Best Whitewater Rafting in Gatlinburg Tennessee

Raft the Pigeon River along Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg | Pigeon Forge | Sevierville

Experience Rafting in the Great Smoky Mountains

Big Creek Expeditions is a well-established company that has been providing guided rafting trips on the Pigeon River since 2004. We have a team of experienced and trained guides who are passionate about the outdoors and dedicated to providing a safe and exciting experience for our customers. We offer whitewater rafting and scenic float trips throughout the day or combine both for a full day river adventure. We also have options for family-friendly trips, group trips, and corporate events. 


We provide whitewater rafting trips on the “Upper Pigeon River” and scenic float trips on the “Lower Pigeon River", each of which has different levels of rapids and scenery. The rafting season typically runs from March to September, depending on weather conditions and water levels. We also offer additional activities, such as zip-lining and horseback riding. Choose a combination package and enjoy more savings and more fun!

Upper Pigeon River

If you have a thirst for adventure and have dreamed of paddling down a river with your friends, family or group through the Smoky Mountains, this is the trip for you. Experience the Great Smoky Mountains in a whole new way, with panoramic views of ancient mountains, thrilling rapids that will leave you soaking wet, and an immersive experience that will keep you smiling from ear to ear.

UPPER PIGEON RIVER

Lower Pigeon River

If you are traveling to the Smoky Mountains and want to go rafting in Tennessee, but have children between the ages of 3 and 7 or are looking for a mild, but stunning, river experience, the Scenic Float trip is for you. Expect gorgeous mountain views, splash, swim and sight-see, sit back and relax while soaking up the sun as our guides navigate you down the most scenic stretch of river in the Great Smoky Mountains area.

LOWER PIGEON RIVER

Full-Day Pigeon

Combine our Whitewater Rafting trip and Scenic Float trip for a full day of splashes, laughter, and memories. Start the day with a scenic float soaking up the sun as you wind through the Smokies on the Lower Pigeon River. Then top off the adventure with some excitement as you transition to rafting the class III-IV whitewater of the Upper Pigeon River. This is the BEST way to experience the Great Smoky Mountains!

FULL-DAY PIGEON

Zip Line Adventure

We have two different ziplines we offer. One is the highest and longest zipline East of the Grand Canyon found just a few miles off the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The other is a zipline tour for the whole family Featuring 7 lines that are up to 2,000 feet long.

ZIP LINE ADVENTURE

Horseback Riding

Experience the Smoky Mountains on horseback, with a 3.5 mile loop winding past ponds, a creek, an old moonshine still and up a ridge to million dollar views of the Smoky Mountains. Conveniently located right off the main Parkway in Pigeon Forge, horseback riding with 5 Oaks Riding Stables will leave you and your group with memories to last a lifetime.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Group Adventures

Have a group of 10 or more? No matter your reason for gathering in the Smoky Mountains, a rafting trip with Big Creek Expeditions will provide an experience that will leave you and your group solidified and feeling accomplished.

GROUP ADVENTURES

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Experience Tennessee with Big Creek Expeditions

Many of our customers have praised us for our friendly and professional staff, beautiful scenery, and exciting rapids. They also appreciate the guides' knowledge and willingness to answer questions and make the trip an enjoyable experience.

Safety

We strive to ensure that all of our guests have a safe experience. Guides are required to be certified in CPR and First-Aid. Guests will be provided with top quality safety equipment. Your safety is our highest priority.

Guides

Our guides on average have 10 years of rafting experience. They are determined to make sure every guest has an exciting and memorable rafting adventure.

Facilities

With a brand new outpost we have a lot to offer such as an easy check-in process, photos to view as soon as you get off your trip and a fully stocked store for your souvenir needs.

TESTIMONIALS

  • "We will be back!"

    "We had a fantastic time! There are a lot of rafting companies in the area but Big Creek is definitely top of the line. They have a beautiful outpost and shower/bathroom building. Wayne, our guide, was fantastic and very engaging with us. Will definitely be back! If you are in the area this is the experience to have."

    Matt Denham

  • "Outstanding Experience"

    "My 15-year old son, my sister, and our 14-year old cousin chose the Upper River rafting trip while the rest of our family went on the Lower trip. To say we were nervous is an understatement! None of us had ever rafted before, but after the safety briefing led by Fish, along with his jokes to loosen up the crowd, we felt much better. Our guide, Chewie, was outstanding! He's been rafting for 39 years and settled our nerves more with his knowledge of the river. This rafting experience was amazing and fun! If we're ever back in this are of TN, we'll definitely be going back to Big Creek Expeditions!!"

    Ashley O

  • "Fantastic Experience"

    "We had such a fantastic experience with Big Creek Expeditions! The check-in process at their outpost was incredibly easy and smooth. The shop has lots of merchandise to choose from and their restroom/changing building was very nice. Our guide was Jedi Mike, and he was awesome! If we are back in the area, we will definitely book through them again!"

    JoAnn A