Private Tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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)
Options
Upper Rafting
Reviews
1,666 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great excursion
C1912YYmandym,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hands down the best day of our trip to the Smokies. The company was great. The rafting was a blast. Our guide, Brett, was awesome. Very informative, sharing fun facts abt the river and area. He was witty and fun. Highly recommend. Looking forward to returning.
Such a fun time!
melissabP4098SK,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome time rafting on our spring break vacation to Tennessee! Mike was our guide and he was amazing! He was very knowledgeable, fun and encouraging. You can tell he loves his job! Our entire experience with River Rat was great from start to finish. We needed to reschedule for a warmer day and this was no problem. They communicated well through the entire process. We had zero rafting experience before this and they taught us everything we needed to know. This was a great family adventure!
Unforgettable experience!
quynhn862,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nolon was an exceptional raft guide for my family’s first time whitewater rafting together. This activity was full of lots of laughs, big splashes, and will be an unforgettable memory for my family! Highly recommend this to anyone wanting to try whitewater rafting to reserve your tickets now!! Shout out to Nolon for the best time!!
Great time
42brycev,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time Mike did an amazing job optimizing the river to give us the best adventure! Would definitely recommend this place! They say it’s even more thrilling come summer time :)
A Ray of Sunshine (and some rain!)
jammill21,Sep 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Raya (sunshine!) was an amazing tour guide. Not only was she calm and gave outstanding directions (no one fell out!), she enlightened us with her knowledge of the region, including the hurricane floods of ‘24. The overall ride was great and we came in soaking wet. All had a great time!
Great experience
SummerBaby22,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Polly was great! Fun and knowledgeable. She took the time to show my boys 13 & 10 how to steer the boat. Energetic crew overall and my whole family loved the experience.
The most amazing water activity i have done in my life Bobbie rocks
Gaurav T,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was totally amazing , mind blowing much much better than what i expected, i have done Bungee jumping i would rate this at same thrill level, force of nature water felt all along BIG SHOUTOUT TO BOBBIE, our expert raft guide, sje made sure me and my kids were all safe as well as we had awsome experience and making it super fun for us, any one on East coast should drive down here absoloutely must have
If you are questioning whether to do this or not, just do it!!
TrailBlazer96465,Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Aaron was an excellent guide. You are “winning the guide lottery” if you get Aaron. We had a fabulous time. Learned a lot. Highly recommend!!
The Best Time
U4254QSdonnaw,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jamie was our tour guide. He was awesome & very informant of the area. We had a blast & will be back next year for our annual Tennessee trip!
River Rat Rafting Adventure
chrispW5900CA,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great trip with Chris L.! He was a very knowledgeable guide and had a lot of insight to the river and the changes that occurred due to Hurricane Helene. Highly recommend River Rat if your in the area and looking for some family fun!
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