Lower Pigeon River Rafting: Scenic Float Trip
Product ID: 65173
Supplied by: Big Creek Expeditions
Traveling to the Smoky Mountains and want to go rafting in Tennessee, but have children between the ages of 3 and 7 or are looking for a mild (but stunning!) river experience, the Scenic Float trip is for you. Expect gorgeous mountain views, splash, swim and sight-see, sit back and relax while soaking up the sun as our guides navigate you down the most scenic stretch of river.
Groups over 6 might be split up to different boats by Vendor.
Booking Note: This activity is in high demand, and availability must be confirmed. After receiving your booking, we will check availability with our partner. Once confirmed, you will receive an email from [email protected] with your confirmation number and trip details.
Our trips run throughout the late spring and summer season, typically from April through Late September, weather and river conditions permitting.
Highlights
- 6 miles on the river, lasting roughly 1.5 hours
- Panoramic, breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains
- Great for families with children under 8 years old
- Opportunities to swim, splash and see wildlife
Additional Information
Never rafted before? Don't worry. You are not required to have any previous experience. Your safety and satisfaction are of the utmost importance to us, and that's why we maintain a staff of highly experienced and professional guides.
RESTRICTIONS
Age: Participants must be 3 years old to experience the Scenic Float on the Lower Pigeon.
Weight: Guests must be able to wear a Type V PFD, fitting chest measurements of 58"".
All participants must shoes with a heel strap. Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
CHECKING IN
The time slot that you reserve is your check-in time. No need to arrive any sooner. The orientation talk will begin as soon as all guests are checked in and ready to raft. After booking your trip, you will receive a confirmation email that will include a link to our online waiver signing system. You can help ensure the check-in process goes quickly by having all responsible parties in your group fill out a waiver prior to arriving at our outpost.
Cancellation policy
To modify/cancel, notify us 72hrs before. Otherwise, a no-show or late cancellation will incur a charge on your credit card for the full reservation.
Know before you go
WHAT TO WEAR & BRING
Any shoes with a heel strap, like:
Sneakers
Chaco Sandals
Water Shoes
Anything you're comfortable getting wet in, like:
Bathing suit
Active wear
Quick-dry clothing
Polyester/synthetic blends
Optional:
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Shower supplies
Packed-lunch
Dry clothes/shoes for after the trip
DIRECTIONS
From Pigeon Forge, TN (Approx. 1hr depending on traffic)
Take US-411 North for approximately 20 miles to I-40 East toward Asheville.
You will be on I-40 for approximately 20 minutes until getting off at exit #447 Hartford.
At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left at the stop sign.
Once you arrive at the intersection, continue straight for 0.3 miles and look out for the sign for Big Creek Expeditions.
Turn left down the drive directly before the bridge.
You have arrived at our outpost (the check-in office is to your right).
Please follow the parking signs and then head to the office to check in for your trip!
From Gatlinburg, TN (Approx. 45mins depending on traffic)
From downtown Gatlinburg, you can find US-321 North at traffic light #3.
Continue on US-321 for approximately 20 miles until you come to the first stop sign in Cosby, TN.
At the stop sign, you will turn left and follow for 1.8 miles. After 1.8 miles you will see the brown National Park sign for the Foothills Parkway.
Turn right onto Foothills Parkway.
You will be on the Foothills Parkway for about 6 miles until merging onto I-40 East.
Continue of I-40 East to exit # 447 Hartford (the first exit after merging onto I-40 East).
At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left at the stop sign.
Once you arrive at the intersection, continue straight for 0.3 miles and look out for the sign for Big Creek Expeditions.
Turn left down the drive directly before the bridge.
You have arrived at our outpost (the check-in office is to your right).
Please follow the parking signs and then head to the office to check in for your trip!
Overview
The Lower Pigeon River Rafting Scenic Float trip is perfect for guests wanting to spend time on the water but not quite ready for the action of the Upper Section White Water Rafting trip. As the river curves it's way through the gorge, it calms down a bit and offers introductory Class I-II rapids. Guaranteed to help you take a break from the rush of life, slow down to relax, and soak up the sun. Opportunities to see wildlife, flowers and trees indigenous to the Smoky Mountains while surrounded by panoramic, breathtaking mountain views.
WHAT TO EXPECT
After traveling to our outpost, you will check in through our retail office. Once all guests have checked in, your trip will be announce and one of our guides will give you an orientation speech. Each group will be assigned their very own guide who will gear you up with the proper safety equipment and ensure that everything is properly fitted. Feel free to ask them any of your burning questions - they love what they do and are always happy to help. After everyone is geared up and ready to go, you will walk to the river where your raft will be waiting for you. Your guide will teach you how to properly sit in the boat and how to paddle, then it’s officially time to head downstream through one of the most scenic stretches of river in the Great Smoky Mountains area. You can expect a few long stretches of Class I water, where you can splash your friends, take a swim, and spot turtles, blue heron, osprey and sometimes even eagles. The Class I water is disrupted by Class II waves like the Ledges, where you can expect a fun splash. Surrounding you are peaks of the Smokies reaching up to 6,000 feet in elevation, like Mt. Cammerer and Mt. Guyot. At Pebble Beach, a photographer will be on the bank taking your raft’s photos, which will be available to view upon your return to our retail office. After six miles of panoramic mountain views and family-friendly fun and relaxation, you will arrive at the Freeman Park takeout. Your guides will load up the rafts and everyone will take a short ten minute bus ride back to our outpost where you will return your safety gear, shower and change into dry clothing, and head to the office to check out your photos.
