Wildwater Nantahala
Nantahala Raft & Rail© Trip Info.
RIVER INFORMATION
The Nantahala River is one of America's favorite whitewater playgrounds. Its ideal location at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just a short distance from Cherokee and Bryson City, makes the Nantahala River convenient to mountain vacationers. Eight miles of constant waves and swift, clear currents make the Nantahala River a delight for all ages and groups interested in an exhilarating introduction to whitewater rafting. The fully guided Nantahala raft trip takes over 2 hours and contains numerous class I and II rapids, with a class III rapid at the end. Since the Nantahala River is a dam-controlled river, one can expect good water flows at all times of the year.
Wildwater Nantahala, complete with river store, hot showers, and changing facilities, is located just three miles from the river.
FACTS
Minimum Weight: 60 lbs.
Intensity Level: Mild to moderate. No previous whitewater experience needed.
Trip Length: Approximately 7 hours
Equipment Furnished: Raft, paddle, PFD, & paddling jacket.
Lunch: Complete lunch including drink and dessert
THE TRIP
Guests are expected to check in at the Great Smoky Mountain Railway Depot in Bryson City approximately thirty minutes before the trip. The train departs Bryson City April-October. This allows you plenty of time to sign in and change. You should be dressed for rafting when you get on the train. Also, bring a change of clothes and towel with you.
The trip begins with a 2-hour train ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railway, Nantahala Gorge Excursion. Your rail excursion will take you through the beautiful countryside foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, over Fontana Lake, and alongside the Nantahala River. When you reach your final destination in the Nantahala Gorge you will be met by your bus. Wildwater staff will transport you two miles up the Nantahala River for lunch and to the put-in for your rafting trip.
At the put-in, after distribution of rafting gear, your trip leader will begin your orientation, then Guests and guides will carry all gear, rafts, and equipment a short distance to the river. Your river trip gets underway after lessons on paddling techniques and your guides give safety procedures. Your river trip will cover 8 miles of numerous class II rapids, ending with class III Nantahala Falls. From the take-out you will travel three miles to the Wildwater Nantahala Adventure Center for hot showers. After everyone has had time to change clothes and visit the river store you will be transported back to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot.
WHAT TO BRING
Cool Weather
Wool sweater
Wool mittens/wool hat
Shorts or bathing suit
Allergy medicine
Tennis shoes
Dry change of clothes
Wool socks
Towels
Warm Weather
Shorts or bathing suit
Allergy medicine
T-shirt
Dry change of clothes
Tennis shoes
Towels
Sunscreen
Blue jeans are not recommended, particularly in cold weather. Rental wet suits are available when it is too cool for shorts. Jewelry should be left at home or locked in the car. Glasses should be secured with straps or string.
CANCELLATION POLICY
•Reservations cancelled at least fourteen (14) days in advance will receive a full refund less $10 reservation fee.
•Reservations cancelled at least seven (7) days in advance will receive a refund of money paid less deposit equal to $10 per person for half day trips and $20 per person for full day trips.
•Reservations cancelled less than seven (7) days in advance are ineligible for refund.
•For any consideration of a refund, reservations should be cancelled in advance.
•Request for date transfer are treated like cancellations and may entail a loss of deposit.
•MC/Visa Payment: Reservations must be cancelled by the close of the next business day after credit card is given to receive full credit less one $10 fee if cancelling the entire reservation.
•NO SHOWS on day of the trip will receive NO REFUND.
•An exception form may be filled out for requests for refund due to special circumstances.
LODGING POLICY
•Reservations cancelled 7 days or more in advance of your stay will receive a full refund except one $10 fee.
•Reservations cancelled the day before will receive a voucher (rain check) for a future stay.
•Reservations cancelle the day of your stay will receive NO REFUND, but may fill out a "Request for an Exception" form.
WHO SHOULD GO RAFTING?
Wildwater offers rafting trips suitable for all ages and skill levels. While Wildwater sets minimum age limits for certain trips, you must evaluate your own fitness level when determining which trips are suitable for you.
Participants should be in good health and not be afraid of the water. You will be assisting in paddling your own raft, and in carrying rafts and equipment to and from the river. If you are seriously overweight or have special medical conditions, you should consult your physician before attempting a rafting trip.
DATE TRANSFERS
Wildwater reserves the right to cancel or reschedule trip in cases of extreme weather or water level conditions. If this happens, you may either reschedule your trip or receive a full refund. In all other cases, requests for date transfer are treated like cancellations and may entail a loss of deposit.
LIABILITY
Wildwater provides high quality equipment and our staff is professionally trained to make your trip safe and comfortable. However, each person is responsible for their own liability and will be required to sign a waiver prior to the start of the trip.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Whetstone Photography offers professional photography service for Wildwater at all four locations: Chattooga, Ocoee, Pigeon, and Nantahala Adventure Centers.
LODGING AROUND THE NANTAHALA
Visitors to our Wildwater Adventure Centers at the Chattooga, Ocoee, Nantahala and Pigeon Rivers often ask for the names of local motels and campgrounds. The following list is only a sample of the available accommodations within reasonable driving distance of Wildwater Nantahala:
Recommended Lodging:
Wildwater Lodging
Falling Waters Yurt Village 866-451-9972
Falling Waters Group Lodge 866-451-9972
Bed and Breakfasts
West Oak B&B & Cabins Bryson City, NC (828) 488-2438
Charleston Inn Bed & Breakfast Bryson City, NC (888) 285-1555
Folkestone Inn B&B Bryson City, NC (888) 812-3385
The Chalet Inn Whittier, NC (800) 789-8024
Calhoun House Inn & Suites Bryson City, NC (828) 399-9765
Blaine House B&B Franklin, NC (828) 524-3633
Cabins and Cottages
Nantahala Village Bryson City, NC (800) 438-1507
Yellow Rose Realty Bryson City, NC (800) 528-0760
Watershed Cabins Bryson City, NC (877) 784-0688
Nantahala Cabins Bryson City, NC (877) 488-1622
Whispering Winds Log Cabin Rentals Bryson City, NC (828) 736-6443
Fox Creek Cabins Bryson City, NC (800) 655-9771
Wesser Heights Cabin Sylva, NC (866) 251-4408
Great Smokys Cabin Rentals Bryson City, NC (800) 655-9771
Ironhorse Motorcycle Lodge, Cabins & Camping Stecoah, NC (828) 479-3864
Cherokee Mountain Cabins Topton, NC (866) 77-CABIN
Mountain Brook Cottages Sylva, NC (828) 586-4329
Stonewood Cabin Bryson City, NC (912) 727-4025
Nantahala River Lodge Upper Nantahala River, NC (912) 727-4025
Raccoon Ridge Properties Bryson City, NC (828) 399-9765
Lands Creek Log Cabins Bryson City, NC (888) 346-9793
Romantic Cabins Fontana, NC (678) 383-4231
Campgrounds
State & National Park Service Campgrounds
KOA Campground Cherokee, NC (800) 825-8352 or (828) 497-9711
Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground Bryson City, NC (828) 488-6055
Turkey Creek Campground Almond, NC (828) 488-8966
Lost Mine Campground Bryson City, NC (828) 488-6445
Kirkland Creek Campground Bryson City, NC (828) 488-6482
Primitive Camping in the Nantahala Area
Hotels Motels and Inns
Nantahala Village Bryson City, NC (800) 438-1507
Lloyd's On The River Bryson City, NC (828) 488-3767
Fryemont Inn Bryson City, NC (800) 845-4879
Sleep Inn Bryson City, NC (828) 488-0326 or (800) SLEEP IN
Best Western Smoky Mountain Inn Waynesville, NC (800) 218-2121
Resorts and Retreats
Falling Waters Resort Bryson City, NC (800) 451-9972
Nantahala Village Bryson City, NC(800) 438-1507
Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center Lake Junaluska, NC (800) 222-4930
Lakeview At Fontana Bryson City, NC (800) 742-6492
Awanita Valley Retreat Center Marietta, SC (864) 836-3956
Other NC Lodging Properties
Luxury Asheville Cabins Asheville, NC (828) 242-8686
Crowne Plaza Resort Asheville Asheville, NC (828) 254-3211
Ramada River Ridge Asheville, NC (828) 298-9141
Grove Park Inn Asheville, NC(800) 438-5800
Double Tree Biltmore Asheville, NC (828) 274-1800
Timberwolf Creek B&B Maggie Valley, NC (828) 926-2608
Asheville Renaissance Hotel Asheville, NC (828) 252-8211
Willow Winds Cabins Asheville, NC (800) 235-2474
Area Links
Romantic Asheville
Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association
ALCOHOL
Wildwater reserves the right to refuse to accommodate anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs (which may impair their abilities on the river) and will not hesitate to remove them from the trip without refund.
Wildwater Ltd. Reservations Center
P0 Box 309
Long Creek, SC 29658
1-866-451-9972
e-mail: reservations@wildwaterrafting.com
