Nantahala Rafting Center and Park

Nantahala Rafting Center and Park

Blue Ridge Outing Co.'s
Nantahala Rafting Center and Park

We're the only outfitter in the Nantahala Gorge that can offer you
(1.) a great rafting trip focused on fun and safety and
(2.) access to a unique park space that has over 25 unique picnic &/or play spots, over 30 activities and games either on-site or nearby, is less than 5 minutes from the Nantahala River, yet nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the river. 

Raft the picturesque and scenic Nantahala River with over 20 whitewater rapids, ending in the classic "Little Wesser."  

Don't rush off. Make a day of it at our Nantahala Rafting Center and Park. Relax, unwind, enjoy. Share more quality time together with your family, friends, and group. Picnic by the pond, along the stream, or at the edge of the forest. Enjoy over 30 games and activities. Many are at our Rafting Center and Park. Some are nearby. We'll provide you an info sheet for the ones nearby to make it easy to get there and back.

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Murphy NC White Water Rafting

Murphy NC sits in far western NC. Three rivers are within easy driving distance for your white water rafting adventure.

The Nantahala River is about 30 minutes from Murphy. It's the "just right" river. It's got lots of fun and adventurous rapids, but is not too much for many first timers or those who are not adrenaline junkies.

The Ocoee River is about an hour from Murphy. It's the most reliable big water in the southeast U.S. It's not for the squeamish.

The Tuckaseigee River is an hour from Murphy. It's is a great family rafting river. Kids as young as age 4 can raft this fun river. It's also a great river to take a Duck (aka inflatable kayak). It's definitely white water, but definitely not big white water.

Other stretches of river are run and rafted by some paddlers, but these three give you a choice for your rafting adventure near Murphy NC.

North Carolina Rafting - Gathering of Heroes

We're starting a new program this rafting season. It's called Gathering of Heroes. It's goals are:

• Recognize unsung heroes
• Lift everyone spirits
• Highlight the heroic traits inside each of us.  

Your North Carolina rafting trip on the Nantahala River will still be the center of activity. "Gathering of Heroes" adds a something positive and fun to your experience with no added cost for you.

Each week of the rafting season we'll recognize a group of heroes. We'll announce a schedule of those who will be recognized soon.

Everyday, on every trip, you can choose and recognize the hero or heroes in your group.

Your “Raft Hero” gets…

• Special Recognition & Appreciation
• Receives a Raft Hero Certificate
• Rafts for a discounted price or for Free

For your group… 

•  It makes it a little more fun for everyone in the group
•  A digital photo of your group taken at our Rafting Center will be available for everyone to download for free.
•  It helps bring the group together around a positive thing.

Get details on your North Carolina Rafting - Gathering of Heroes.

Youth Group Rafting

Whitewater Rafting is a great youth group adventure. Through our USA Raft affiliation, we have over 20 years of youth group rafting experience on the Nantahala River.

Your youth group rafting adventure on the Nantahala River helps your group have real life experience with teamwork, listening, hard work, reliance on other, trust, discipline, and respect. These are all critical life values. And, it's great fun.

You can get our 2009 Youth Group Rafting Organizer to help you plan your youth group rafting adventure.

It's a great experience for church groups, Scouts and other youth groups.

Nantahala River Dam Releases

The stretch of river we use for white water rafting on the Nantahala River lies just below Nantahala Lake. Water is pulled from the lake for power generation and released into the river. Duke Energy operates the dam. They post a schedule of projected water releases for the Nantahala River.

Water is released into the river most days from spring through fall. The dam and turbine system is a mechanical system. It's in good shape and well maintained, but breakdowns are possible and do happen. It's unusual, but it does happen.

Nantahala Lake and the dam system give the Nantahala River some of the most reliable water for rafting in the eastern U.S. Rain or drought, the water keeps flowing without dramatic changes in the level of the water.

Cherokee NC, Places to Stay

Cherokee NC has been a popular vacation destination for many years. The Cherokee Indian Reservation sits nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. A large part of Cherokee is bordered by the National Park.

In Cherokee, you can experience the unique culture and history of these Native Americans and have access to unparalleled outdoor beauty and adventure.

Cherokee is home to a Harrah's casino. It' there if you want to participate, but Cherokee is a town with a casino, not a casino town. It's easy to enjoy a great time in and around Cherokee without giving a thought to the casino.

There are many places to stay in and around Cherokee. Many chain hotels & motels are available. There are several great campgrounds. Cabins and vacation rental homes dot the mountains. You can get more details on Cherokee lodging from the visitors center.

Nantahala Rafting Opening Day 2009, May 15th

For 2009 only, we at Blue Ridge Outing Company will be opening on May 15th. We are making changes to all of our programs as we switch from USA Raft Nantahala to Blue Ridge Outing Company. We are taking this one time late opening to help with the changes.

Other outfitters will be operating on the Nantahala River starting in early March. You can check the web or give us a call or email and we'll refer to someone who can take you before we open.

We are now taking reservations for May 15th and beyond. Give us a call to reserve at 800-745-9356

Great Smoky Mountains

Your Great Smoky Mountains National Park is near our rafting centers. The Park covers large parts of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina.

There is no whitewater rafting in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but there are two white water rivers in North Carolina and one in Tennessee, that are great and are near the Park. These rivers are certainly part of the natural area covered by the Smokies. In Tennessee, the Pigeon River near Sevierville is popular. In North Carolina, you can choose the Nantahala River or the Tuckaseigee River.

On the North Carolina side of the Smokies, you can access the National Park from Cherokee, Bryson City, & Maggie Valley. Cherokee is the main entrance and has more information available. Byrson City has Deep Creek and some nice trails. Maggie Valley has elk. These were reintroduced to the Smokies a few years ago. Some herds have had more success than others. The one in Maggie Valley is one that is still going strong.

Much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is remote backcountry. But there are many places you can enjoy the park without being a hardened trekker. There's lot of books and information available on the web. The official site of this National Park is good place to start.

Inflatable Kayak Trips

The Nantahala and Tuckaseigee rivers are great for inflatable kayak trips.

The Tuckaseigee River is milder, warmer, and the rapids more forgiving. This makes the Tuck a great inflatable kayak trip for many people.

We have one and two person inflatable kayaks on our Tuckaseigee inflatable kayak trips. Adventurous nine year olds and up can take a solo inflatable kayak on the Tuck. Younger kids can go with an adult. Two teens in a tandem inflatable kayak also works great on the Tuck. Two adults and/or an adult and a child also do great in a tandem inflatable kayak on the Tuckaseigee River.

The Nantahala River is much cooler, the rapids are bigger, and there are more rapids. The cooler and more active Nantahala can be a challenging inflatable kayak trip. It can be a great trip for adventurous teens and adults. Pre-teens can ride with an adult in a tandem inflatable kayak or in a raft.

Bryson City Whitewater Rafting

Bryson City North Carolina sits quietly on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a popular destination if you are interested in outdoor pursuits and if you want to visit a place that has not been over taken by "touristy" activities.

Byson City is certainly welcoming to visitors, but it still has a small town attitude. There are a few hotels and motels in the area, several great campgrounds and a wide range of cabins and vacation rental homes. Check with the Bryson City Chamber for details.

Bryson City is a popular place to stay for rafters. It's about 15 minutes from the Nantahala River and about 15 minutes from the whitewater stretch of the Tuckaseigee River. The Tuckaseigee River flows through Bryson City, it is mostly mild as it flows through the town.  

There are many many great places to hike nearby. Choose a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park or the Nantahala National Forest. The Deep Creek area of the National Park borders Bryson City NC. It's a popular spot for hiking, camping and tubing in the summer.

Fontana Lake is a large TVA lake that is just minutes from Bryson City. It's popular for motor boating and many people now use it for flat water kayaking.

If you want more activity, the Cherokee Indian Reservation is just minutes away.

Waynesville's Historic Downtown

Clean, fresh, vibrant, walkable, shoppable, crafts and character. Historic Downtown Waynesville takes you back to a time when downtown was the center of activity for any rural area. And, it does it with style and charm.

Shoppers will find numerous unique shops. You'll find a variety of restaraunts, ranging from the elegant (and pricey) Lomo Grill to burger and sandwich pubs.

Street events and festivals are scheduled throughout the year.

Waynesville is centrally located in the NC Smoky Mountains. You can reach it easily from most locations and most attractions and activities are within an easy drive.