Whitewater Rafting with USA Raft Nantahala
Rafting the Nantahala River is the perfect combination of fun & adventure for your family or group. We are so confident that you will have a great time on this trip that we will give you your money back if you don't have a
great time rafting with us on this trip.
Bounce and churn through eight miles of cool and clear mountain whitewater as it runs through the Nantahala National Forest. Run more than 20 fun rapids including Patton's Run, Tumble Dry, Whirlpool, Surfing Rapid, and more. End with an exhilarating run through Little Wesser Falls.
The Nantahala is dam-controlled, with consistent water levels throughout the season.
Where is USA Raft Nantahala?
You'll find USA Raft Nantahala conveniently located in the Nantahala Gorge in Western North Carolina. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is nearby.
We are near the NC mountain towns of Cherokee, Bryson City, and Murphy.
If you want to map us, here's our physical address.
USA Raft Nantahala
11044 Hwy. 19 W
Bryson City, NC 28713
USA Raft Reservation Center: 800-745-9356
Click here for directions written directions to USA Raft Nantahala
USA Raft Nantahala
Whitewater Rafting Trip Options
Here's a brief summary. Scroll down for the details.
Guide-Assisted - This is the most popular option. Guides are on your trip, but not in every boat.
Nantahala with Kids - best for families with preteen kids (Guide-Assisted & Guide-in-Boat)
*** Guide in Boat - A guide is guaranteed in your boat. (This cost extra.)
Raft and ThrillKat Rental - Cost less.
Other options...
Inflatable kayak trips on the Tuckaseigee River - Duck the Tuck
Raft with Kids, As Young as Age 4!
Bigger whitewater from Team USA Raft
Click here for details on all whitewater trip options from USA Raft Nantahala
Why USA Raft Nantahala?
- Friendly & Caring Guides and Staff who love to help you have fun and are focused on safety.
- Safety - Safety is our number one concern and we have an excellent safety record.
- Value Pricing - We are not the most expensive or the cheapest on the river, but you get the best value for your dollar.
- Quality Equipment - We use only commercial grade self-bailing rafts & commercial grade Type 5 PFDs (life jackets.)
- Experience - 30+ years from USA Raft. Nearly 20 years from Blue Ridge Outing Co. Over 10 years on the Nantahala.
- Money Back Guarantee - We are the only outfitter on the river backing our service with a Money Back Guarantee. If you don't have fun, we don't get paid.
Raft with USA Raft Nantahala. We guarantee you'll be glad you did!
Call Now to Reserve 1-800-745-9356
Nantahala Operating Season: April – October
Money Back Guarantee
We don't use the term "Guarantee" loosely. If you don't have a great time rafting with USA Raft Nantahala, we will give you your money back.Make-up Trip Guarantee for Groups
You come to have fun, we want you to have fun with your kids! If you do not have fun rafting with us, then we will let you raft with us again for free. You have one year from your trip date to take the free make-up rafting trip.
Arrival, Trip Flow, and What to Bring — Show | Hide
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your trip. We have a parking area.
Appropriate shoes are required for your river trip. You can buy or rent water shoes, if needed. We also rent Splash Gear and Wetsuits. Bring a change of clothes for after the trip. We have changing areas and hot showers at our Nantahala Outpost.
When you arrive, check in at the office. Complete any needed payment and read, fill-out, and sign the Liability Release Form.
Now starts the outfitting. We'll help you choose the right boat, get you any needed Splash Gear, and wetsuit or wet shoes.
Next you'll get your PFD (Personal Flotation Device aqua life jacket) and a paddle. PFDs must be worn by everyone at all times when on or near the river. There are no exceptions. PFDs must be snug. They should be comfortable, but snug.
Next you ride to the put-in in a bus. This takes 15 to 20 minutes. The Guides will give a Safety Briefing during the bus ride. At the put-in, we'll take the boats to the river. Now the fun begins. You will stay together with the group. Our guides are always on the river with you.
The trip last about 2-1/2 hours on the river. It ends at the climatic Wesser Falls, the biggest Class III rapid around. It's easy to walk around this last big rapid, if you want.
Just after the falls, you'll take out and board the bus for a 10-minute trip back to our outpost. There you can change (and shower if you wish) and check out our T-shirts. Most days we will have photos available of your run through Wesser Falls. And, you'll be able to buy the photos online later.
Appropriate shoes are required for your river trip. You can buy or rent water shoes, if needed. We also rent Splash Gear and Wetsuits. Bring a change of clothes for after the trip. We have changing areas and hot showers at our Nantahala Outpost.
When you arrive, check in at the office. Complete any needed payment and read, fill-out, and sign the Liability Release Form.
Now starts the outfitting. We'll help you choose the right boat, get you any needed Splash Gear, and wetsuit or wet shoes.
Next you'll get your PFD (Personal Flotation Device aqua life jacket) and a paddle. PFDs must be worn by everyone at all times when on or near the river. There are no exceptions. PFDs must be snug. They should be comfortable, but snug.
Next you ride to the put-in in a bus. This takes 15 to 20 minutes. The Guides will give a Safety Briefing during the bus ride. At the put-in, we'll take the boats to the river. Now the fun begins. You will stay together with the group. Our guides are always on the river with you.
The trip last about 2-1/2 hours on the river. It ends at the climatic Wesser Falls, the biggest Class III rapid around. It's easy to walk around this last big rapid, if you want.
Just after the falls, you'll take out and board the bus for a 10-minute trip back to our outpost. There you can change (and shower if you wish) and check out our T-shirts. Most days we will have photos available of your run through Wesser Falls. And, you'll be able to buy the photos online later.
Detailed Nantahala Trip Descriptions — Show | Hide
Classic Kids Whitewater Rafting on the Nantahala River
Active and Adventurous: Age 7 & Up
Less Active, but Enthusiastic: Age 9 & Up
Apprehensive: Age 11 & Up
Bounce and churn through more than 7 miles of cool and clear whitewater running through the Nantahala National Forest. Run Patton's Run, Tumble Dry, Whirlpool Rapid, Surfing Rapid, and end with and exhilarating run through Wesser Falls. Add our 19 years of experience taking kids whitewater rafting, our popular kid-friendly guides, and a fun and exciting (but still family-friendly) stretch of whitewater, and you get a great family adventure
Our caring and friendly guides are always on the river with you to assist with fun and safety. It's great adventure that's appropriate for active & adventurous kids age 7 & up and older kids who are a little tentative.
Active and Adventurous: Age 7 & Up
Less Active, but Enthusiastic: Age 9 & Up
Apprehensive: Age 11 & Up
Bounce and churn through more than 7 miles of cool and clear whitewater running through the Nantahala National Forest. Run Patton's Run, Tumble Dry, Whirlpool Rapid, Surfing Rapid, and end with and exhilarating run through Wesser Falls. Add our 19 years of experience taking kids whitewater rafting, our popular kid-friendly guides, and a fun and exciting (but still family-friendly) stretch of whitewater, and you get a great family adventure
Our caring and friendly guides are always on the river with you to assist with fun and safety. It's great adventure that's appropriate for active & adventurous kids age 7 & up and older kids who are a little tentative.
Duckys & Inflatable Kayaks — Show | Hide
Inflatable kayaks are on and two person rafts that add adventure and independence to your rafting trip.
We use ThrillKats, a special type of inflatable kayaks, on the Nantahala River. These are great for active teens and adults. We do not recommend Duckys on the Nantahala for anyone who is timid or apprehensive about going rafting.
The cool and active waters of the Nantahala make it great for go-getters in a Ducky, but it's a challenge for anyone else. We recommend you use splash gear or a wet suit if you take a Ducky down the Nantahala.
Duck the Tuck for an inflatable kayak adventure in a forgiving setting.
The Tuckaseigee River is a great river for inflatable kayaks. It's a little milder than the Nantahala, the waters is much warmer, and it is not as crowded. These combine to make it a great river for an inflatable kayak trip.
Click here for details on our Duck the Tuck inflatable kayak trips in a forgiving setting trips...
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USA Raft Nantahala operates in the Nantahala National Forest and on the Nantahala River by use of a Special Use Permit from the U.S. Forest Service.
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