Nantahala
River Information Sheet
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Listed below
you will find the names and descriptions of the different
trips that USA Raft runs on the Nantahala River located
in Bryson City, North Carolina. You will meet at our
outpost which has showers, changing rooms and ample
parking. Trips start on time: Please check in 30 minutes
prior to your scheduled trip time. If you arrive after
your scheduled trip time, you will be accommodated on
the next trip with available space. A Word of Warning:
Space on our trips is usually totally reserved in advance.
Do not expect to arrive late and be able to go down
the river the same day.
Nantahala Half Day Trip
- Family Class - Guide-In-Raft option available.
No experience required. Minimum weight of 60 pounds
or 7 years old. Nestled deep in the Nantahala National
Forest near the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains,
the Nantahala gives the beginning rafter a playful,
enjoyable and scenic introduction to rafting. The trip
is run in self-bailing, guide-assisted rafts. There
is not a guide in every raft but you can reserve a guide
in your raft for an additional charge. This option must
be selected when making your reservation - not at the
river. You can also choose the ThrillKat option for
an additional charge. The ThrillKat is a one person,
catamaran inflatable. The Nantahala Half Day
covers 8 miles and you will generally spend about 3-4
hours with us (including trip, transportation, gearing
up and pre-trip speech.) Trips run March through October.
Nantahala Raft and ThrillKat
Rentals - Family Class. Experience recommended.
Minimum age 7 years or minimum weight 60 lbs. For the
veteran paddler, you rent the craft of your choice and
take on the Nantahala on your own. Deposit is required.
The run down the Nantahala trip covers 8 miles and
you will generally spend 4 to 5 hours with us (including
trip, transportation, gearing up and pre-trip speech.)
Trips run March through October.
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For reservations:
1-800-745-9356
(304)454-2475
(304)454-2452 fax
raft@usaraft.com
For local information:
11044 Highway 19-W
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828)488-3316
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Lodging
With USA Raft:
Camping:
The campground is a well groomed facility adjacent
to the Welcome Center. It includes:
Platform tents (No electrical hook-up)
Open field camping(No electrical hook-up)
Picnic pavilion
Volleyball court
Hot Showers
Bus Parking
Preset tents on platforms with foam sleeping mattress:
$9.50 per person/per night/plus tax.
Open field camping, you supply the tent:
$5.00 per person/per night/plus tax.
Call 1-800-USA-RAFT for reservations!
Hotels/Motels/Cabins:
Freeman's Inn & Cottages - (828)488-2737. Almond,
NC. 15 minutes from outpost.
Lakeview Lodge - (828)488-3727. Bryson City, NC. 15
minutes from outpost.
Rosewood Inn - (828)488-2194. Bryson City, NC. 20 minutes
from outpost.
Mountain Laurel Motel - (828)488-6641. Bryson City,
NC. 20 minutes from outpost.
Rivers Edge Cabins - (828)497-2522. Cherokee, NC. 30
minutes from outpost.
Best Western Mountainbrook Inn - 800-528-1234. Maggie
Valley, N.C. 60 minutes from outpost.
The Valley Inn - (828)926-1240. Maggie Valley, N.C.
60 minutes from outpost.
Lake Junaluska Assembly - (828)452-2881.
Lake Junaluska, NC - Hotels, Apartments, Lodges, 18
Hole Golf Course. |
Additional
Camping:
Deep Creek Campground - (U.S. Park Service) (828)488-3184.
Tsali Campground - (U.S. Forest Service) (828) 479-6431.
For complete listing, contact:
Swain County Chamber of Commerce -
(828) 488-3681
Asheville Visitors Bureau-
1-800-257-1300 out of state
1-800-548-1300 in state
Area Attractions:
Great Smoky Mountain National Park -
This half-million acre park receives nine million visitors
each year, yet continues to be one of the largest wilderness
areas in the eastern United States. For more information,
contact Park Headquarters, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. (423)436-5615.
Cherokee - Home of the Eastern Band of
the Cherokee Indians, this area has many attractions for
visitors. For more information, contact Cherokee Tribal
Travel and Promotion. (828)497-9195.
Gatlinburg - The tourist's "Mecca"
of Gatlinburg is only 45 miles from Nantahala Headquarters.
(During peak season please allow 2 hours for the scenic
drive through the Park.) An amazing variety of specialty
shops line the streets, punctuated by motels and restaurants
of every description. Contact Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce.
1-800-251-9868 outside TN; (615)436-4178 in TN.
Pigeon Forge-Dollywood - Pigeon Forge
is a town built for family fun and is jam-packed with
entertainment and recreational attractions. The Dollywood
theme park features shows, rides, restaurants, shops and
demonstrations of authentic mountain crafts and skills.
Contact Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism.
1-800-251-9100 outside TN; (615)453-8574 in TN. |
Directions: USA's
Nantahala Outpost is in Bryson City, North Carolina
From the East:
(Asheville area): Take I-40W to exit 27 and take US 74W. Stay on US 74 past the Sylva and Bryson City exits. 6 miles past the Bryson City exit, 74W changes from four lanes to two lanes. Two miles from this lane change, bear to the left when 74W and 28N split. We are on the right side of US 74W, 2 miles from the split. Our outpost is not visible from the road but you will see our sign.
From the West: (from Murphy
area or US 64): Take 74E past Murphy, Andrews, and Topton.
We are twelve miles east of Topton on the left hand side of
US 74E. Our outpost is not visible from the road but you will
see our sign.
What to Wear:
No Cotton! (No sweatshirts, no sweatpants, no jeans)
Spring
and Fall
- Swimsuit
- Waterproof windbreaker or rainjacket (paddling
jackets are available at the headquarters on the day
of your trip. No reservations accepted)
- Wool or polypropylene sweater
- Feet: Wetsuit booties or wool socks and tennis shoes
- Hands: Wetsuit mittens or wool or polypropylene
gloves covered with dishwashing gloves
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Summer
- Swimsuit
- Shorts
- T-Shirt (for protection from sun)
- Baseball cap or visor
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof windbreaker or rainjacket (paddling jackets
are available at the headquarters on the day of your
trip. No reservations accepted)
- Wool or polypropylene sweater
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Also
bring for after your trip:
- Towel
- Dry clothes
- Dry shoes
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Terms and Conditions
Equipment: You will be provided
with U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V Personal Flotation Devices(Life
Jackets), paddles and helmets.
Terms: Within ten days of your phone call,
you must confirm your reservation with a non-refundable deposit.
Half day and Express trips require a $5 per person, per day
deposit with the balance due 30 days prior to the trip. Day
trips require a $10 per person, per day deposit with the balance
due 45 days prior to the trip. World class rivers require
a $20 per person per day deposit and the balance due 60 days
prior to the trip. No personal checks accepted within 30 days
of scheduled trip; MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American
Express welcome.
Cancellations: If a cancellation must be
made and is given with more than 30 days notice, a refund
will be granted, less the per person, non-refundable deposit.
Otherwise the following schedule applies: Cancellation with
20-30 days notice - 50% refund; 10-19 days notice - 25% refund;
less than 10 days notice - no refund.
Liability: Outfitter and reservations services
assume no liability for personal injury or loss of equipment.
You will be required to sign a personal injury and photo waiver
before your trip. A copy of the waiver is available on request.
Minors: All participants under the age of
18 must have a completed release form signed by parent or
legal guardian. Contact USA Raft for forms.
Consumption of alcohol or drugs is not permitted on
raft trip: Intoxicated persons will be refused, without
refund.
Rates: All rates are stated per person. Prices
include regulatory agency fees but do not include applicable
sales taxes. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Weather: Trips go rain or shine. (You are going to
get wet anyway!)
Outfitters reserve the right to move to a
different section of the river or to another river for reason
of safety or low water, in which case price difference will
be refunded. No refund or rainchecks will be issued unless
outfitter completely cancels the day's events. No cash refund.
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