Whitewater Rafting

Thousands of thrill seekers head down the Pigeon River from Waterville to Hartford every year using one of the county’s many rafting companies. Tourism is the state’s second largest industry and Hartford is one of the crown jewels of Cocke County’s tourism offerings. Whitewater Rafting continues to grow in Cocke County

Tucked away in the mountains of Cocke County, Hartford sits along I-40 East at exit 447, serving as the next to last exit before the North Carolina state line. This small town is home to numerous whitewater rafting companies, gas stations, a post office, and unique restaurants. Settled along the Pigeon River, Hartford is a quiet town filled with outdoor enthusiasts and curious tourists. For one who wants to be away from the hustle and bustle of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, yet still within reasonable driving distance, there are many riverside camping options. The Downtown Hartford Citgo and the BP serve as the only gas stations along I-40 between Newport and Maggie Valley, NC. The Pigeon River Smokehouse, located at the BP, serves up the best-known BBQ in the area. Across the street sits The Bean Trees Café — a unique dining experience with riverside dining and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The Bean Trees features a vegetarian and kid friendly menu and serves specialty coffee drinks, beer, and wine. Each whitewater rafting company utilizes the public putin, located at I-40 East, exit 451-Waterville. This access point is used for the upper Pigeon River trip, which consists of 12 class III rapids and three class IV rapids. Rapids in the Southeast are rated on a class scale of I to VI, with I being slow moving flat water and VI being deemed experts only or closed for commercial and recreational use. The public put-in lies on the North Carolina state line in Haywood County. Each rafting company uses a different put-in, most located on the company’s property, for the lower Pigeon River trip, consisting of class I and II rapids with a mild class III at the end of the trip before taking out at the public take-out in Denton. The whitewater rafting companies are located along Hartford Road. Each trip will vary in length depending on which company you choose. For the majority, the upper trip is at least five miles long, and the lower trip is approximately six miles long. For the more adventurous person or someone looking for a thrilling ride that guarantees you’ll be getting wet, the upper Pigeon River trip is perfect. Children are welcome to join the excitement as long as they follow the general rules of being at least eight-years-old or weighing 70-pounds (this is for a child who may be younger than eight but is still “big” enough to with stand the physical aspects of the trip). A trained, CPR-certified raft guide will journey with you through rapids such as Power House, Full-of-Water, VegO-matic, Snap Dragon, The Lost Guide, Double Reactionary and The Accelerator. The upper Pigeon River provides scenery and photo opportunities when you are not concentrating on the white water. For families with smaller children or those looking for a calmer ride, the lower Pigeon River awaits. Consisting mostly of class I and II rapids, the lower allows children as young as three to enjoy the rafting experience. Be sure to bring a waterproof camera to capture memories, as this trip is more scenic, winding around the mountains and following Hartford Road downstream to Denton. Large areas of slow moving flat water provide a way to cool-off on a hot, summer day. Even if you are unable to swim, each guest is provided a PFD-personal floatation

device-and a raft guide will accompany you for the duration of the trip. Figures released by the Cocke County Clerk’s office show a total of 238,861 rafters paid to enjoy the local streams in 2020, which brought in a total of $398,770 to the county coffers. Added to that is $5,500 in permit fees paid by the eleven licensed rafting companies. The $398,770 figure is up more than $23,000 from the $375,568 paid by 225,651 rafters in 2019. However, it still falls below the all-time high $405,742 figure from 2016 and the $391,960 in 2015. Cocke County has benefited tremendously from the rafting industry, which welcomes visitors from around the world to the waters of the Pigeon River. In 1995, the first full year of the rafting industry, 17,337 paid customers and a total of 21,154 total rafters added $35,674 to the local budget, along with $3,000 in permit fees. From 1995 until 2020, nearly every year has seen a significant increase in the number of visitors and the money derived from the business. In fact, more than $6.4 million has been garnered over the 25 years that Cocke County has had a rafting industry. Cocke County Clerk Shalee’ McClure is currently preparing to issue rafting permits for 2021 to company owner. McClure said the industry has been able to grow due to the partnership between the community, businesses and the county. “The success of our rafting industry is the result of a tremendous partnership among the rafting companies, local community and political leaders, landowners, and, of course, our tourists. Because of this cooperation, Cocke County has undergone a positive growth with a tremendous economic impact over the years.” For more information regarding whitewater rafting prices and trips on the Pigeon River, please contact the following companies in Hartford: Big Bear Rafting, Five Rivers Adventures, Big Creek Expeditions, NOC Adventure, LLC, Outdoor Adventures, Inc., Rafting in the Smokies, Rapid Expeditions, Rip Roaring Whitewater Adventures, Inc., Smoky Mountain Outdoors, USA Raft and Wildwater Rafting.

Figures released by the Cocke County Clerk’s office show a total of 238,861 rafters paid to enjoy the local streams in 2020, which brought in a total of $398,770 to the county coffers.

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