Whitewater Rafting in Western North Carolina

April 20, 1:38 AMCarolinas Travel ExaminerPaul McDaniel

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Carolinas Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Whitewater Rafting on Nantahala River, NC

Now that we’re heading into the warmer months of spring and summer, it’s time to start thinking about and planning various outdoor activities. One great outdoor activity is whitewater rafting, of which there are many opportunities both right here in Charlotte and in the Southern Highlands just to the west.

Whitewater rafting is an exciting and fun sport that can be enjoyed by many different people from a variety of skill levels and ages. Although every river is unique, people of wide-ranging whitewater rafting experience levels - from beginner to advanced - should be able to find an experience that suits their preferences. A whitewater rafting trip is an excellent opportunity for a family or group activity, and is also a superb exercise in teambuilding and teamwork. Rafting also allows people to enjoy beautiful outdoor scenery from different perspectives and angles.

One of the more prominent areas in the eastern United States for whitewater rafting experiences is in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains and foothills of the Southern Highlands in western North Carolina.

The specific rivers in western North Carolina that are popular for whitewater rafting include:

• Nantahala River
• French Broad River
• Chattooga River (in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia)
• Tuckasegee River
• Cheoah River

Use the internet to search for a range of whitewater rafting outfitter and expedition companies that lead guided rafting trips on the above rivers in western North Carolina. If the company is reputable, then the website should list their various rafting trips and itineraries in detail (and give information about skill levels needed for each trip, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced, and the class of rapids the trip will pass through). The site should also offer helpful information about each trip and about each river the company guides on, as well as a list prices for the types of packages offered. 

Once you decide on a particular trip on a specific river, contact a rafting company and book your adventure. Now you will be on your way to a fun and exciting day of whitewater rafting in western North Carolina! 

Also keep these suggestions in mind as you prepare for your adventure:

• If you are already in the area, whitewater rafting is a good day trip.
• The rivers mentioned are also good for kayaking.
• If you live in Charlotte, remember that the U.S. National Whitewater Center is right nearby.
• If you are willing to travel a bit further, you may want to look into the various whitewater rafting opportunities available in northwest South Carolina, northeast Georgia, and in the mountains of east Tennessee.
• When you do go on a rafting trip, be sure to pay attention to all the safety procedures, rules, and commands issued by the raft guide. 

Adventure Travel 2009

Looking for an adrenaline rush this summer? Check out Examiner.com's nationwide network of Travel Examiners for a guide to the season's greatest thrills, best deals and exotic destinations.

 

Family Vacations

Find more family-friendly travel ideas, tips and deals for the summer from Examiner.com's nationwide network of Travel Examiners. From budget-friendly fun to adventures of a lifetime, they have your vacation covered.

 

The Great American Road Trip

Let Examiner.com's nationwide network of Travel Examiners and Transportation Examiners guide you to America's best roadside attractions, highways, dining, and driving tips of the summer.