Smoky Mountain Outdoors

White water rafting in the Smoky Mountains combines the thrills of an amusement park ride with the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountain area. As you plan your visit to Smoky Mountain Outdoors, be sure to pay special attention to what you will wear. Choosing the wrong clothing can put a serious damper on your white water rafting adventure. To help you make the right clothing decisions, we have provided some fashion advice for your next trip down the Pigeon River.
Read More

When Hurricane Helene formed in the Caribbean, it appeared likely that the Smoky Mountains would take a direct hit. The storm reached Category 4 before slamming Florida’s Gulf Coast, then headed north toward the Smokies. However, as it traveled, the course shifted east and dropped an unbelievable amount of rain across Southern Appalachia. While most of the Smokies were far enough west of Helene’s Path to escape with only minor flooding, our white water rafting outpost suffered substantial damage due to our location along the Pigeon River. Though buildings were lost, we will persevere! Read on to learn about the rebuilding of Smoky Mountain Outdoors: Read More

If you’ve been searching for the closest white water rafting outfitter near Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountain area, you just found it! Our Pigeon River outpost is situated just about 45 minutes north of Gatlinburg, making it an easy half-day trip for those seeking the best outdoor adventure in the Smokies! Here are the top 4 things to know about our Tennessee white water rafting outpost: Read More

For those who don’t know, wildlife found in the Smokies are born with the instinct to follow the same geographical path as the relatives who have come before them. They do so in search of many different things, including food, mates, and territory. The problem is that humans have made natural migration more difficult by dividing their pathways with roads and infrastructure. In an effort to bring awareness to this issue, we have recently partnered with the Safe Passage project: Read More

It is no exaggeration to say the Jennette family has a lifetime of experience on the river. Read More

Being outside is scientifically proven to improve both your physical and mental health. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides many opportunities to explore the outdoors and elevate your health. Get outside and experience the benefits from a change of scenery for yourself! Here are 5 benefits of getting outdoors in the Smokies that boost your mood: 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

If you always thought about going white water rafting in the Smokies, now is the time to book your trip! Our rafting trips are a fun adventure that the entire family can enjoy and are perfect for anyone 3 years and older! All of our trips are fully guided and every guest is issued a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device so you don’t even need to know how to swim! Here are the top 4 things that will make you want to book your trip for rafting in the Smoky Mountains today: Read More

We no longer offer inflatable kayaking trips.

While Smoky Mountain Outdoors is certainly known for our popular white water rafting trips in the Smokies, many folks are pleasantly surprised to find out that we also offer inflatable kayaking excursions! This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the beauty of the region while enjoying a guided whitewater adventure on the Pigeon River! Here are the top 5 things you’ll love about kayaking in the Smoky Mountains with us: Read More

White water rafting is one of the most exciting adventures in the Smoky Mountains! When you go rafting with us at Smoky Mountain Outdoors, you’re in for a treat. We make your experience on the river both safe and enjoyable! Here are 5 things to know about rafting in the Smoky Mountains with us: Read More

Are you looking for the ultimate outdoor adventure in the Smoky Mountains? You’ve come to the right place! At Smoky Mountain Outdoors, we’ve partnered with CLIMB Works to create the ultimate adventure for our visitors. You can now go white water rafting at Smoky Mountain Outdoors and do a scenic canopy tour at CLIMB Works! Find out all you need to know about our Gatlinburg zipline and rafting package: Read More

We know you’re counting down the months until rafting season begins – we can’t wait either! Luckily though, the Smoky Mountains are filled with fun things to do all year long! We’ve come up with 3 Smoky Mountain activities for you to try in the winter to help pass the time until you and your family’s white water rafting trip. Read More