The Cheoah is a nine-mile stretch of narrow technical whitewater newly opened for commercial rafting and kayaking in Western, NC. It is located outside of the mountain community of Robbinsville, west of Bryson City and the Nantahala Gorge. It is two hours west of Asheville, NC. It begins below Santeetlah Lake Dam, parallels Hwy 129 and finishes at Calderwood Lake. Beautiful scenery, limited availability and challenge make this a standout trip.
The Cheoah is a dam release river with a very limited number of release dates. . The water releases try to reflect natural rain events, therefore the river level fluctuates each "event" between 850 and 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs). For the 2008 season, Wildwater will be operating trips on 4/19, 4/20, 5/3, 5/4, 5/10, 5/11, 5/17, 5/18, 8/17, 10/4, and 11/1.
Wildwater Trips will meet at O'Henry's Parking Lot in the Cheoah River Gorge. Each trip will last about 4 hours, includes a full lunch and has a guide in each boat. This will be the most challenging of any of the whitewater trips Wildwater offers.
Call 800-451-9972 for trip times. For the Afternoon trip Guests should arrive 45 minutes early to enjoy lunch before their trip.
Our lodging Partner in the area will be Historic Fontana Village.
Trip Description:
The Cheoah takes rafting in the Southeastern US to the next level. It is four miles of Class III warm up followed by five miles of Class IV/V intense and continuous whitewater rafting. With a half dozen Class III, thirteen Class IV and Class V rapids stacked one after the other with narrow, blind, and constricted channels, the Cheoah adds an experience not found before in this region. The Cheoah is an advanced trip appropriate for experienced rafters. You must be 16 and have recent Class IV whitewater experience.
The Cheoah is a high level rafting adventure with our highest guide to Guest ratios. The guides trained and selected to lead rafts down the Cheoah are among Wildwater's most experienced and highly skilled. Although the trip only takes 3 hours, guests will experience more rapids and challenges than even our exciting full day Section IV trip or Ocoee combo.
Lunch is included with all trips for convenience since the river is located in a rural part of Western NC. A hearty appetite will be generated and we have an excellent riverside lunch area.
Overview of rapids in the Cheoah Gorge:
The Cheoah River is a nine mile narrow creek style river with many blind runs
through large boulders and even small trees that remain from 50+ years with
little to no water in the river. It is a combination of large waves, quick turns
& maneuvers and large drops. There are four Class III, thirteen Class IV
and one Class V rapid on this nine-mile stretch. The gradient averages 83 feet
per mile. The maximum gradient is 146 feet per mile including a stretch that
drops 134 feet per half a mile. A swim out of a raft will be long and difficult
and self-rescue skills (such as swimming to and climbing back into a moving
raft) may be necessary.
The river trip begins (similar to the Upper Ocoee River) with mild rapids and
gradual building over the first few miles. Sections are blind and require maneuvering
into limited channels with many obstacles. Once the rapids begin to build they
continue to increase in challenge, continuousness, and size to the end of the
run at Lake Calderwood. Rapid names include Bear Creek Falls, Chaos, God's Dam,
Tapoco, and Python.
Guest Requirements:
All guests must be at least 16 years old. A driver's license or ID may be required.
You should be in good health and expect to participate actively in paddling
and maneuvering your raft for the entire nine-mile trip. You must have participated
in a high class III/IV experience in the past 2 seasons (such as the Ocoee,
Chattooga IV, Gauley, etc.). Those that have paddled the Nantahala, Pigeon or
Chattooga Section III should participate in one of our other more advanced trips
before attempting the Cheoah. An Ocoee/Cheoah or Chattooga IV/Cheoah package
can be arranged. Rafters may be required to demonstrate the ability to return
to and climb back into a raft at the beginning of the trip. This is not a typical
family vacation rafting experience and parents are strongly urged to consider
the abilities of teens considering participation.
As a new and limited release opportunity, Wildwater has no facilities on the Cheoah River. Wildwater has partnered with Fontana Village Resort for this experience. Wildwater & Fontana Village Resort have been working together for over 15 years. Fontana is located 45 minutes from the Cheoah Guest parking area called O'Henry's. Cheoah guests are encouraged to stay the night before their trip at Fontana Village. Packages are available including overnight accommodations at the Inn at Fontana Village. A representative will be available at Fontana Village to guide you on your way to the river. Those coming in for the day and Guests traveling from Fontana will meet at O'Henry's parking area. Wildwater has reserved parking for our Guests at O'Henry's, it is located on Hwy 129 in the Cheoah River Gorge just down from the General Store.
Wildwater will have a person on site to provide logistical support and greet Guests at the O'Henry's parking lot. There will be a Wildwater banner at our parking site.
As always, come wearing your rafting clothing and bring a change of clothes, which can be left in your vehicle. Leave all valuables and items your want to keep dry locked in your car. All rafters must be age 16 or older and sign a waiver before getting on the river. As stated earlier, this is an extremely advanced river trip and rafters must have paddled Class IV or greater whitewater (Ocoee, Chattooga, Gauley, etc.) within the past 2 seasons.
Directions:
Wildwater Ltd. Cheoah Rafting trips meet at the O'Henry's parking area located along Hwy 129 in the Cheoah River Gorge.
Traveling from the southwest: From Murphy or Andrews, NC on Hwy 19/74 North, take a left onto Hwy 129 North towards Robbinsville. Stay on 129 N through Robbinsville and towards Lake Santeetlah. The O'Henry's Parking lot is on the right across from the General Store located on the river. Identify yourself as a guest of Wildwater; we have reserved spots for parking.
Traveling from the east: From Bryson City, NC, travel on Hwy 19 South through the Nantahala River Gorge, take a right on 129 North. Stay on 129 N through Robbinsville and towards Lake Santeetlah. The O'Henry's Parking lot is on the right across from the General Store located on the river. Identify yourself as a guest of Wildwater; we have reserved spots for parking.
Traveling from Knoxville: Travel South on Hwy 129 into North Carolina towards Lake Santeetlah and Robbinsville. The O'Henry's Parking lot is on the left a couple miles after passing Tapoco Lodge.
Traveling from Fontana Village: Take Hwy 28 North to intersection with Hwy
129. Travel South on Hwy 129 towards Lake Santeetlah and Robbinsville. The O'Henry's
Parking lot is on the left a couple miles after passing Tapoco Lodge.
Each trip will carry a maximum of 24 guests. There will be four Guests and a guide in each raft. There will be a kayaker with each trip for increased safety and rescue. There will be one trip in the morning and one in the afternoon. Morning guests will need to arrive at the O'Henry's parking area no later than 7:45am. Afternoon guests will need to arrive by 12:00. Guests staying at Fontana will receive a detailed packet of information at check-in with waiver forms, directions, etc. Lunch will be served at O'Henry's Riverside Picnic Area between trips from 12:00 to 1:00 (or until the morning trip returns).
Prices (prices do not include FS $3 fee or room taxes):
Cheoah Gorge Rafting: $139/person
Cheoah Gorge with Inn at Fontana Village Resort: $184/person (Double Occupancy)
Inn at Fontana Village Resort: Additional nights $89/room double occupancy
Wildwater:
Main Reservations Center: 800-451-9972
Fontana Village Resort: 828-498-2211 (Donna Res. Mgr.)
Map of Cheoah River
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Map