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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Equipment included: life jacket, helmet and paddle
Lunch and Snacks are not included
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.
Reviews
580 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
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
Absolutely Amazing!
Donna W,
Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a blast white water rafting. Our tour guide was Steve he was great. We would definitely go back to Big Creek Expeditions!
waste of money!
lorrieh545,
Aug 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00first, I would say that the people work in there were very friendly, but what I experienced was far from Whitewater rafting. and I chose the higher level so I can experience all that the river has unfortunately we had two little drops of fun the rest I felt like I was floating on a lazy river. I was so disappointed. I really wanted my family to experience the fun of Whitewater rafting, but this just wasn’t it please don’t waste your money.
Experience was OK but not as advertised
Leslie C,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00It wasn’t nearly as long as advertised but still fun. We were only on water for 40 min and advertised as 1.5 hr which was disappointing. Expect to wear close toed shoes which will get soaked unless want to pay $18 for a pair or water shoes.
River rafting
822bejinb,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a really good experience as first timers and our guide GILLY was really friendly and informative I would recommend this location for everyone
Was not fun at all.
slynn052477,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00It was not fun at all. Our tour guide was boring. I was so ready for it to be over. There was nothing adventures about this company
From $46.00
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Operated by Big Creek Expeditions