There are at least five rivers in the great volunteer State that lend themselves to whitewater rafting. Some are naturally flowing rivers while others are controlled by dams. Some feature Class II rapids, while others have Class IVs. The one thing they have in common is that they all offer a wild and wet adventure against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery.

One of them is the Nolichucky River which drains the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Upper Nolichucky starts your whitewater adventure with a drop into a 10-mile long gorge where you can take on the challenge of conquering Class III and IV rapids. The Lower Nolichucky is much gentler with its Class II and III rapids. This is perfect for families with small children. It even has quiet pools where you can go swimming.

To the south of the Nolichucky is another river with exciting whitewater rapids. The Upper Pigeon River has 12 Class III and 3 class IV rapids that are challenging but not exhausting. The river winds its way through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Cherokee National Forest, Martha Sundquist State Forest, and the Appalachian Trail thus ensuring a great view as you navigate the whirling and churning waters of the Upper Pigeon. The Lower Pigeon is more of a float trip where the rapids slow down to Class II and III levels.

Ocoee River has been rated one of the top ten whitewater rafting destinations in the USA by Canoe Magazine. In 1996, the Upper Ocoee was host to the whitewater slalom event of the Summer Olympics. The dam controlled water releases, however, limit the time rafters can enjoy this challenging route to only 34 days a year. But there is always the Middle Ocoee which features 20 rapids of Class III and IV levels in close succession with each other. You will feel like you’ve gone though five miles of continuous rapids.

The Watauga is another river that is famous for its whitewater rapids. It is about a hundred kilometers long and has its headwaters in the Grandfather Mountain in Watauga County, NC and crosses into Tennessee at Johnson County. Its Class I and II rapids make it a place for family adventures and for beginning rafters. It does have a Class III at the end of the ride. Named Anaconda, the final rapids is a perfect ending to a learning course in whitewater rafting.

Flowing through the Pisgah National Forest is the French Broad River. It features plenty of Class II and III rapids along a five mile stretch. You can bring your eight-year olds on this trip and share the fun and adventure with them. If you feel that you have mastered the art of whitewater rafting after this half a day practice, you can leave the children on the shore for their own on land exploration, and jump into the river’s second section and brave the Class IV Frank Bell’s and Needle Falls rapids.

With these five great rivers to choose from you can spend a month in Tennessee and still not get enough of whitewater rafting and spectacular scenery.