Whitewater rafting in NC and TN on the French Broad, Nolichucky and Watauga Rivers is a Blue Ridge Mountain adventure your whole family or group will enjoy!

Mountain Adventure Guides dba USA Raft offers 7 different TN and NC whitewater rafting trips on the French Broad River, Nolichucky River Gorge, Lower Nolichucky River and Watauga River near Asheville and Boone, NC, and Johnson City, TN.

We also offer guided caving and rock climbing, a summer adventure camp for ages 10-17, a large group cabin bunkhouse on the Nolichucky River and group adventure packages.

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Book your Asheville or Boone North Carolina whitewater rafting, rock climbing, caving or summer camp adventure today!

Book or Check Availability and Trip Times Online 24-7

1-866-USA-Raft or 1-866-813-5210 (M-F, 9-6 EST) Contact MAG dba USA Raft

Scroll down for detailed descriptions of our amazing adventures, including locations, typical trip times, ages and pricing.

No experience is required for whitewater rafting and we provide everything you will need for your trip. Just bring a change of clothes and be ready to have fun and get wet! All of our rafting trips include experienced, professional whitewater rafting guides to make your adventure enjoyable.

With over 25+ years of experience, and the best guides and gear in the business, we are well qualified to guide your family or group on an amazing adventure. We have made a substantial investment in high performance, self-bailing rafts to enhance the safety and quality of your rafting experience.

We've been recognized in: Men's Journal, American Scouting Digest, National Geographic Adventure, Pilots Away, Diversion Magazine for Physicians at Leisure and Hooked on the Outdoors.

"Thank you so much for hosting the NC Division of Tourism’s United Kingdom Press and Tour Operator Group. Rafting was the HIGHLIGHT of the trip. Your guides were outstanding. They were skilled, knowledgeable and fun!" Wit Tuttell. Public Relations Director. North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.  

The French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers are the closest whitewater rafting to Asheville, NC  - just 30 or 45 min. The Nolichucky River is the closest Whitewater rafting to the High Country of Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock in NC, and Johnson City, TN.

Because our customers have different rafting needs, we offer 7 different rafting trip formats mild to wild on 3 different rivers. We encourage you to be wary of outfitters that disparage or exaggerate any particular river or trip format. There is the right trip for you and your family or group. If we do not have the right trip, we will be happy to refer you to a trusted outfitter that does.

Whitewater Rafting on the French Broad River  Marshall, NC. Class 2-3, 4. Ages 8+. Closest whitewater rafting to Asheville, NC (30 min), Lake Lure, Black Mountain, Burnsville, Wolf Laurel, Hendersonville and Brevard, NC. The French Broad River offers splashy rapids and beautiful mountain vistas. The 5 mile 1/2 day and 1/2 day trip with lunch are rated class 2-3, with rapids such as Pinball, S-Turn, Stack House, Sandy Bottom and Ledges! The 9 mile full day trip with lunch adds another 4 miles and includes class 4 Needle Falls and Frank Bells Rapid.

5 mile 1/2 day: Perfect for families or groups who are on a tighter schedule. Trips at 9:30, 1:30 and 2:15 every day. Cost: Sun-Fri: $40.95 per person. Saturdays: $43.95 per person. Group discounts: 9-26 people: $4 per person discount: 27+ people: $6 per person discount. 5 mile 1/2 day with lunch: The same section of river as our 5 mile 1/2 day trips, but includes lunch on the river. Offered at 10:30 every day. Cost: Sun-Fri: $49.95 per person. Saturdays: $52.95 per person. Group discounts: 9-26 people: $4 per person discount: 27+ people: $6 per person discount. 9 mile full day with lunch: Includes the 5 mile class 2-3 section, lunch on the river and another 4 miles with class 4 Needle Falls and class 4 Frank Bell's Rapid, which will give you a taste of what to expect in the Nolichucky River Gorge! There will be time to play at Jump Rock and Swimmers Rapid. "Full day" whitewater rafting trips at 10:30 every day. Cost: Sun-Fri: $60.95 per person. Saturdays: $65.95 per person. Group discounts: 9-26 people: $5 per person discount: 27+ people: $8 per person discount. French Broad River Rafting Tip: If you are driving to the French Broad River from the Asheville area, using a Hot Springs outfitter will add more driving and shuttle times to your day. For a step-up and a true class 3-4 whitewater rafting adventure, the Nolichucky River Gorge with 25+ named class 2-4 rapids is the "real deal."

Whitewater Rafting on the Nolichucky River  Erwin, TN. Class 3-4. With 9 miles and 25+ class 2-4 rapids, the Nolichucky River is a thrilling adventure, through truly stunning mountain scenery in the deepest canyon in the east. The USA Raft Nolichucky River Outpost is located near Erwin, TN off of I-26,  exit # 40, approximately 45 min. north of Asheville, NC, 1.25 hours to Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock, NC and 20 min. south of Johnson City, TN.

1/2 day Nolichucky River Gorge: Ages 10+. Class 3-4. All guided rafts. Faster paced than our full day trip. 1/2 day trips dayly at 8:00 and 1:30. Cost: Sun.-Fri. through $50.95 per person + tax. Saturday $55.95 per person + tax. Beginning May 15 Sun.-Fri $60.95 per person + tax. Saturday $65.95 per person (+ tax). Group discounts: 9 - 26 people: $4 per person. 27+ people: $8 per person. Full day Nolichucky River Gorge with lunch: Ages 12+. Class 3-4. There will be duckies in addition to guided rafts in late spring and summer unless high water, There will be time to surf rapids, swim and play. "Full day" whitewater rafting trips at 9:00 and 10:00 every day. Cost: Sun.-Fri.: $70.95 per person. Saturdays: $75.95 per person. (+ tax). Group discounts: 9 - 26 people: $5 per person. 27+ people: $10 per person. The Nolichucky River is near Johnson City, Roan Mountain and Lake Watauga in TN and Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, NC. Nolichucky River Rafting Tip: Not all Nolichucky Outfitters have outposts or take-outs at the base of the Nolichucky Gorge. We end our 9 mile class 3-4 Nolichucky Gorge trips at our USA Raft outpost and exclusive takeout - no shuttle is needed after your trip. You will be just steps from hot showers and cold drinks, our outfitter store and your car! Other outfitters must go another mile downstream of USA Raft (class 1-2) to the public take-out, where they will have to load the rafts and equipment and shuttle you to their outpost or meeting spot. Depending on the outfitter you choose, this could add several hours to your day.

Rafting on the Lower Nolichucky River  Erwin, TN. Ages 4+. Class 1-2, 3. Imagine a 1/2 day relaxed family rafting trip with time to swim and a chance to see Blue Herons and spectacular rock formations along the way! Many more rapids than the Watauga River, but raft with kids as young as 4+! USA Raft offers the 1/2 day Lower Nolichucky River rafting trip at 9:30 and 2:00, near Erwin, TN. Trip Cost: Sun.-Fri.: $40.95 per person + tax. Saturdays: $45.95 per person + tax. Group discounts: 9 - 26 people: $4 per person. 27+ people: $8 per person. Close to Johnson City, Roan Mountain and Lake Watauga in TN and Asheville, Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, NC.

Rafting on the Watauga River  Elizabethton, TN. Ages 4+. Class 1-2. Watauga River rafting is a beautiful 1/2 day family float trip that includes class 2 Anaconda! There will be time to splash and swim! The Watauga River is dam controlled. Raft with kids as young as 4+ on the Watauga River! Cost: Sun-Fri: $49.95 per person. Saturdays: $54.95 per person. (+ 9.75% TN tax). Group discounts: 9-26 people: $4 per person discount: 27+ people: $6 per person discount. We offer the Watauga River 1/2 day rafting trip at 2:00 PM every day in June, July and August, near Elizabethton, TN, close to Johnson City, Roan Mountain and Lake Watauga in TN and Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, NC. Watauga River Rafting Tip: The Watauga is a beautiful float trip with just a taste of whitewater. Raft with kids as young as 4+.

Worley’s Cave 1/2 day: Bluff City, TN. Family caving. 1/2 day trips available year around at 9:30 and 1:30 for ages 8+, near Bluff City, TN. Trip Cost: $55 per person + tax. Group discounts: 9 - 26 people: $5 per person. 27+ people: $10 per person. Close to Johnson City, Roan Mountain and Lake Watauga in TN and Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk, NC. About 1.5 hours from the Asheville, NC area.

Guided Rock Climbing in Asheville, NC: Offered in the mountains outside Asheville, NC at 8:30 AM. Our experiential format will quickly get you out on the rock. No experience is required and MAG provides all of the gear, including climbing shoes. The focus is on safety, learning basic skills and having fun. Ages 6+. Half-day of rock climbing: Includes introductory instruction and climbing on easy to moderate routes. Cost is $55 per person. Group discounts 9+ people $5 per person discount: Full-day of rock climbing: Includes introductory instruction, climbing on easy to moderate routes and a climbers lunch of bagels and PB&J, fruit, chips and cookies. Cost is $75 per person. Group discounts 9+ people $10 per person discount

Crockett Cabin Rustic Group Bunkhouse: Located on the banks of the Nolichucky River, near Erwin, TN. The Appalachian Trail and Nolichucky River are adjacent to the Nolichucky property and there are thousands of acres of nearby National Forest for hiking and fishing. Crockett Cabin is available March through November. Just bring a sleeping bag. Cost is $15 per person + tax. Group Discounts 9+ people $3 per person discount.

Adventure Packages for Groups Includes guided adventure activities, such as whitewater rafting, caving and rock climbing, lodging in Crockett Cabin and all meals. Groups of 9 or more people required.

Locations: The French Broad, Nolichucky and Watauga Rivers are within easy driving distance of popular tourist destinations. such as Asheville, Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Hot Springs, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock in North Carolina and Johnson City, Lake Watauga and Roan Mountain in TN.

Fully Guided Rafts and/or Self-paddled Duckies: All of our rafting trips include experienced, professional guides to make your adventure enjoyable. Guided rafts are available on all trips. You may choose an individually paddled ducky on our French Broad and Nolichucky River lunch trips and the Lower Nolichucky River at average summer water levels. You may choose to self-guide your raft on our guided Lower Nolichucky River trips at average summer water levels. See specific river trips for details.

What to Bring for Rafting: Just bring a change of clothes, a towel and get ready to get wet! USA Raft provides all the equipment you need. We recommend that you wear tennis shoes (or sandals w/ a heel strap), shorts, and a t-shirt or bathing suits. In cooler times of the year bring a wool sweater or warm fleece, and perhaps wool socks. NO FLIP-FLOPS PLEASE! Shoes must be secured to your feet. When you arrive, after signing a liability waiver, we will brief you on safety, then your white water rafting adventure will begin with our experienced guides! Let's go white water rafting in NC and TN with USA Raft!

Reservations are recommended, but we will try to accommodate short notice needs when possible. Some trips fill up many months in advance, while other adventures may have openings on short notice. Our professional whitewater consultants are experts at arranging successful river vacations! Mountain Adventure Guides dba USA Raft’s wide variety of rivers and river options enables our friendly consulting staff to create the exact vacation to match your wants and abilities.

Book Online Now! Click here to view available trip times and book online 24-7! It is safe and secure. Upon booking you will receive an email confirmation, which will include directions and what to bring. You can also print a receipt.

Book by Phone: If you would rather book by phone with a real person, have questions, need additional assistance or have a larger group, please feel free to email guide@mtnadventureguides.com or call 1-866-USA-Raft or (423) 743-7111, Monday - Friday, 9-5 EST. Thank you!

Whitewater Rafting  Raft with Kids 4+  FAQ  What to bring  Links  Reservations  Prices  Locations  Directions  Crockett Cabin Group Bunkhouse   Packages  Caving   Rock Climbing   Summer Adventure Camps