Facebook
A man dressed as a pirate.
November 12, 2013

Planning on white water rafting in Tennessee? Before you paddle away on the Pigeon River, check out our list of the top seven things to never do in a raft. It could save you a lot of embarrassment. Trust me.

1. Sing the nautical classic, Row, row, row your boat.

Although the song might seem topical, the novelty of singing about rowing a boat, while actually rowing a boat, wears off surprisingly fast. Also, be sure to avoid Styx’s 1977 hit ‘Come Sail Away’ or the 1973 single ‘Rock the Boat’ from the Hues Corporation.

2. Dress like a pirate.

If you are wearing an eyepatch, your vision is going to be dangerously impaired. It is also well known that parrots can get very cranky when wet. And for Pete’s sake, don’t risk accidentally puncturing the raft with your hook hand!

3. Talk like a pirate.

In the event that a crew member disregards this advice, appoint yourself captain of the raft and respond as follows: “Alright ye scallywag, stop your jibber jabbering, I’ll make ye walk the plank and let the sharks make a meal of ye”. That will shut the little bilge rat right up.

4. Recreate your favorite scene from Titanic.

Shouting “I’m the king of the world” does not, in fact, make you the monarch of any planet. It also doesn’t make you any more desirable to Kate Winslet.

5. Insist that you saw a dolphin.

No, you didn’t. We’re white water rafting in Tennessee. You probably saw a rock that looked like a dolphin.

6. “But, I’m really sure I saw it.”

I’M TELLING YOU IT WAS A ROCK. LET IT GO.

7. Ask to play shuffleboard.

I think you are confusing an inflatable raft with a cruise ship. Don’t feel bad, it happens all the time. And before you ask, no, we don’t have a breakfast buffet.

Now that you are an expert on the do’s and don’ts (well, mostly the don’ts) of rafting etiquette, you are ready to spend the day at Smoky Mountain Outdoors. We’re the best place for white water rafting in Tennessee! Our guides have a ton of experience, and they promise to never dress or talk like a pirate (excluding national Talk Like a Pirate Day). Visit our Rafting Trips page to learn all about our mild and wild rides down the Pigeon River!

Book A Rafting Trip Now
rafting on the Pigeon River
December 26, 2013
Know Before You Go: 3 Tips for River Rafting in Tennessee
An extreme rafting trip with Smoky Mountain Outdoors.
November 6, 2013
What To Do If Your Raft Flips Over
A family whitewater rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors.
July 23, 2016
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Goes Whitewater Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors
Gatlinburg white water rafting with kids
August 11, 2014
6 Questions To Ask Before Going White Water Rafting in Gatlinburg
search

Rafting Experiences

Upper Pigeon River
  • Moderate Trip - 2 Hours
  • Ages 8+ or 70lbs
Book Now
Lower Pigeon River
  • Easy - 1 to 1/2 Hours
  • Trip times may vary with water levels
  • Ages 3+
Book Now
Extreme Upper Pigeon River
  • Moderate - 1 1/2 to 2 Hours
  • Trip times may vary with water levels
  • Ages 12+
Book Now