nantahala River below. The course starts with over 1,000 […]

Adventure

Competitions

Aug 28

Class II King Trivia Game Night @ Big Wesser

August 28, 6:00 PM – August 28, 2025, 8:00 PM

Nantahala, NC

Join us every Thursday from May 29th to September 11th for Class II King Trivia Game Night at Big Wesser! After a day on the river or hiking the AT, test your knowledge, enjoy delicious food, and sip on beer specials at our scenic riverside restaurant. This survey style trivia is paper free, and guests […]

Trivia

Aug 29

2025 Cornhole Tournaments

August 29, 5:00 PM – August 29, 2025, 8:00 PM

Weekly Cornhole Tournament at NOC! Join us for our new Weekly Cornhole Tournament at NOC, set against the stunning backdrop of the beautiful Nantahala Gorge! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just love a good game, compete with fellow bar sports enthusiasts every Friday night. Hosted in the Backyard of Big Wesser, this tournament promises friendly […]

Competitions

Food and Drink

Sep 4

Join us riverside for a monthly Artisan Market. Shop local for jewelry, pottery, unique creations and fresh goods from talented artisans and farmers each month.

Vendor Event

Sep 27

Nanty Fest

September 27, 8:00 AM – September 27, 2025, 8:00 PM

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Join us for high water on the Nantahala and a celebration of paddling at the after party on campus!

The Outdoorsman Triathlon

September 27, 12:00 AM – September 28, 2025, 12:00 AM

The 50th Annual Outdoorsman TriathlonSeptember 27–28, 2025 In 1976, NOC co-founder Payson Kennedy, alongside Olympic canoeist John Burton and Georgia Tech professor Russ Callen, issued a bold challenge: a triathlon forged in the raw elements of the Great Smoky Mountains. No frills. No handouts. Just grit, determination, and the wilderness. What began as a dare […]

Oct 3

2025 Live Like Maria Classic & US Freestyle National Championships

October 3, 10:00 AM – October 5, 2025, 5:00 PM

Nantahala, NC

The Live Like Maria Freestyle Classic and the US Freestyle National Championships return to the Nantahala Gorge this fall! Hosted by the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the ACA USA Freestyle Organization, this exciting event will take place October 3–5. Whether you’re in it for fun or aiming for the title of National Champion, this event […]

Oct 5

Southeastern US Wildwater Championships – Downriver Race

October 5, 9:00 AM – October 5, 2025, 3:00 PM

RACE DETAILS Calling all racers of all skills and boat types plus a few good volunteers! Come join the Georgia Canoeing Association on Sunday, October 5, 2025, for the 57th year of the Southeastern US Wildwater Championships, the oldest whitewater race in the Southeast. The race will be on the Nantahala River from the Forest […]

Oct 11

Riverside Artisan Market

October 11, 11:00 AM – October 11, 2025, 5:00 PM

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Join us riverside for a monthly Artisan Market. Shop local for jewelry, pottery, unique creations and fresh goods from talented artisans and farmers each month.

Vendor Event

Oct 24

Guest Appreciation Festival

October 24, 11:00 AM – October 26, 2025, 8:00 PM

Nantahala Outdoor Center

Join us for a weekend of adventure, big closeout sales, live bands and the popular Used Gear Marketplace!

Women’s Pedal Fest

November 7, 9:00 AM – November 9, 2025, 6:00 PM

Nantahala Outdoor Center

2025 Details Coming Soon!

Breakfast w/ Santa & the Merry Market

December 6, 8:00 AM – December 6, 2025, 2:00 PM

Breakfast with Santa is a magical morning for kids of all ages with delicious food and a visit from Santa himself!

Food and Drink

Retail Sale

Dates Vary

Women in the Outdoors

Join us to celebrate Women in the Outdoors! Meet up with like-minded women for fun, camaraderie, and adventure at a number of weekends this summer and fall! Women’s Kayak Retreat Join a group of women paddlers under the supportive instruction of NOC’s rock star female instructors for a weekend of paddling, yoga, and companionship. Our Women’s Kayak […]

West Fork Tuck River Releases

West Fork Tuck River

The West Fork of the Tuck is 5.5 miles of class III- IV+ whitewater, from Thorpe Dam to Thorpe Powerhouse. View the release schedules!

Multiple Dates

Ocoee River Releases 2024

Ocoee River

Ocoee whitewater with NOC is Tennessee rafting at its best. View the dam schedules including the lake levels and release schedules.

Multiple Dates

Upper Cascades Releases 2025

Nantahala River Cascades

Several times a year, Duke Energy creates more forceful water releases in this section of the Nantahala River where kayakers like to paddle and bringing onlookers to watch. NOC will provide shuttle to paddlers parking at the Cascades put-in.

Multiple Dates

Tallulah River Releases

Tallulah River

2025 Tallulah River scheduled releases are brought to you by American Whitewater. Nantahala Outdoor Center is a proud sponsor of American Whitewater’s work to protect and restore rivers across the country. Learn more about becoming an American Whitewater member here. The section of the Tallulah River that runs through the Tallulah Gorge is 3.4 miles […]

Multiple Dates

Cheoah River Releases

Cheoah River

2024 Cheoah River scheduled releases are brought to you by American Whitewater. Nantahala Outdoor Center is a proud sponsor of American Whitewater and their efforts to conserve whitewater here in the Southeast. Learn more about the non-profit organization American Whitewater and how to become a member here. The 9.25 mile section of the Cheoah River, […]