East Tennessee Whitewater

Story by Emily Stevens

Some of the best whitewater in the country is right here in East Tennessee. Indeed, four great rivers for whitewater adventures are easy day trips from Knoxville. The Pigeon River near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge; The Ocoee River east of Cleveland, (site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater course); the Watauga River near Elizabethton; and the Nantahala River just across the border in North Carolina.

High time for whitewater is May through September. Whether your jam is kayaking, canoeing, rafting, or tubing, the region has you covered. Prepare for adventure, and prepare to get wet.

Outfitters

River Sports OutfittersKnoxville, TN riversportsoutfitters.com

Rock Creek OutfittersChattanooga, TN rockcreek.com

Uncle Lem’s OutfittersKnoxville, TN unclelems.comPigeon River

River John’s OutfittersTownsend, TN riverjohns.com

Rapid ExpeditionsHartford, TN rapidexpeditions.comNantahala River

Nantahala Outdoor CenterMultiple locations in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee noc.comOcoee River

Cascade OutdoorsOcoee, TN cascadeoutdoors.com

Raft OneDucktown, TN raft1.comWatauga River

Watauga KayakElizabethton, TN wataugakayak.com