Nolichucky River Whitewater Rafting

Noli Rafting: A Blue Ridge Rush in Tennessee!

White water rafting on the Nolichucky River is an experience that challenges rafters with wavy rapids in an impressive wilderness setting. The Unaka Mountains provide an incredible backdrop as you paddle from North Carolina into Tennessee in the steepest river gorge east of the Mississippi. NOC runs the smallest, most intimate rafting trips on the Nolichucky River, allowing you and your group to fully absorb the experience.

"NOC has always been my choice for whitewater expericences. On the Nolichucky, NOC had the guides position themselves in series in the routes we were supposed to take (for the duckies). This made the routes easy to spot. NOC is a professional organization." —G. Neill

Because the Nolichucky is a free-flowing river, water levels are subject to change by the day. At each level, the river takes on a particular personality. This is one of the reasons we love to raft the Nolichucky River so much. If you're curious, check out the river's level before departing for your NOC Noli trip.

The Nolichucky is a great whitewater option for families with kids and grandparents of all ages. The more adventurous folks in your group can challenge the Nolichucky Gorge while the younger kids can float the Lower Noli. All will finish at the same place at roughly the same time.

Nolichucky Trip Options

Nolichucky Gorge: A full-day trip with the best guides on the river. The character of this free-flowing river fluctuates with daily rainfall, and NOC guides are experts at maximizing the fun at every water level. At high water levels, you can expect a fully-guided raft trip. As water levels abate, your trip leader may offer a combination of rafts and ducks, allowing everyone to choose their adventure.

Lower Nolichucky Float Trip: The lower Nolichucky River is a 3-5 mile, Class I-II stretch of river. It is ideal for families with children below the minimum age to raft the Nolichucky Classic. Adults can add excitement in a ducky or paddle along in a guided raft . On this trip, expect to paddle though mild Class I and II rapids and small drops.

Dinner Trips: Take our Nolichucky Classic trip and add to it a spectacular riverside barbecue! You'll paddle all nine miles of this scenic gorge in the afternoon, then relax in the riverside sauna or play a game of horseshoes while your guides prepare a riverside feast. This trip is available by request only. Minimum Group Size: 8 people.

Click here for more details on NOC raft trips on the Nolichucky River.

All NOC Nolichucky River trips depart from our Nolichucky outpost, near Erwin, TN. [Click for Directions]