3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
We have the best location on the Nantahala River being located right at the takeout. This means you'll only ride the bus once and you'll finish at your car. After the river, enjoy one of our two restaurants by the river.
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
The Nantahala River is perfect for first timers and experienced rafters alike. It is perfect for families, couples, and all adventurers. After checking in, you will get geared up, go through a pre-trip safety talk and video and then jump on the bus for short ride to the put-in. Then in it's down the river you go to enjoy the Nantahala's fun and splashy rapids along with the spectacular mountain scenery of the Nantahala River Gorge. The grand finale of the trip is the Class III Nantahala Falls!
Options
3-Hour Nantahala River Fully Guided Rafting Experience
What‘s Included
All necessary rafting equipment, including life jackets and helmets (optional)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
185 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Perfect summer day for a river float!
Letstravel01,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfect summer afternoon activity! Annie, our raft guide was the best! Patient with our older group members, and a great leader throughout our trip! Looking forward to the next visit!
Excellent rafting trip
X445WEvickib,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent rafting trip. It was 8 miles and took close to 2 hours. The river was full of lower class rapids. The guide was excellent!
Best white water rafting tour!!!
R1418HZtracyp,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the guided white water rafting tour today and it was absolutely amazing!! Our tour guide was Jorge and he was phenomenal!!! We had the best time!!! It was our first time rafting and we highly recommend anyone try this, you will love it!!!
Great time!
Kpacetti,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Caroline and EJ were great with all our kids. We had three adults to our 7 kids and we had a blast. We are ready to kick it up a notch with a higher class rapid.
Excellent experience
Maria G,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time! NOC did a great job to be sure we understood how to be safe on the water. The tour guide, Jasmine, was thorough and entertaining. Caroline, our guide took ensured we were safe and had fun. She gave us some information about the area and stayed calm and resourceful when we swamped the raft.
Whitewater rafting with Abi!!!!!
yehonatanp2026,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'm part of the Emerson Waldorf group and I had some of the best time of my life during the time I stayed at NOC, my favorite part by far, was whitewater rafting with Abi at 2:00pm today and I hope you thank her for me. I'm going to be back for sure and I hope it is possible to be with Abi again, Thank you so much Yehonatan!!
Safe, Fun, and Memorable Family Rafting Experience!
Sanjay Y,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience with Nantahala River Rafting! Our guide, Pep, was absolutely awesome — highly experienced, funny, and incredibly knowledgeable about both the river and the surrounding area. She made the whole trip enjoyable and informative while always making us feel safe. The rafts and equipment were all in great condition, and the overall operation felt very professional and well organized. I was initially worried about how intense rafting might be, especially with family, but the trip felt safe and comfortable throughout. Our whole family truly enjoyed the adventure. Highly recommend asking for Pep if you can!
Recommended
Aris H,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had guide Carter. He could tell nice things about the area during the trip and especially joke. Partly because of him, it has become an unforgettable experience.
Great time for all!
JenniferRN,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fortunately the weather was perfect. Jarrett was a great guide, even with his stupid jokes. 😄 Unfortunately I fell out (the water was COLD) but it was a textbook rescue and it was actually kinda fun. Good for all ages. Everyone had a great time.
Trip Advisor would not refund our money.
D5352IBcarolb,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The day of the reservation it was too cold to go when we got to Nantahala Radting. Had we booked with them directly, they would have given us a full refund, even though it was 1/2 before launch. Trip Advisor has a policy of 24 hrs free cancellation.
Related Experiences
Operated by Nantahala Outdoor Center