White Water Rafting Experience on the Upper Pigeon River
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The Pigeon River gorge cuts east to west across the Smoky Mountains from North Carolina and into Tennessee. As one of the most popular rafting trips in America, the Upper Section of the Pigeon River offers guests with the best introduction to whitewater anywhere.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Guests will then meet their personal guide and recieve the necessary equipment Including: life jacket, helmet and paddle.
After your guide double-checks to make sure all equipment is fitted properly, guests then hop on our bus for a short 10-minute ride to the launching point for your trip.
What To Expect
Pigeon River
The Pigeon River gorge cuts East to West across the Smoky Mountains from North Carolina and into Tennessee, offering paddlers panoramic views of the Great Smoky Mountains while cooling off from the summer heat.
The Upper Pigeon River White Water Rafting trip is the most remarkable rafting experience in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville areas. A short 45 minute drive will land you at Big Creek Expeditions, where you and your group will make memories to last a lifetime while experiencing the Great Smoky Mountains the way they were intended to be enjoyed—in the great outdoors.
Options
Spring Whitewater Trip
3-hour rafting adventure on the Upper Section of the Pigeon River. 10 Class III rapids and 3 Class IV rapids, but past experience is not required. Available for ages 8 and up.
Summer Whitewater Trip
Summer Whitewater Trip Hourly: 3-hour rafting adventure on the Upper Section of the Pigeon River. 10 Class III rapids and 3 Class IV rapids, but past experience is not required. Available for ages 8 and up.
What‘s Included
Equipment included: life jacket, helmet and paddle
Lunch and Snacks are not included
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
587 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Family friendly adventure
Pioneer47089742202,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Winderful family friendly experience! Our guide Parrish was great!
White water rafting on Upper Pigeon was so fun!
971devonk,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Upper Pigeon rafting with Darrell B. He was funny and entertaining. Our 9 and 11 year old old girls had a blast. Company was very professional, staff all very friendly, and gift shop had everything.
The Best Thing We Did
brandisL4336BW,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10 experience. We went on a bachelorette trip and could not have asked for better guides, staff, and drivers. Gilly and Bailey (the bestie queens who deserve all the love and good grace in the world) got our girl boat for the trips and they were such a vibe. They love their jobs and you can tell. It’s not easy guiding through rapid water with such noobs, but they do it with ease, style, and enough charisma to have the whole boat laughing and having the best time of their lives. If you do ANYTHING while here, white water rafting with Big Creek Adventures is a must. Their top priority is safety and the next is having a good time! And if they see this - I appreciate you so much.
Great time on the river!
568kelliev,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went rafting with Big Creek Expeditions the first week in May and had a great time! The facility was really nice and clean. They even had a separate building to change and get ready for the trip. They gave us jackets to wear in case the water was too cold and we were very comfortable. Our guide told us a lot about the river and made it fun. It was a good introduction to rafting for our elementary aged sons.
Safe and fun, great guides… a must do
Louise B,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Upon arrival the venue is clean, modern and has excellent changing & Shower facilities. The check in process was easy as I did this online prior to attending. The safety talk was thorough and detailed without being boring. The rafting itself was just so much fun, our guide was informative not only talking to us about rafting but also local knowledge and stories from a previous storm, this was obviously between rapids. There was a complete mixture of ages, sizes and experiences… a must do for anyone! The photo package was of really good quality and reasonably priced. I originally booked for a different day but needed to move my booking. The correspondence was really good and with no hesitation they moved my booking.
Great fun experience for family
jmmoncur,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful fun experience for family! Guide made sure we were safe but had fun. Informative info about each rapid we encountered. The 1 hour rafting just enough excitement for us. They even loaned my son a helmet with mount for his GoPro camera to film our experience.
Fun times for all!
K5741RXkimberlyd,Sep 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went rafting with Big Creek again!! Nine ladies from Florida on a girls trip. We were nervous because last year we had Davo as our guide and he was no longer there. We felt no one could top him, but let me tell you Parrish was just as amazing! What a fun time making memories. He was the absolute best. Because of him we will be back! I highly recommend you book your trip with Big Creek and ask for Parrish! You wont be disappointed.
Big Creek Rafting - Highly Recommend
760alecc,Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Big Creek is a fantastic and affordable white water rafting experience and one of the best in East Tennessee! Choose Big Creek over River Rat or Smoky Mountain. Their guides are better and it is slightly cheaper.
Excellent
lovemyholidays1979,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent activity defo recommend to go with this company. Caedan was an excellent guide and made the trip so much fun. The water was surprisingly warm to say it had been raining and clouded over.
Best water rafting company
sabrinatarona,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.005 out of 5 This company is the best I always a great experience the instructors are always fun and nice I will always stick with Big Creek expedition
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Operated by Big Creek Expeditions