Thrill-seeker whitewater rafting adventurers have long sought out Western North Carolina and the Asheville area, which has earned national attention for water-related outdoor adventures that include everything from a relaxing float to a thrilling, rapid-filled paddle. Outside Magazine named Asheville the number one whitewater town in the country in Aug. 2006. Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventures rated Western North Carolina white water rafting as the No. 1 “Vacation with a Splash.”
The French Broad River – a class II to IV river that flows through Asheville – has been named one of the top American whitewater river trips in the Southeast.
What to bring on a whitewater rafting vacation:
You actually don’t need to pack a lot of extra gear to include a whitewater trip in your vacation plans. Here’s a basic list. And once you know which river guide company will be guiding your trip, contact them to find out if you’ll need any specific items for your trip.
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Planning your whitewater rafting trip
Several healthy getaway vacation packages include whitewater rafting in their itineraries. Most river guide companies require advance registration and some also include other amenities. Check on the river’s classifications to make sure it meets your skill levels or adventure interests.
Some offer both guided and self-guided trips. Expect some basic paddling and safety instruction before going on the river. If children will be going along, be sure they meet age requirements.
During the hot, sunny days of summer, what better way to spend a day than gliding down an area river?
Whitewater Rafting Adventures
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Adventurous Fast Rivers Rafting - group discounts, guided, guide-assisted, unguided, funyak “duckies,” sit-on-top kayaks, inflatable canoes and lake canoes for trips on the Nantahala River.
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Biltmore Estate’s outdoor activities - see the estate in a unique perspective by taking a trip down the French Broad River. Trips can be guided or self-guided.
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Blue Ridge Outing Company - children as young as age 4 can go on these 3.5-hour trips.
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Carolina Outfitters - choose to go with a guide in the boat, guide assisted or non-guided on trips down the Nantahala River. Also offers horseback riding, gem mining, mountain biking or train rides with paddling trips.
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Endless River Adventures: fully guided or rental trips on the Nantahala River.
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French Broad Rafting Expeditions: take a 4-mile or 9-mile whitewater trip or rent boats for a calm-water adventure on the French Broad River. Provides a guide in every raft.
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Huck Finn Rafting Adventures: trips on the French Broad River for any experience level, from half-day to full-day adventures.
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Mountain Adventure Guides or USA Raft: trips on the French Broad and Nolichucky rivers. No experience required.
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Nantahala Outdoor Center: half-day, full-day and overnight rafting trips for groups of any size on seven Southeastern rivers, including the French Broad and Nantahala rivers.
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Rock n’ Water Outdoor Adventures: a 4-hour “adventure class” trip on the French Broad and a 3-hour “family class” trip on the Nolichucky River.
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Rolling Thunder Rafting Company: 8-mile rafting guide-assisted, guided or self-guided trips on the Nantahala River.
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Wildwater Ltd. Rafting: several rafting trips down the Nantahala River. Also offers raft and inflatable kayak rentals, rail passes, guided trips and railroad passes.
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