Pigeon River Rafting: Upper Pigeon Gorge
Distance: 5 Miles
Duration: 2.5 Hours
Price: From $40
Age: 8+ years
Weight Range:70+ Pounds
Intensity: Intermediate
The Pigeon River provides a popular whitewater rafting option for guests staying in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or the national park in Eastern Tennessee. Its fast shuttle and quick 5 miles of splashing wave trains and bouncy hydraulics make this the most convenient river tour NOC offers. With nearly-continuous Class II-IV rapids like Lost Guide and Accelerator and views into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Upper Pigeon delivers. This trip on the Pigeon can be combined with a visit to Big Creek—one of the Smokies’ most impressive campgrounds.
NOC provides all the necessary gear and equipment.
What our Guests are Saying:
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Guest Testimonials
Can't WAIT To Do This Again!!
By: Sharon M.
Mission, TX
Fantastic experience. Check in is cordial and informative. There are choices for age groups and experience desired. We wanted to feel class IV rapids and that's exactly what we got, with a thorough explanation of how to handle an out-of-boat experience. Equipment is first class and our guide was exceptional. Lots of stories and explanations of the river and how to react to different scenarios the river might create. I can't WAIT to do this again!!
Delighted With The Experience
By: Chris F.
Birmingham, AL
My 14-year old daughter and I booked a whitewater trip with NOC on the Upper Pigeon and were delighted with the experience. The facilities at the whitewater location were excellent in comparison to other whitewater facilities I've been to. The staff on the river were extremely polite, helpful, and a pleasure to work with. Most everyone in our 3 boats had never been before and the staff put them all at ease and made it very fun for everyone. I was very pleased with their courteous and helpful attitudes. They were all very knowledgeable of the river, the names of the rapids and other things of interest regarding the river and surrounding area.
The whitewater trip was a success and my teenage daughter is ready to go again. Well done NOC!
A pleased dad.
The Gold Standard in Whitewater Action
By: Steve C.
Memphis, TN
We have used NOC previously for the Nantahala River and Ocoee River. These guys are the gold standard in whitewater action. This was our first trip on the Pigeon and it was a really good trip. It was a great trip for our kids' first whitewater (8 and 12 year old). This river is between Nantahala and Ocoee as far as whitewater thrills. Charlie was our guide and he made it a great trip, especially for the kids. My son found a new friend in Charlie. NOC will be your best bet when it comes to Southeastern whitewater. Experienced guides, good equipment, safe, and friendly.
River Guides
Alex Wolff
Experienced kayak and registered nurse, Alex spends his summers on the Pigeon River.
Tim Brainard
Tim is a Pigeon River Head Guide and a designer of the 2013 ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup Feature.
Jonny Horton
Jonny boasts the record for the fastest check-out on all 7 NOC rivers.
Outpost Overview
NOC's Pigeon River Outpost in Hartford, Tennessee has a park-like setting, with convenient parking, an impressive picnic pavilion, a shady riverside path, and a gigantic field for playing volleyball or a simple frolic. Pigeon rafting trips meet at this outpost.
Onsite facilities include:
- Clean restrooms
- Private changing facilities
- Hot showers
- Picnic tables
- Outpost store with t-shirts, snacks, drinks, sunblock, and other sundries
- Digital slideshow of your rafting trip
Directions
All Pigeon River trips depart from our Pigeon Outpost, located just off of I-40 on the northeastern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
From Asheville:Take I-40 West towards Knoxville. Eight miles after the NC/TN state line, take Exit 447 (Hartford Rd). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go under I-40. Then turn right onto Hartford Rd. Drive 1/4 mile and turn left at the NOC sign, just as the road starts to bend left. Follow the gravel driveway to our Pigeon River Outpost. Welcome!
From Knoxville: Follow I-40 East towards Asheville, then take Exit 447 (Hartford Rd). If you pass the TN/NC state line, you've missed the exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Hartford Rd. Drive 1/4 mile and turn left at the NOC sign, just as the road starts to bend left. Follow the gravel driveway to our Pigeon River Outpost. Welcome!
From Gatlinburg: Take Hwy 321 North to Cosby (light #3 in Gatlinburg). At stop sign in Cosby, make the left turn to stay on 321 (this is a T intersection). Continue on 321 until you reach I-40. Take I-40 East towards Asheville, then take Exit 447 (Hartford Rd). If you pass the TN/NC state line, you've missed the exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto Hartford Rd. Drive 1/4 mile and turn left at the NOC sign, just as the road starts to bend left. Follow the gravel driveway to our Pigeon River Outpost. Welcome!
