Please note: Pigeon River Campground is temporarily closed and has plans to reopen in March of 2026. Make the most of your white water rafting adventure in the Smokies by staying in the Pigeon River Campground! This is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors and the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains while being within easy walking distance of our Hartford TN outpost! Here are the top 4 reasons to camp in the Smoky Mountains: Read More
If you find yourself daydreaming about white water rafting and just can’t wait until we open up for the season, this is a great time to check out some of Hollywood’s best movies that feature rafting scenes! Here are the top 4 movies to get you excited about rafting in the Smokies: Read More
Whether you are joining us for a thrilling raft trip down class 3 and 4 rapids of the Upper Pigeon River or a more leisurely float trip on the Lower Pigeon River, you will love your experience on this unique waterway! Pigeon River offers some of the best rafting experiences in the Smokies. Here are the top 4 reasons why the Pigeon River is perfect for white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains: Read More
While everyone knows we offer white water rafting, some may not know about our kayaking trips in the Smoky Mountains. This is a fun and unique way to experience the Pigeon River! We want to share some things you may not know about kayaking with us. Here are the top 5 things you didn’t know about kayaking in the Smoky Mountains: Read More
Hiking is a great way to be a part of nature, even in the winter months! You can still enjoy hiking in one of the most beautiful places in the country. There will be select trails open in the winter, but the trails that are open will be easy to navigate. You’ll have to bundle up in warm clothing, but it’ll all be worth it when you see snow covering the peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains. The breathtaking sights are just one of the many reasons you should go winter hiking in the Smokies on your next getaway. Here are 4 of the best reasons to go winter hiking in the Smokies: Read More
Although another rafting season has come to an end at Smoky Mountain Outdoors, there are still plenty of fun activities to enjoy in Gatlinburg in November! Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast who wants to stay active during the colder months or someone who appreciates the winter scenery in the Smokies, you will find lots of exciting options! Here are 3 fun things to do in Gatlinburg TN in November: Read More
If we had it our way, white water rafting at Smoky Mountain Outdoors would be a year round activity! Unfortunately, the cool fall and winter weather in East Tennessee means we can only offer rafting adventures during the spring and summer months. If you will be visiting the Smokies during our off season, however, there are still a number of excellent ways to enjoy the great outdoors during your vacation. To help you make the most of your trip, look at these 3 Smoky Mountain activities to enjoy in the white water rafting off season: Read More
You might be surprised to know the fall season is actually one of the best times of year to join us for a river rafting adventure! Although our season may be winding down, this is an excellent opportunity to experience a scenic rafting trip and take in the sights of the fall foliage! We’re offering rafting trips until October 17. Here are the top 4 reasons to experience rafting in the Smoky Mountains this fall: Read More
As the season transitions from summer to fall, our trips are transitioning from larger rapids whitewater trips to natural flow trips down the river. Many people think you can’t go rafting this late in the seasons, but you can! When you go rafting in September, you’ll have a totally different experience compared to rafting in the summer. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or not, you can have a ton of fun rafting during this time of year. Here are 4 reasons to still go whitewater rafting near Gatlinburg in September: Read More
As summer starts to wind down, water levels in the Pigeon River start to be less predictable. That’s why we transition from our massive rapids type trips to spring and fall flow trips down the river. Our spring and fall trips still guarantee a great experience in the Smokies and are a fun way to spend time in the outdoors! Here are 4 reasons to try a spring and fall rafting trip in the Smoky Mountains: Read More
If you have ever wanted to try white water rafting but have been hesitant for any reason, we are here to put your mind at ease! There are many myths out there about white water rafting that may make people nervous about getting out on the river. The truth is that it is a fun and safe activity that can easily become the highlight of your vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains! Here are the top 3 myths of white water rafting in the Smoky Mountains: Read More
We’re so excited to announce that we are a 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award winner! This special recognition is given to businesses that are known for consistently earning great reviews on TripAdvisor. We’re honored to earn this reward, and it means so much more knowing it’s because of great reviews left by everyone who’s been rafting with us! Learn more about this recognition below and why you should join SMO Rafting on the river! Read More
