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July 16th, 2021
A group of friends going Pigeon River white water rafting together.

5 Tips for Pigeon River White Water Rafting With a Group of Friends

September 7, 2015 July 16th, 2021

If you’re planning a trip with your friends to Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Pigeon River white water rafting is a can’t-miss attraction! As the third most visited white water rafting destination in the country, the Pigeon River offers thrills for both veteran rafters and first timers. To help you prepare for your rafting adventure, Smoky Mountain Outdoors has put together five tips for conquering the river with a group of friends:

1. Come Prepared

If your friends have never gone rafting before, be sure to let them know how to dress and what to bring. Jeans, flip-flops, and bare feet are not appropriate rafting clothes, so you should be sure to bring a light shirt, shorts, and a pair of snug fitting shoes that won’t fly off of your feet. Because you will get wet, you should also plan to wear a bathing suit under your clothing. Bring a towel, dry clothes, and dry shoes for after your rafting trip is done.

2. Choose the Right Trip for Your GroupGroup of friends having fun Pigeon River white water rafting.

When you choose to participate in this type of a group activity, it’s possible that some of you will be more adventurous than others. We encourage friends to sit down together to choose what type of trip will satisfy everyone. Smoky Mountain Outdoors offers a very popular Pigeon River combo package that allows rafters to experience both the wild rapids of the Upper Pigeon River and the milder fun on the Lower Pigeon River.

3. Consider Seating Arrangements

Our rafts can accommodate up to seven people and a guide on each Pigeon River white water rafting trip. If you’re traveling with a larger group than that, then you should decide beforehand who will be seated in each raft that you have reserved. That way, you won’t have to make any last minute decisions when you’re about to board!

4. Stay and Play

Chances are good that you’ll want to stay for the entire weekend when you come to enjoy your rafting trip. We recommend a camping adventure at Pigeon River Campground, located just steps away from Smoky Mountain Outdoors. You can bring your RV, pitch a tent, or choose a cabin rental by the water.

Smoky Mountain Outdoors also offers more than just rafting, so you may also like to enjoy a zipline adventure with CLIMB Works. This activity can be combined with a rafting trip for a much lower price.

Enthusiastic group of friends going Pigeon River white water rafting.5. Save Money

If you can gather together at least 10 of your friends, you will be eligible for our special group rates! Just fill out the form on our White Water Rafting Group Information page, and we’ll let you know how much you can save when you raft with us.

When you and your friends come to Gatlinburg to enjoy some awesome Pigeon River white water rafting with us here at Smoky Mountain Outdoors, you are guaranteed an afternoon of nonstop fun. Rafting is an unforgettable experience that will have your group reminiscing for a long time to come, and we know you won’t be able to wait to come back and do it again. Make your reservations today to lock in your rafting spot with us!