Whitewater rafting is one of Cocke County’s biggest tourism hits

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, Fox Fire Campground and Shauan’s RV Park provide riverside campsites. 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 same public put-in, 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 mov- ing 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 are 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, Veg-Omatic, 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.

For more information regarding whitewater rafting prices and trips on the Pigeon River, please contact the following companies in Hartford:

Big Bear Rafting: 3165 Big Creek Rd., Hartford, TN, 37753, (844) 799-7238

5 Rivers Adventures: 3692 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (888) 204-8779

Big Creek Expeditions: 3671 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (877) 642-7238

Nantahala Outdoor Center: 3485 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (865) 210-8565

Raft Outdoor Adventures: 3635 Trail Hollow Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (866) 333-7238

Rafting in the Smokies: 3595 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (800) 776-7238

Rapid Expeditions: 3605 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (888) 504-7238

Rip Roaring Adventures: 3555 Wheat Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (800) 449-7238

Smoky Mountain Outdoors: 3299 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (800) 771-7238

Wisdom Tree, LLC: 3630 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (423) 487-4303

Wildwater Pigeon Rafting: 3555 Hartford Road, Hartford, TN, 37753, (866) 319-8870 or (423) 4873307