Bring along the whole family for this exciting river adventure!

Duration

Approximate River time: 3 hours

About

• Difficulty: Class II & III
  – Distance: 10KM/6+miles
  – Number of Rapids: 18+

Bring along the whole family for this exciting river adventure! Watauga, the Cherokee phrase for ‘sparkling water’ describes this crystal clear, immaculate waters perfectly. As you cruise down river through plentiful class two and three rapids, you will embrace the beautiful surroundings of the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding east Tennessee farmland. Featured as our beginner-rafting trip, the Watauga is appropriate for all ages and skill levels. Please note that on Sundays we do a shorter trip with less rapids on The Trophy Section of the Watauga River rather than Section 5 due to the dam not being released on Sundays.

Upon Arrival

• When you arrive at our convenient, riverside outpost in Elizabethton Tennessee, you will be personally fitted with top of the line gear. Then, you and your friends and family will load up into a River and Earth Adventures van where our knowledgeable, expert guides will give you a brief scenic tour of the area until we reach our put-in destination.

• With all your gear, you’ll be ready to undertake the misty, unforgettable beauty of the Watauga. After a thorough and entertaining safety talk by our expert guides, you will hop into your rafts just under the notorious Wilber Dam. After an introductory float trip, you will have the opportunity to jump off a twenty-foot cliff into the brisk waters beneath—a great way to wake you up for the adventure to come! Take pictures or your friends will never believe this invigorating leap of faith.

• After maneuvering through several class one and two rapids you will be prepared for the infamous Anaconda rapid. This class three rapid has become the iconic image for southeastern whitewater. The cascading boulders and hidden holes make this stretch of river an exhilarating adventure for the whole family. Also, make sure to smile for our hidden cameraman ready to capture your surprised faces as you tumble down Anaconda!

• The remainder of your rafting journey will wind through a plethora of smaller rapids and skinny side waters. As you bump and rumble through these rapids it will be impossible to miss the beautiful scenery with plenty of colorful birds and other wildlife. Through the final section of river there are many possibilities to take a quick dip in the river or explore a nearby bank. Your adventure wraps up directly behind our outpost where we provide changing stations and even an ice cream cone!