Rafting FAQs

Answers to Your Rafting Questions

Which river is right for me?
When choosing a trip, consider the age of the rafters, level of enthusiasm, location and season. The following categories are used to help narrow your decision based on what kind of trip you're looking for:

Family Adventure
Accessible to just about anyone, a great choice for first-timers and families with younger children. Rapids range from fast moving water with riffles and small waves (Class I) to rapids with large waves and fast current (Class III). NOC offers Family Adventures on the Nantahala, French Broad, Chattooga III and Lower Pigeon. There are also Family Adventures on fast water with Class IV rapids on the Upper Pigeon and Middle Ocoee Rivers.

High Adventure
The Southeast's most exciting rivers offer whitewater thrills and spectacular scenery. Try out the Nolichucky, Ocoee Combo and Chattooga IV for plenty of Class III-IV+ excitement. Expect turbulent water, tight maneuvers, steep drops and lots of fun! The Cheoah offers some of most anticipated high-adventure rafting in the US! NOC guests can now raft two West Virginia classics, the Class III New and the Class V Gauley Rivers with our partners at North American River Runners (NARR).
Still not sure which is the right choice for you? Call 888-905-7238 to talk to a friendly reservationist - they're the experts!

Do I need experience?
No, but you should be ready to spend a few hours to a full day participating in an outdoor activity. Prior rafting experience is required to raft the Cheoah River.

Do I need reservations?
Walk-ins are welcome, but to guarantee space on the trip of your choice, we recommend reservations, especially on holidays and summer weekends. A lot goes into the planning of a river trip, including scheduling of guides, photographers and bus drivers, packing lunch for full-day and lunch trips and ensuring that our equipment is always in top-notch condition. Within four weeks of your trip, be prepared to pay with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Call 888-905-7238 to reserve your trip

What do prices include?
Prices include all of the top-quality equipment you'll need for your trip: raft, paddle, personal flotation device, splash jacket, splash pants and on some rivers during cooler weather, a wetsuit. Prices listed for Nantahala, Ocoee, French Broad and Chattooga include river fees. Nolichucky and Pigeon River trips do not include a Tennessee sales tax of 9.75% and a $2/person river fee.
On the Nolichucky, Chattooga, and French Broad Deluxe trips, your price also includes a deli-style lunch. On the Rapid Transit trip, your price includes a boxed lunch from Slow Joe's Riverside Café. On the Ocoee Combo trip, guests are served a snack and beverages. Cheoah trips include a hot lunch at the Tapoco Lodge. The remaining trips do not include lunch. When you raft the Nantahala, stop by NOC restaurants for great food and river views.

Can I get a discount?
Yes! Join us in the spring and fall and enjoy off-season rates. Or, raft two rivers in the same week and receive 10% off the lower priced trip! Visit our specials page to view all rafting deals and discounts.

What exactly is a Duck?
Basically, Ducks are one- or two-person inflatable kayaks. They are small and agile, and allow you to explore the river in a different way. Duck paddlers sit on the floor of the craft and use a double-bladed kayak paddle to maneuver down the river. In ducks, you can expect big splashes and lots of adventure.
Guided duck rips and unguided duck rentals are available at the Nantahala River. We also run guided duck trips seasonally on the French Broad, Nolichucky and Chattooga. Double ducks are available only at NOC Rentals at our Main Campus on the Nantahala River.

What does guide-assisted mean?
We run guide-assisted trips on the Nantahala, Chattooga Section III, Lower Pigeon and French Broad. After teaching you how to captain your own boat, our experienced, highly-trained guides lead you down the river in every second or third raft. In other words, Guide-Assisted trips mean there's a guide in every other raft.

What if I need to cancel my trip?
Cancel 10 or more days before your trip and receive a full refund. For guided trips, cancel 2-9 days before and you'll receive a 50% refund. There is no refund the day before or day of a guided trip. For rentals, canceling 1-9 days before your trip gives you a full value coupon. Cancel the day of the trip, and receive a 50% value coupon. For all trips, no-shows are non-refundable.

What should I wear on the river?
In the spring, wear wool or synthetic sweaters and long underwear. Wool socks, gloves and hats can also increase your comfort level. For cooler weather, avoid cotton, as it keeps you cold when it gets wet. If the weather is warm, shorts and a T-shirt with a bathing suit will be sufficient. Shoes that fasten securely to your feet are required at all times. At any time of year, avoid heavy cotton fabrics. Jeans and sweatshirts are highly absorbent (think of a cotton towel) and will do nothing to enhance warmth or comfort level.

Will I fall out?
Going for a short swim is always a possibility on a whitewater trip. You'll be wearing a Type V USCG-approved personal flotation device and we'll brief everyone on what to expect and how to behave in the event that someone does fall out. Keep in mind that the likelihood of getting dunked increases as the river classification increases; a High Adventure trip is generally a much wetter experience than a Family Adventure trip.

Do I need to know how to swim?
No, but you should be comfortable in and around water.

Are trips canceled when it rains?
Whitewater rafting is a very wet activity and we run trips rain or shine. In fact, we think this is the very best outdoor activity for a rainy day!

Is there an upper age limit?
No, the only age restrictions are on the younger end of the spectrum. We expect everyone to reasonably evaluate his or her fitness level before taking a whitewater rafting trip.

Will you take my picture?
Yes. Because memories of your trip are important to us, NOC photographers shoot every trip (weather permitting). On the Nolichucky, Chattooga, French Broad, Nantahala, Ocoee and Pigeon, you can see your photos right after you raft! New technology on the Nantahala means you can take your photo home the very same day. Don't bring any expensive equipment. Disposable, waterproof cameras were made for this kind of activity and the photo quality is pretty good.

Is there risk involved in rafting?
With over 30 years of experience, NOC's risk management procedures are unsurpassed. We train our guides extensively. Many current industry standards were developed by NOC. However, it is important that you and your group know this: Whitewater rafting, like all adventure activities, involves inherent risks. NOC does not assume liability for personal injuries or death. You will be asked to participate in our safety instructions and to read and sign an Assumption of Risk and Waiver Agreement prior to your trip. We cannot allow anyone impaired by drugs or alcohol to go on any of our trips. No refund will be made.