This was an amazing experience for our family with two teenagers. My daughter has learning delays…read moreso we wanted something that would be suitable for all of us so chose the upper river with class 1-2 rapids. The trip was perfect with several fun rapid dips and splashes but also calm moments to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Other raft riders even got out to float for a bit. Our guide, Moss, was awesome at accommodating our family and made it lots of fun and very knowledgeable with maneuvering the river. Highly recommend!

We visited Gatlinburg TN in late June and didn't decide to book whitewater rafting until a few days…read moreprior our reservation. We had no issues finding a date available, but some scheduled times were already booked out, so make sure to reserve ahead of time! There are SEVERAL whitewater rafting companies and I cannot speak for the other companies, but I had a very pleasant time with Rafting In the Smokies! Our rafting guide was incredibly knowledgeable with the nearby area and was competent in keeping us safely down Class III and Class IV rapids across ~5.5 miles down the river! Very family-friendly and a fun experience, even for people who have never whitewater rafted! TYPE OF RAFTING: Upper Pigeon River Rafting - Class III/IV (note: Lower Pigeon rafting is apparently more like a "lazy river" - type of experience!) PARKING: Plentiful Scheduling: Easy to schedule online, they called the day prior to confirm our trip and advised us to arrive 45 mins before our scheduled rafting trip! PRICE: Affordable and there was a promo code on their website! They also do coupon books too (you'll find them everywhere in Gatlinburg lol) Location: Technically in meet-up at their HQ in Hartford TN, so make sure you account for driving time! They bus us to the TN-NC border. FAMILY-FRIENDLY? Yes! I saw plenty of teens and parents on the rafts, especially families that have never white-water rafting! DIFFICULTY: I didn't have any trouble staying in the boat and only saw one person (out of probably 50 people) fall out, but was safely pulled back into a raft! RECOMMEND? Absolutely. It was a great outdoor activity to do with family and I really enjoyed the views of the Smoky Mountains while rafting! Make sure to wear sunscreen since the rafting isn't very shady!

Gone here twice now and they do a great job! Make you feel very safe and the rapids are fun. They…read morehad 2 class 4 rapids that were intense. There is times where you are just floating down the river and can admire the surrounding views. The pictures at the end are $35 but you get all of your pictures and they are quickly sent to your phone, I think this is worth it!

Great experience! I will definitely recommend to family and friends. Coaches were amazingly…read moreentertaining, funny and professional. I truly had a blast thank you.

Upper pigeon forge trip was awesome! Our guide Max was super friendly and made the trip even more…read moreenjoyable. Definitely recommend!

What a terrific afternoon…read more Well run operation. Friendly people. Efficient and clean. Well outfitted. Great guide (Chicay ---- spelling?) Had a blast. Didn't take phone on boat... Sorry no pics. But trust me, it's worth the go.

This was my first time actually zip lining. We bought our tickets day of. Kind of pricey (about…read more$100 per person), but maybe that's typical for zip lining. They put your gear and helmet on, then they drive everyone up to the start of the tour. I think there were 6 total spots we zip lined from. The tour lasted about 2 hours, maybe a little more. The girls working were all super friendly and helpful. They always made us feel safe. They basically do everything for you here, including slowing you down at the end so you don't have to worry about it. At one point I got stuck, but the girl came and got me and I never felt scared. They teach you how to go faster, slow down, and go upside down. They'll also take a few fun pictures of you zip lining that you can purchase afterwards!

My friend and I had the chance to zip-line through the scenic town of Gatlinburg, and it was an…read moreexperience we won't soon forget. After getting fitted with our harnesses and helmets, we took a UTV up the mountain to the course's starting point. The course had six lines in total. The first was fairly easy and definitely helped build our confidence, while the next few gave us a chance to get comfortable and find our bearings. One of the lines stretched over 1,200 feet, and because each was set up as a dual zip line, my friend and I were able to race each other along the way. One of the best parts was the scenery. Flying through the trees with views of the Great Smoky Mountains and downtown Gatlinburg below was an incredible experience. On a particularly clear day, you can even see into North Carolina. Between some of the lines, we also had to cross a skybridge to reach the next section of the course, which added another fun element to the adventure. Our guides, Leah, Gracie, and Kira, were incredibly helpful throughout the experience. They assisted us on and off the lines, kept things fun with their personalities and humor, and made us feel comfortable the entire time as we flew through the forest. I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone visiting or spending time in the Gatlinburg area. They'll take great care of you, and you're guaranteed to have a lot of fun. It's the kind of experience that creates great memories, whether you're there with friends, family, or a group.

Emma was an incredible guide that handled the entire trip with grace and expertise. Her…read moreknowledgeable approach and lively candor kept our family well informed and entertained the entire trip. I've never been on a River Rat rafting trip before, but I know that I'll use them again in the future! 5 A+ well done.

We had the BEST experience with River Rat whitewater rafting! From start to finish, everything was…read morerun so well--extremely organized, clean facilities, and perfectly on time. Every staff member we met was funny, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable, which made the whole day even more enjoyable. Our guide, Ocean, was AMAZING! She knew it was our first time and went out of her way to explain what to expect, making us feel confident and excited. She turned our first rafting trip into an unforgettable adventure--full of laughs, thrills, and a few "core memories" we'll be talking about for years. If you're thinking about going rafting, do it--and go with this company. You won't regret it! We did try other rafting companies after and that was a mistake. We will always come back to Ocean & River Rats.

We had an amazing river rafting experience with Big Greek Expeditions! Judd was an absolutely…read morecrazy, fun, and awesome instructor/guide who made the whole adventure unforgettable. He kept us laughing, made us feel comfortable and safe, and helped us have a fantastic time from start to finish. If you're thinking about trying river rafting, Big Greek Expeditions is the way to go -- and ask for Judd! Highly recommended! ‍

It was very easy to register online. I had previously called during off-hours to ask some…read morequestions. I received a prompt return call when the business reopened the next day. Chip was our guide. He was very good at keeping us safe and keeping us working as a team. He shared info about the river, trees, flowers, and history of the river. He was encouraging and helpful. It was a great rafting trip overall. I would recommend this company to others.

We were seeking adventure and had so many options for whitewater rafting. We decided on this…read moreparticular company for a couple of reasons 1. We could fit 4 in a raft 2. It had a coupon for $12 off!! We called on Tuesday night about 7:45 (they closed at 9) and talked to Teresa who was able to schedule our foursome for a trip at 2:00 on Wednesday. She was so helpful and gave us some tips for travel to Hartford. Once we got there we checked in with a very competent and thorough young lady. We took a short bus ride to the "put in" point. On the 10 minute ride some of the guides performed fun comedic routines which kept us from thinking about how hot we were on a bus with no AC ( except open windows), decked out in life jackets and helmets while holding our paddles upright. :-) We got paired with a river rafting guide named Brantley. He gave us great paddling instructions before we even entered the raft. Since we had all been river rafting before, he explained that the trick to having a more exciting trip is to synchronize your paddle strokes. We had a great time with Brantley. We truly appreciate his concern for our "fun factor" and especially our safe trip down the river.

Been on family trips for more than ten years. We've tubed and canoed but this was by far the most…read morefun. Guides are friendly and fun all while giving the sense of trust that they are looking out for your safety. Our group was 4 parents in one raft and 5 young adults in another (each raft can hold 6). Be sure to tell your guide you want to "surf the rapids".

Place was full of anything and everything you could want to choose from. They had good prices, and…read moreservice was amazing.

Super cool outfitters/outdoors store in Gatlinburg. Plenty of parking here too!…read more They have a great selection of outdoor gear and clothing. Not cheap by any means. But it is what it is. The store is a multi level maze. But this makes it fun as long as you are not in a hurry. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Cool place to come visit and shop at.

Foxfire adventure has so much to offer! My family (of first time zip-liners aside from myself) had…read morea blast on the Goliath zip line tour. Our tour guides (Thomas and JLO) were very experienced, friendly, funny, and they made us feel safe. Before you even start on a zipline you get a fun wild ride on a UTV that takes you up the mountain to where you will begin your adventure. For the next two days my father (who has a fear of heights) recommended foxfire adventure park to anyone/strangers we talked to. This is a great place for both experienced and beginners to zipline!

J-Lo and Tom were excellent guides. We had a blast and pushed excitedly past our comfort zones…read more Going upside down was the ultimate thrill as well as the surprise ATV ride intermission! The photographer was also very sweet and patient. Worth the cost!

Been wanting to visit the Smoky Mountains and Appalachia and wow it is so beautiful. It's a free…read morenational park, which makes it even better. If you are parking for more than 15 minutes anywhere, you must buy a daily parking pass though ($5 per day). These can be purchased at any information center. The mountains and nature are breathtaking. We even saw so many elk and wild turkeys early in the morning while we drove through!! We also saw a black bear. Many hikes and nature trails to choose from, including ones that are completely drivable. Kuwohi Observation Tower: Easy paved uphill walk. Do not go in the early morning when the fog is thick because you will not be able to see anything. Alum Cave Trail: Pretty easy trail. Beautiful nature and cool rocks to look at. Took about 3 hours roundtrip to reach inspiration point. Cades Cove: A drivable scenic loop road. 11 miles one way. Took about an hour or so driving very slowly enjoying the scenery. Saw a black bear that held up traffic. It is closed to cars on Wednesdays to open it up to walkers and bicycles.

What can you say about the Smokies except.. Wow!…read more The views are absolutely breathtaking. We drove route 441 thru America's most visited National Park. There are many pull offs along the way for slower traffic or to take pictures. There is no entrance fee as you drive thru Tennessee and North Carolina. As you drive or hike the many trails you truly appreciate the preserved Southern Appalachian History of these mountains.