Just a little north of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Wildwater's Pigeon River Adventure Center, conveniently located near I-40, making it an easy 60-mile drive from downtown Asheville. You can enjoy a full day of outdoors exploration with whitewater rafting, zip line canopy tours or Jeep tours in the Smokies. Or do all three without moving your car with their "Triple Adventure!"
Whitewater Rafting in Great Smoky Mountains
The Pigeon River provides the only whitewater rafting near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Upper Pigeon River has five miles of intermediate class III and class IV rapids which provides a fun, fast-paced whitewater run through rapids named Powerhouse, Big Rock, Roller Coaster, Lost Guide, and Chubbie Checker, craving a gorge through the Great Smoky Mountains. Rafters are immediately confronted with fast moving water and standing waves. Wildwater's rafting trips run Memorial Day thru Labor Day. Pigeon River Release days are Tuesday through Thursday plus Saturday.
Fully guided rafting trips on the Lower Pigeon River in the Smokies are a great introduction to whitewater fun for anyone from four years to senior. The lazy rapids will challenge those with no whitewater experience while showing off breathtaking views of the Smokies.
Pigeon River Canopy Tours in the Great Smoky Mountains
Fly beside, above and across the Pigeon River at heights up to 120 feet above the river. This is the only zip line / canopy tour that crosses over the Pigeon River in the Great Smoky Mountains. Their Waterfall Gorge Canopy Tour takes you into the Smoky Mountain Creek Gorge exposing a lush forest of ferns, wildflowers, towering trees, rock cliffs, waterfall and moss covered bolder gardens. It includes 12 zipline sections between elevated platforms & treetop decks, four sky bridges, the “Cliff Hanger” platform perched on a 100’ rock cliff, scenic Smoky Mountain Creek cascades, and two Pigeon River crossings including the Highline, a 1200' long & 120' high final zip. The Express Zip Tour has 7 zips including 2 zips across the Pigeon River. This shorter 2 hour experience gives you a great introductory sampling of the adventure of ziplining without the commitment of the full course.
Guided Jeep Tours
Join skilled and knowledgeable local guides from Wildwater by following in the steps of the early explorers, visiting the back roads of the region and learning more about the Great Smoky Mountains. Take a fun ride in a Jeep® Wrangler converted vehicle, with an extended rear to accommodate 5 passengers and a plexiglass canopy over the roof.
Pigeon Climbing Wall
Try out Wildwater Adventure Center's 40' climbing wall with trained staff that help all participants with the safety gear and assist your climb with words of encouragement.
Directions to Wildwater Pigeon River Adventure Center
From Asheville, NC: I-40 West for 57 miles to exit 447 (in Hartford, Tennessee). Turn left under overpass. Right at gas station for 1/2 mile. Hartford has several restaurants for your dining convenience!
Wildwater Nantahala Gorge Adventure Center
See all of Wildwater's whitewater rafting, zip lines and yurts in the Nantahala Gorge and along the river.
Wildwaters Zip Lines Downtown Asheville
Near downtown, check out Asheville Zipline Canopy Adventures and Adventure Center of Asheville.
