Nantahala Trip Details

Nanty Trip Facts

Rapid Descriptions

Patton's Run: Class II+
Patton's Run is the first rapid on the Nantahala River and comes right after the put-in. It's characterized by medium sized waves in a current that will try and push boaters to left. However, blocking the left size is the notorious "Jaws" rock. Fortunately, Jaws is easy to avoid by staying on the right side to catch all the fun.

Pyramid Rock: Class II
Pyramid Rock is a big pyramid-shaped rock, hence it's name, on river left about 1.75 miles past the put-in. The current pushes boaters directly to the rock, which is okay, because it means the opportunity to try fun rock-spins!

Delebar's Rock: Class II
Just around the bend from Fereby beach, there is a big rock on river left at the top of the rapid and another big rock just downstream on the right side. Making technical maneuvers around these rocks is part of the fun of rafting and this rapid is a fun one to test a raft crew's skills.

Quarry: Class II
Just before the limestone quarry on river left, an island divides the river into two channels. The river constricts as it flows down the right side and creates some of the largest waves on the river. The big, breaking whitecap is the Quarry Wave, which is loads of fun and sure to splash all boaters with the Nantahala's famously cool water.

Whirlpool: Class II
This feature is one of the most fun spots on the entire river. The river makes a turn to the right and creates a giant eddy from the left bank to the center of the river. The current will push boaters right, but it's fun to charge left and crash the eddy, which often spin kayaks, duckies and rafts as the side tubes of the raft dip deep into the water. 

The Ledges: Class II
Maybe not surprisingly, the river drops over a series of ledges at this rapid. The river can be shallow and rafts do get stuck from time to time. This is another great opportunity to test a raft crew's technical skills.

Surfing Rapid: Class II
Here, you're sure to find kayakers and canoeists lined up on river left, waiting for a chance to surf this easy-to-ride curling wave. It's a great place to see boaters practicing up on trick moves.

The Bump: Class II
Boaters can recognize this rapid by the yellow and orange highway signs hanging above the rock that say: "Bump." This rapid features a train of small waves on river right, which provide a bouncy ride, while avoiding the large ledge on river left, which tends to bump guides out of their seats.  

Nantahala Falls: Class III
Nantahala Falls is the longest, swiftest and most fun rapid on the Nantahala River. There are a number of ways to run this rapid, some are a bit more thrilling than others. The approach features wavetrains that snake down the middle of the river as it narrows into a swift chanel. You'll just nip the edge of a hydraulics at the top of Nantahala Falls, then paddle over a swiftly moving slide to the bottom, finishing with a big splash. Lots of fun, lots of smiles and it's all captured digitally our Photo Finish.