FAQs

Yes! We're happy to announce that we are OPEN! SMO is a lifestyle and an attitude. The people of SMO reach beyond comfort and overcome challenges. We love our jobs. We love providing great experiences and memories. We worked hard to rebuild so that we could reopen for our 2025 season. Come join us on the river!

Yes, all of our trips are fully guided.

Our Pigeon River Outpost is located about 45 minutes northeast of Gatlinburg. It is the closest white water rafting to the Smoky Mountain area. Click here for a map of the area and directions to our outpost.

Do I Need A Parking Tag?

Yes. A valid parking tag must be displayed when parked for more than 15 minutes anywhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Three tag durations are available for purchase for all vehicle sizes and types:

• Daily: $5
• Weekly: $15
• Annual: $40

Interagency passes (Senior Pass, Access Pass, etc.) are not accepted in lieu of parking tags. Parking tags are not replaceable, refundable, transferable, or upgradeable. Each tag is valid for a single vehicle and must include a license plate number matching the vehicle in which it is displayed. Backcountry campers, picnic pavilion reservation holders, and Concession customers are not exempt for the parking tag requirement. Registered frontcountry campers do not need a parking tag to park at their campsite. Visitors with a handicap plate or placard do not need a parking tag.

Where Can I Get A Parking Tag?

You can purchase all tag types online ahead of your visit or you can purchase tags in-person and on demand/onsite.

Annual Tags (Online Purchase) can be purchased through Smokies Life at SmokiesLife.org. The tag will be mailed to you, so leave at least 14 days for it to arrive before your planned visit. The annual parking tag is in the form of a cling that will be adhered to the vehicle's windshield on the front, lower, passenger side.

Daily and Weekly Tags (Online Purchase) can be purchased at recreation.gov. You will receive your tag via email. You must print your tag and display it in your vehicle; park staff will not print it for you, and digital representations will not be accepted. You must know the license plate number of the vehicle(s) you will be visiting in. The daily and weekly tags will be paper and should be displayed in the front, lower, passenger side of the dashboard.

Automated Fee Machines (Daily and Weekly Tags - Purchased In-Person/Onsite) Year-round, 24 hours/day. Credit card only.

• Cades Cove Entrance Parking Area
• Deep Creek Parking Area
• Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Newfound Gap Overlook

Visitor Centers (Daily, Weekly, and Annual Tags - Purchased In-Person/Onsite) Be sure to check hours of operation.

• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Cades Cove Visitor Center
• Kuwohi Visitor Center
• Gatlinburg Welcome Center
• Swain County Visitor Center
• Townsend Visitor Center

No, every guest is issued a type 5, Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device. This lifejacket is designed to give you all of the floatation needed on the river.

There are thousands of lodging options and attractions in Gatlinburg TN located nearby for you and your family to enjoy after your white water adventure.

There are no upper limit weight requirements. Our lifejackets can accommodate a chest girth of 54". You can try on one of our PFD's at our Gatlinburg Office prior to making a reservation.

The minimum age/weight for the Upper Pigeon Trip is 8 years old or 70 pounds. Children must be at least 3 years old to go on the Lower Pigeon Trip.

Yes, we provide a discounted per person rate. For school, church, girl/boy scout troops, and other groups, visit our Groups page for additional information.

The spring and fall trip availability will be based on local rainfall. From Memorial Day to Labor Day the flow is consistent and we can schedule accordingly. During the summer months, we raft Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Please call or check our website for up-to-date trip times.

We do not recommend rafting if you are more than two months pregnant.

Cooler Months: For optimum comfort, synthetic, quick-drying layers. We don't recommend cotton. It holds water and wicks away body heat. Secure shoes with a heel strap are required (tennis shoes, water shoes, sports sandals with a heel strap). Wool or fleece socks will help keep you warmer.

Summer: Shorts / No jeans / No denim / Bathing suit or t-shirt / Secure fitting shoes. No flip-flops or bare feet allowed. Bring a dry towel, dry clothes, and dry shoes for after the trip.

Anything that you bring on the river will get wet and could possibly get lost during the trip. We have lockers available on site where you can store your camera while you raft. Keep in mind we capture pictures during your adventure that you can purchase from our office.

We do raft in the rain. Rafting is one of the best rainy day activities because getting wet is part of the fun! We may delay the trip for a few minutes to allow a strong storm to pass.

Cancellation Policy:

For Groups Greater than 10: Full refund with notice 7 days or more prior to trip date. We'll reschedule or offer vouchers for cancellations within the 7-day window.

For Groups Less than 10: Full refund with notice 48 hours prior to trip date. We'll reschedule or offer vouchers for cancellations within the 48-hour window.

Yes, parking is always included in your rafting trip.

We have plenty of parking at our riverside outpost. All trips begin and end at the outpost.