Pigeon
River Information Sheet
Listed below you
will find the names and descriptions of the different trips
that USA Raft runs on the Pigeon River located in Hartford,
Tennessee. 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.
Upper Pigeon River Express - Adventure
Class. No experience required. Minimum age 8 years. The
Pigeon boasts some of the most fun whitewater in the region.
This trip offers you a refreshing alternative
to crowded hotel pools as you paddle your way towards our
outpost at the takeout. With continuous class II-IV whitewater
nestled in the heart of Tennessee's most spectacular mountain
setting, the Pigeon is becoming one of the most popular rafting
trips in the country. Each of our self bailing rafts holds
seven customers and there is a guide in every raft. The run
down the Upper Pigeon River covers about 5 miles and you will
generally spend 2 to 3 hours with us (including trip, transportation,
gearing up, and pre trip speech). Trips run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays,
and Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day when there are scheduled recreational releases from
a dam upstream. Call for availability prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day
as those dam releases vary. |
For
reservations:
1-888-USA-Raft
(304)454-2475
(304)454-2472 fax
raft@usaraft.com
For
local information:
3630 Hartford Road
Hartford, TN 37753
(423)487-4303
|
On days that we don't get releases, a ThrillKat
is the perfect way to experience this river. At these minimum flows,
this trip is continuous class II-III whitewater. In ThrillKats,
you will generally spend 3 to 4 hours with us (including trip, transportation,
gearing up, and pre trip speech). If we unexpectedly get higher
water, the trip will be run in rafts.
Lower Pigeon River Express
- Family Class. No experience required. Minimum age 4 years.
This trip is an excellent introduction to rafting. Put in at our
Pigeon outpost and in no time you'll be winding through a beautiful
river gorge bordered by the Cherokee National Forest on one side
and the Great Smoky Mountains on the other. There is great potential
for wildlife viewing as you head downstream. Each of our self bailing
rafts holds seven customers and there is a guide in every raft.
There is also a limited number of one person inflatable ThrillKats
available. ThrillKat option is based on availability and cannot
be reserved in advance. The run down the Lower Pigeon River covers
about 5 miles and you will generally spend 2 to 3 hours with us
(including trip, transportation, gearing up, and pre trip speech).
Trips run April through September.
Pigeon River Trips are run by Smoky Mountain River Rat.
| The Pigeon Forge Convention &
Visitors Bureau 800-221-9858 and/or the Gatlinburg Chamber of
Commerce 800-568-4748 both can help with additional info on
things to do and places to stay in the area.
Hotels/Motels/Cabins:
Family Inns, Cosby Hwy, Newport, TN, 423-623-6033; I-40, 615-623-2626
Holiday Inn, I-40, Newport, TN, 423-623-8622 Grand Resort
Hotel & Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, TN 423-453-0056
or 800-251-4444
Family Inns of America, Pigeon Forge, TN,
800-582-1177
Days Inn, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-362-9522
Comfort Inn, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-233-0325
Econo Lodge Mountain House Motor Inn, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-462-7238
Econo Lodge, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-933-8670
Quality Inn, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-933-8671
Best Western, Gatlinburg, TN, 800-933-8675
English Mountain Retreat - Sevierville, TN,
800-633-1281
Cosby Creek Cabins - Cosby, TN, 800-508-8844
Wildwood Acres Log Cabins - Cosby, TN,
423-487-5670 |
Camping and RV Sites:
Riveredge RV Park, Pigeon Forge 800-477-1205
Fox Den Campground - Cosby 888-FOX-DEN1
Arrow Creek Campground - Gatlinburg 1-888-382-7769
Area Attractions:
Guinness World Records Museum - Gatlinburg, TN, 423-436-9100
Cherokee Indian Reservation - Cherokee, NC, 800-438-1601
Unto These Hills, Cherokee, NC, 704-497-2111
Dixie Stampede, Pigeon Forge, TN, 800-356-1676
Dollywood Theme Park, Pigeon Forge
Ripley's Motion Master Moving Theater, Gatlinburg, TN, 423-436-9763
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, Gatlinburg, TN 423-436-5096
Chimney Rock Park - Chimney Rock, NC, 800-277-9611
English Mountain Llama Treks - Newport, TN, 423-623-5274
Smoky Mountain Stables - Gatlinburg, TN, 423-436-5634
Muscle Car Museum - Sevierville, TN, 423-908-0882
Flyaway Indoor Skydiving - Pigeon Forge, TN, 423-453-7777 |
Directions: USA's
Pigeon Outpost is on Hartford Road in Hartford, Tennessee
If you are traveling east on I-40: You
will exit the interstate at Hartford, Exit 447. Turn left. We
are located approximately mile south on Hartford Road.
If you are traveling west on I-40:
You will exit the interstate at Hartford, Exit 447. Turn left and
proceed to stop sign. Turn left on to Hartford Road. We are located
approximately mile south on Hartford Road.
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 for the Pigeon River
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 of $5 per person per day with
the balance due 30 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
do not include regulatory agency fees and 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.
All of the forgoing terms and conditions shall be interpreted
under the laws of the State of Tennessee.
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