Those in search of adventure and fun find themselves at home on Western North Carolina's rivers.
High Praise for Asheville Water
Outside Magazine named Asheville the number one white water town in the country in August 2006. And Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventures rated Western North Carolina white water rafting as the number one "Vacation with a Splash."
Home of a Top River
The French Broad River—a class II to IV river—flows through Asheville and has been named one of the top American white water river trips in the Southeast.
Planning your whitewater rafting trip
Many of our outdoor adventure vacation packages include white water rafting in their itineraries. Be sure you check the river’s classifications before your trip to ensure your skill level and interest matches the 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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Blue Heron Whitewater - Closest whitewater rafting outfitter to Asheville, 18 miles northwest, Blue Heron Whitewater offers a variety of trips on the French Broad River.
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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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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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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.
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.
- A towel and change of clothes
- Sturdy shoes or river sandals
- A bathing suit and/or shorts and a T-shirt
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof cameras
- Sunglasses
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