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!

Book a Nantahala River trip online using the secure reservations system on the top right of the page, or call 888.905.7238 for reservations and information.

Nantahala River Rafting Photos & Videos

Click the thumbnails below to see pictures from NOC Nantahala whitewater adventures:

"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 Trips
Fully guided trips guarantee a guide in every raft. This is the best option for beginners or guests who want to relax and enjoy the experience. Ages 7 years old and up or 60 lbs.

Nantahala Guide-Assisted Trips
Guide-assisted means there's a guide in every other raft. This gives you the option of captaining your own raft, with the security of knowing a skilled guide is always nearby. This is the best option for second-time rafters or rafters who want to focus more on the paddling experience. Ages 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 bethe 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.

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 at Slow Joe's Riverside Cafe. 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.

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

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]

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

Nantahala Outdoor Center: A Paradise in the Clouds

Nantahala Spills &The Best Whitewater Week All Year

Learning to Kayak (Part 2/2) 

NOC Special Events 2011: What to Expect

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 shuttles depart the rafting center for the put-in every hour from 10am to 2pm, except for Saturdays, when they run every half hour from 9:30am to 3pm. 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!