The vast Pigeon River that resides mainly in East Tennessee is home to a wide array of exciting things to do and places to see. No trip to Pigeon River is complete without taking some time to go rafting. These unforgettable adventures will pique the interest of anyone you travel with, whether they are 8 or 80. Situated just over 20 miles from Gatlinburg, any outdoor and nature lover will enjoy taking a few hours out of their day to go river rafting.
Offers Thrilling Experiences
Rafting is extremely popular within the Smoky Mountains, with no destination more popular for rafting than Pigeon River, due largely to the fact that it offers a wide range of different experiences that you can partake in. Along the prongs and forks of the river, you’ll spot some enchanting wildlife that make their home in the Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re spending time rafting along the Upper Pigeon River or Lower Pigeon River, you can expect a single trip to take anywhere from 2-4 hours, keeping your adrenaline pumping and a smile on your face all the way through.
Given that Pigeon River sits along the edge of the Smoky Mountains and is just nearby Gatlinburg, you can easily plan your day around a rafting trip while still leaving plenty of time to visit other interesting attractions in the area. Pigeon River rafting experiences are guided, so you can be 100 percent confident that you’ll be safe and protected during the trip.
Provides Rafting Experiences For Everyone
No matter how experienced you are with rafting, the Pigeon River offers something for everyone. Even the most intense portions of the river are still relatively safe, so don’t hesitate to try some of the more thrilling Class 4 rapids even if you have little experience. Rafting trips make great excursions for couples, families, groups, or even individuals who just want to have some peace and quiet while out on the waters. Even if you’ve never held a paddle before, you’ll quickly learn how easy it is to handle the raft.
When you’re set on taking a rafting trip to Pigeon River, you should know more about the guides that travel with each raft and how they assist you during the adventure. While one of the primary reasons that a guide travels with each group is to keep everyone aboard the raft as safe as possible, they also tell stories of the river and the nearby mountains that will entertain and keep you enthralled even during the quieter portions of the rapids. They’ll also tell you everything you need to know about white water rafting, including tips that you can use in future excursions when a guide may not be present.
Difference Between Upper and Lower Pigeon River
When considering a Pigeon River rafting trip, the first decision you’re going to want to make is what type of adventure you wish to go on. There are four different classes of rapids that you can go rafting on, the easiest of which are the Class 1 rapids and the most difficult of which are the Class 4 ones. While these classes are increasingly intense as you go along, Class 1 and 2 rapids are open to anyone from the age of 3 and up, which is perfect if you’re bringing along the entire family. Though Class 3 and 4 rapids are more difficult and provide a more thrilling and exciting experience, children as young as 8 years old can still travel on these rafting trips, allowing you to experience some of the more intense rapids even when traveling with children.
If you’ve never been to Pigeon River before, you should know that the Class 1 and 2 rapids can be found in Lower Pigeon River, while the Class 3 and 4 rapids are located in the Upper Pigeon River. Some of the Class 4 rapids you won’t want to miss include Double Reactionary, Accelerator, and Lost Guide. Along the lower section of the river is the scenic route. You’ll be floating pleasantly on the water throughout most of the trip, providing you with ample opportunity to admire the scenery and plant-life that’s so prevalent along the river.
Even the more intense rapids offer some moments for you to relax, providing you with a wide range of experiences in one trip. The Class 3 and 4 rapids deliver bumpy waters and wonderful mountain views. Many of the rafting trips available at Pigeon River extend anywhere from 3-6 miles in length, offering a great variety of locales that you won’t want to miss out on.
Important Rafting Info
Being as prepared as possible for a rafting trip at Pigeon River allows you to just sit back, relax, and have fun while on vacation. As such, there’s some pertinent information that you should be aware of before taking your trip. First of all, the rafts are spacious and can fit seven people aside from the guide. At the lower portion of Pigeon River, you can expect gentle waves and scenic views. On the other hand, the upper portion of the river offers huge splashes, so you’ll want to make sure that your life jacket is secure. Along with life jackets, you’ll also be provided with helmets to wear.
In order to make sure that a raft is available on the day you would like to take to the waters, call the trip provider to check availability and perhaps book one of the rafts. There are a total of 12 rapids on the river, each of which offers unique scenery that can make one trip entirely different from another. If you decide to take one of the calmer rafting trips along the Class 1 and 2 rapids, you’ll even have the opportunity to swim during the adventure.
Whether you’re visiting the Pigeon River with your family, friends, or significant other, the rafting trips available at the river will provide you with an experience you won’t soon forget.
