Best Whitewater Rafting Trips in Tennessee

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Plan your Smokies day with whitewater rafting on the Pigeon River, plus ziplines and horseback riding in Sevierville near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Book all your adventures here, then enjoy a scenic drive between locations, with rafting about an hour away near Hartford, TN.

Guaranteed departure days on a dam‑controlled river.

Discover Tennessee with Big Creek Expeditions

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4.9

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1.041K+ Reviews

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4.9

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1.376K+ Reviews

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4.9

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1.142K+ Reviews

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4.8

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112+ Reviews

Rafting in the Great Smoky Mountains

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At Big Creek Expeditions, adventure isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are. Since 2004, we’ve been welcoming guests to explore the stunning beauty of the Smoky Mountains with our expertly guided rafting trips on the Pigeon River. Our passionate, experienced guides are dedicated to delivering an experience that’s as thrilling as it is safe, ensuring every moment spent with us is filled with excitement and unforgettable memories.


We provide whitewater rafting trips on the “Upper Pigeon River” and scenic float trips on the “Lower Pigeon River", each with different levels of rapids and scenery ensuring you’ll enjoy every moment in the great outdoors. Whether you’re a first-time adventurer or a seasoned explorer, we specialize in creating family-friendly experiences and group adventures that leave everyone smiling.


And for those looking to make the most of their day, we offer full-day experiences that combine with zip-lining or horseback riding for the best of both worlds. Choose a combination package and enjoy more savings and more fun!

A Tennessee Experience You'll Never Forget

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Upper Pigeon River

If you have a thirst for adventure and have dreamed of paddling down a river with your friends, family or group through the Smoky Mountains, this is the trip for you. Experience the Great Smoky Mountains in a whole new way, with panoramic views of ancient mountains, thrilling rapids that will leave you soaking wet, and an immersive experience that will keep you smiling from ear to ear.

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Lower Pigeon River

If you are traveling to the Smoky Mountains and want to go rafting in Tennessee, but have children between the ages of 3 and 7 or are looking for a mild, but stunning, river experience, the Scenic Float trip is for you. Expect gorgeous mountain views, splash, swim and sight-see, sit back and relax while soaking up the sun as our guides navigate you down the most scenic stretch of river in the Great Smoky Mountains area.

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Full-Day Pigeon

Combine our Whitewater Rafting trip and Scenic Float trip for a full day of splashes, laughter, and memories. Start the day with a scenic float soaking up the sun as you wind through the Smokies on the Lower Pigeon River. Then top off the adventure as you transition to the rushing rapids of the Upper Pigeon River for an afternoon of real whitewater action. This is the BEST way to experience the Great Smoky Mountains!

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Double Upper

Run the Upper Pigeon in the morning and hit every rapid on the way down. Then take a break for lunch by the river. Bring your own or grab something from the food trucks nearby. Once you're ready, you do it all over again in the afternoon. The same gorge, the same rapids, twice the river time. Our best value trip for anyone who wants more of the Pigeon River. Ages 8+.

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Legacy Mountain Zip Line

Legacy Mountain Zipline Tours is one of the Smoky Mountains top-rated zipline experiences, boasting the longest zipline on the East coast and 360 degree views of the Smoky Mountains. Located on 400 acres of Smoky Mountain wilderness, you can experience seven cable lines up to 450 feet in the air for two and a half to three hours of high flying fun.

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Adventure Park Zip Line

Are you interested in ziplining with the whole family? Want to fly high through the Smoky Mountains on a 7 cable course totaling 2,500 feet of zipline fun? Located directly off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge, Adventure Park Ziplines is one of the most easily accessible zips in the area. Zip around a 70-acre nature park with unique views of the Smoky Mountains. Soar through the Smokies at 50 mph while smiling so hard your face will hurt.

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Horseback Riding

Experience the Smoky Mountains on horseback, with a 3.5 mile loop winding past ponds, a creek, an old moonshine still and up a ridge to million dollar views of the Smoky Mountains. Conveniently located right off the main Parkway in Pigeon Forge, horseback riding with 5 Oaks Riding Stables will leave you and your group with memories to last a lifetime.

Group Adventures

Have a group of 15 or more? Our experienced guides tailor the ride to your group, keeping it fun, memorable, and comfortable for all. You’ll laugh, cheer each other on, and leave with a memory your whole group will still be talking about long after the river.

Why Choose Big Creek Expeditions?

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Our unforgettable adventures allow you to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Smoky Mountains, feel the rush of the rapids, and create lasting memories - all in the best of hands. Our guests consistently rave about our friendly, knowledgeable guides, who go above and beyond by offering expert insights, answering all your questions, and ensuring that your adventure is as fun and enjoyable as it is thrilling.

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Safety is Our Priority

All Big Creek guide's must be certified in CPR and First Aid. All guests will be provided with top-quality safety equipment. Your safety is our highest priority.

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Expert Guides

Our guides average 10 years of rafting experience. They're here to ensure you have a blast while exploring the river’s wildest rapids, all while sharing their love for the Smoky Mountains with you.

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Convenient Facilities

With a brand new outpost we have a lot to offer such as an easy check-in process, photos to view as soon as you get off your trip, and a fully stocked store for your souvenir needs.

Thousands of 5-Star Reviews from Guests

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"We felt completely safe"

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“We had the best day with Chuy on the upper and Ian on the lower! They were the best guides. The entire time, we felt completely safe with family members ranging from 6 to 73, but they were able to show us some awesome excitement too.”

Jesse

Google

"Every person had a blast"

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"Big Creek Expeditions was AMAZING!!! We had a group of 9 people ranging in ages from 8–66. We opted for the upper pigeon river and every person had a blast. The guides were amazing, the entire staff was friendly, and the gift shop was great."

Amanda W.

Google

"They wanted to go back immediately"

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“We had our first rafting experience and it was so much fun. We went with our 8 and 10 year old and did the upper rafting — they loved it and wanted to go back immediately to do it again! Our guide was Heather and she was fantastic! Definitely will come back our next Gatlinburg trip.”

Ariel R.

Google

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4.9

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1.041K+ Reviews

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4.9

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1.376K+ Reviews

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4.9

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1.142K+ Reviews

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4.8

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112+ Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What makes Big Creek different?

    Big Creek offers top-tier guides, a variety of rafting experiences, and a focus on safety. Customers love the personalized, fun, and educational nature of the trips, ensuring everyone from beginners to seasoned adventurers feels at home.

  • Is whitewater rafting safe for first-timers?

    Absolutely! Our experienced guides are experts at making first-timers feel comfortable. We provide clear safety instructions and adjust the experience to ensure it's fun and safe for everyone.

  • What age group is best suited for rafting?

    We welcome adventurers of all ages! Our trips cater to families, with options for children as young as 6 and adults up to 70, ensuring fun for everyone in your group.

  • Can I go rafting if I can’t swim?

    Yes! Many of our guests have never swam before, and our guides are trained to ensure your safety every step of the way. We provide thorough safety briefings and make sure everyone feels secure.

  • Are there options for family-friendly rafting?

    Yes! We specialize in family-oriented experiences, with trips designed for all ages. Whether it’s a gentle float for younger children or a wild ride for teens, we cater to families of all sizes.

  • What if I’m nervous about the experience?

    We understand! Many first-time rafters share similar concerns, and our guides are fantastic at easing anxiety. They provide clear instructions, make sure you feel at ease, and create an enjoyable atmosphere.

  • Do you offer any other activities besides rafting?

    Yes! In addition to rafting, we offer ziplining and other outdoor adventures, making it easy to create a full-day adventure or a multi-day trip with diverse activities for all.

  • What are the facilities like?

    We take pride in our clean and well-maintained facilities. From spacious restrooms and changing areas to a fun gift shop, we make sure your comfort is a priority. We also offer a brand new outpost providing an easy check-in process, photos to view as soon as you get off your trip and a fully stocked store for your souvenir needs.

  • What happens if the weather is bad?

    We monitor weather conditions closely to ensure safety. In cases of extreme weather, trips may be rescheduled. Our team will work with you to ensure you have the best experience possible.

  • What are the months that you offer rafting?

    The rafting season typically runs from March to September, depending on weather conditions and water levels.