White Water Rafting & Ziplining in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains!
White water rafting in North Carolina is hugely popular in the Appalachian mountains in the western part of the state, for good reason! Western North Carolina is home to two spectacular ranges of mountains – the Smokies and the Blue Ridge. The Smoky Mountains are located both inside and adjacent to the famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park bordering North Carolina and Tennessee. The Blue Ridge mountains include the Appalachian range north up through Virginia and south into north Georgia and south western South Carolina. Did you know the Appalachians are the oldest mountains on earth?
The Nantahala River is the most popular white water rafting river in North Carolina and is only an hour plus from Asheville. The Nantahala is one of the top 3 most popular rafting rivers in the entire USA! This 8 mile stretch of crystal clear water is the perfect friendly introduction to rafting with easy and consistent white water and a few bigger rapids that are still great for first timers and kids. The Nantahala has a long history as a year-round Olympic and World Championships training river for white water athletes.
Ziplining in the Southeast started in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of North Carolina! Canopy tours are a perfect fit for this region because of our abundant forests, huge trees, and remarkable natural elevation gains. Wildwater was the first to pioneer world class full length zipline canopy courses here. Choose from a full zipline course or the Kid Zip course at our North Carolina zipline location at the Nantahala.
Share This Trip
Nantahala Trips
Nantahala River Rafting – Guided
Perfect introduction to the fun of North Carolina white water rafting! Ages: 7+
Learn More
Nantahala River Rafting – Rentals
Know how to paddle already? Rent a raft with your friends! Ages: 7+ or 60+ lbs.
Learn More
Nantahala River Rafting – Duckies
Solo and double inflatable kayaks for huge fun! Ages: 7+ or 60+ lbs.
Learn More
Nantahala Lodging
Make a vacation of your Smoky Mountain adventure with affordable, convenient lodging choices within walking distance of our Nantahala Rafting Center.
Learn More
Nantahala Gorge Canopy Tours
Fly through the trees on this full length zipline course! Ages: 8+
Learn More
Jeep Tours
The Nantahala Jeep tour features some of the spectacular waterfalls in the Smoky Mountain region.
Learn More