Nantahala
River Information Sheet
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
8 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
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.
Guided Duck Trip. In this
introduction to paddling your own boat, you will use a special
kind of duck called a Thrillkat™, a stable, sturdy and
easy to maneuver one-person inflatable craft which is a cross
between a kayak and a raft.
Nantahala Dinner Trip.
Join USA Raft on the Nantahala for rafting and a delicious
barbequed meal half-way down the river! The trip includes
a riverside meal and guided raft trip.
|
For
reservations:
1-800-745-3956
(304)454-2475
(304)454-2452 fax
raft@usaraft.com
For
local information:
11044 Highway 19-W
Bryson City, NC 28713
(828)488-3316
|
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: $10.00 per person/per night plus
tax.
Open field camping, you supply the tent:
$6.00 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
Pigeon Outpost is on Hartford Road in Hartford, Tennessee
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
|
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
|
Also
bring for after your trip:
- Towel
- Dry clothes
- Dry shoes
|
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.
|
