Upper Pigeon Rafting Adventure
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Your unique, guided Whitewater Rafting expedition awaits! We offer premium adventures, catering each trip to our guests' experience level and ideal adventure type, from serene to Xtreme. Raft with our "Rat Pack" on the Pigeon River - #1 Whitewater Rafting destination in the United States.
Our Upper Pigeon expedition features five miles of scenic river with rapids ranging from class III to IV and refreshing swimming holes to enjoy along the way. Surrounded by the beauty and grandeur of the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Upper Pigeon River combines racing rapids with natural beauty to bring you the excitement of rafting in the Smoky Mountains.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
This listing is only for our 3:00PM and/or 5:00PM trips. We will check you in 30 minutes before your trip time, provide a safety speech, and then head to the river! You'll take on 2 hours of adrenaline-pumping whitewater rapids (no experience necessary), see stunning Smoky Mountain views, and make memories to last a lifetime. Want to book other trips or a full-day Daycation? Call us and we'll set up your custom full-day adventure.
Options
Upper Rafting
What‘s Included
Amenities - Picnic Areas
All Necessary Rafting Equipment (PFD, Oar, Helmet)
Amenities - Changing Rooms
Amenities - Hot Showers
Safety Instructions
Professional Guide
$2 County River Fee
Your Adventure Photos (Available for Purchase)
Raft Guide Gratuities
Food (On-Site Food Truck Available)
Drinks (Non-Alcoholic Drinks at Food Truck & Draft Beer in Gift Shop)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,813 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exhilarating adventure!
elizabethbG9828YR,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the Upper Pigeon River Adventure for $42/person on River Rat website. Our guide was Ethan and he was awesome! From beginning to end our adventure was two hours. Our adventure started right on time with safety information and gearing up. Then, there was a short bus ride to our starting point. Our total time was 2 hours with a little over an hour on the river. Our crew had so much fun and we will return!
good stuff
Gerardo M,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was awesome! Dont be scared allot more mild than expected. S/o cadens bus tales. As long as you can swim and follow instructions you will be fine
An Adventure
johnmichaeld959,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010 out of 10 — Highly Recommend! Why? The staff! That's why. The experience was outstanding from the very beginning. The merch team that helped check us in was friendly, personable, and genuinely seemed to love what they do. Their positive attitude set the tone for an incredible day. A huge thank you to Erin, Grace, Emma, and the entire whitewater rafting team for making this such a memorable experience. From the dad jokes and contagious energy to the constant encouragement throughout the day, you all went above and beyond. Your passion, attention to detail, and commitment to creating a great experience did not go unnoticed. What impressed me most was realizing how much effort goes into safely steering the raft and guiding everyone through the river. I can only imagine how sore your arms must be after a full day on the water, yet every one of you kept smiling, stayed engaged, and gave 100% from morning until night. Thank you for making this adventure such a fantastic experience. Your hard work, professionalism, and enthusiasm are truly appreciated. If you're considering whitewater rafting here, don't hesitate—it's a 10 out of 10 experience! Highly recommended. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the highlights of our trip.
Dave C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Professional friendly staff. Excellent guide. Fun activity for the whole family. Top notch equipment and operation. Beautiful river. Plenty of parking.
Outstanding experience!
Marcus S,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Outstanding experience. The guide was amazing. We had never been rafting before. We did not fall out of the boat. We had two kids with us one 13 and one 12.
Best Time of my life, so far.
Ronald M,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nolan/Balu and Jacob were the best guides and we had the best experiences. We did one trip and then did a second one an hour later.
Best time of my life
ronaldmP8189GA,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great first and second time Whitewater rafting.
Amazing
460katrinar,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Meredith was absolutely amazing! We had so much fun! Our first time and we will definitely be back to ask for Meredith!!
Great Time
DayTrip221006,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! VAL was an awesome guide- highly recommend
10/10 - shop local!
T99XRericar,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, such a great time! Our guide Stoney did a great job of explaining what to do and kept us laughing with his jokes. Request him as a guide!
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