Nantahala River White Water Rafting

Classic Family Rafting in Western NC

North Carolina's shimmering Nantahala River offers river rafting through family-friendly rapids that are mild but exciting. The Nantahala features eight miles of practice on easy Class II rapids before splashing through the exciting Class III whitewater of Nantahala Falls. This is one of America’s most popular whitewater runs!

"Josh was our raft guide on the Nantahala River. We are a group of seven ladies over 50 years of age. Josh was such a joy, full of interesting information, history and laughs. We had a truly wonderful trip. Thanks again!" —Pam, Edee, Karen, Sharon, Annette, Nancy and Jenny

NOC's Nantahala River Trip Options

Nantahala rafters have a few choices on how to run the river. Here are the options:

	Nantahala Fully Guided Trip 8 Miles/2 Hours on River This is the best option for beginners or guests who want to relax and enjoy the experience. Fully guided trips guarantee a guide in every raft.
	Nantahala Guide Assisted Trip 8 Miles/2 Hours on the River Be the captain of your own raft, with the security of knowing a skilled guide is always nearby. Best option for second-time rafters or rafters who want to focus more on the paddling experience.
	Nantahala Guided Duck Trip 8 Miles/2 Hours on the River Splash down the Nanatahala in an inflatable!

*All Nanatahala River Trips have an age/weight requirement: participants must be 7 years old and up OR 60 lbs.

Nantahala Raft Rentals
Rentals allow experienced rafters to navigate their own trip. You, or someone from your group, will be the guide on a rentals trip. Various raft sizes, single and double ducks (inflatable kayaks) are available. Raft rentals appropriate for ages 7 years old and up or 60 lbs.  Ducky rentals available to those ages 9 years old and up. Call 888.905.7238 to reserve your trip today!

Rapid Transit
Rapid Transit combines a scenic morning train ride and an afternoon whitewater raft trip, all in the Nantahala Gorge. This option is available exclusively on the Nantahala River, with our friends at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Meet in Bryson City and ride the train through the Nantahala Gorge. The train drops you off right at NOC in time for lunch a deli-style lunch along the riverside. After lunch, get ready for rafting on a fully-guided NOC raft trip. After your exciting run through Nantahala Falls, you'll float right back to NOC where an instant photo show, changing rooms, hot showers and transportation back to Bryson City await you. Call 888.905.7238 to reserve your trip today!

You can also spend the day paddling a kayak on Fontana Lake! Guided and non-guided lake tours now available at NOC.

Nantahala River Boaters

Private boaters are welcome to take out at NOC, just downstream at the old Raft Rentals beach. Paddle past the raft traffic and take out just before the footbridge, right by Slow Joe's Cafe.

NOC offers private boaters shuttles that run from the rafting center to the Wayah Road put-in regularly.  On Saturdays from June until GAF, holidays and everyday in July, private boaters who have parked at the Wayah Road put-in can ride the shuttle FREE!

Driving Directions

Nantahala River trips depart from our Nantahala Outpost, near Bryson City, NC.
[Click for Directions to our Nantahala Outpost]
Rapid Transit Train/Raft trips depart from the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City, NC. [Click for Directions to the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot]

Looking for your trip photos? Find photos of NOC rafting trips here. 

Still want to read more? Check out these NOC blogs on the Nantahala:

Nantahala Outdoor Center: A Paradise in the Clouds

Learning to Kayak (Part 1/2)