Whitewater rafting on the Nolichucky River: 1/2 day "Express" trip
Reservations: 1-866-USA-Raft. Call Today! View available trip times and book online 24/7!
With 25+ years of experience, a rigorous training program and the best rafting guides and gear in the business, USA Raft is well qualified to guide you and your family or group on the French Broad, Watauga or Nolichucky Rivers. We're recognized in: Men's Journal, American Scouting Digest, National Geographic Adventure and Hooked on the Outdoors.
Whitewater rafting in the Nolichucky River Gorge is a thrilling and scenic mountain adventure. With over 25 named class 2-4 rapids, the Nolichucky River Gorge is one of the top rafting adventures in the entire east! Experience all 25+ class 2-4 rapids and 9 miles of the Nolichucky Gorge with a guide in every raft - guaranteed! USA Raft is the only Nolichucky River outfitter who offers a guaranteed guided raft trip format (ducks are available on our lunch trip).
In summer, you will generally spend 5+ hours with us (including rafting trip, shuttle to put-in, gearing up, and pre-trip speech). In spring and after heavy rain trip times can be much faster. This trip format is all guided rafts and is faster paced than our full day trip. We recommend the full-day Nolichucky Trip if members of your group want duckies, lunch or extra time to surf rapids, swim and play.
Nolichucky Gorge 1/2 day Express trip details
Trip format: a guide in every raft for all water levels (guaranteed). - Ages 10+, no experience required.
- Typical trip times: 8 and 1:30.
- Trip 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.
- group packages Crockett Cabin Bunkhouse Guided caving
Please arrive 1/2 hour before your scheduled rafting trip time.
Nolichucky River half-day Express Trip Format: 1/2 day trips always guided rafts. USA Raft Nolichucky River Tip: USA Raft is the only Nolichucky Outfitter that offers a guaranteed guided raft (1/2 day Express Trip). USA Raft has an outpost and takeout at the base of the Gorge, so there will not be a bus shuttle after your trip. With USA Raft, there will not be an after-trip shuttle. Most outfitters have another mile on the river (class I) followed by a bus shuttle.
"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. Thanks again!" Wit Tuttell. Public Relations Director. North Carolina Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
Please note: Every day on the Nolichucky River is a unique experience. The Nolichucky River Gorge half-day" Express trip is 9 miles. Trip times on free flowing rivers can vary. We have no control over water levels or trip times on the Nolichucky River, which is a free flowing river - not dam controlled. All trip times are approximate! Water levels can rise and fall very quickly on the Nolichucky. We reserve the right to lengthen or shorten trip distances, or alter section of river we raft in the interest of customer satisfaction or safety.
Our Nolichucky River Gorge whitewater rafting outpost is just 45 minutes from Asheville, NC, near the town of Erwin, TN. We're 20 min. from Johnson City, TN, and up to 1.5 hours from Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock, NC.
Making your rafting reservation is as easy as dialing 1-866-USA-Raft. Our professional whitewater consultants are experts at arranging successful river vacations. 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. Call Today!
View availability and book online 24/7 1-866-USA-Raft
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Which rafting trip is right for your family or group?
Family Class Trip:
Perfect for younger children and first-time rafters. Family class trips provide a more moderate, low-risk introduction to rafting for the whole family. French Broad River 1/2 day trip, French Broad River 1/2 day trip with lunch, Watauga River Family Float Trip, and Lower Nolichucky Family Float Trip).
Adventure Class Trip:
Action packed and exhilarating, our Adventure trips pick up the pace. More challenging and/or longer than our Family class trips, these rafting adventures are ideal for older children, adventurous first-timers, and experienced rafters. (French Broad Day Trip and Nolichucky River Gorge full-day trip and 1/2 day Nolichucky River Gorge Express).
View a regional map of the area.
| USA Raft | French Broad | Nolichucky | Worley's Cave | Watauga |
| Mileage/Time | Mileage/Time | Mileage/Time | Mileage/Time | |
| Asheville, NC | 30\0:35 | 42\0:45 | 75\1:30 | 67\1:15 |
| Charlotte, NC | 150\2:30 | 175\3:00 | 156\3:10 | 145\3:00 |
| Raleigh, NC | 275\5:00 | 250\5:00 | 250\4:30 | 237\4:00 |
| Columbia, SC | 175\3:15 | 200\4:00 | 231\3:50 | 223\3:40 |
| Johnson City, TN | 53\1:00 | 15\0:18 | 16\0:25 | 10\0:15 |
| Black Mountain, NC | 35\0:45 | 62\1:10 | 90\1:45 | 83\1:30 |
| Lake Lure, NC | 57\1:20 | 73\1:30 | 102\2:00 | 95\1:50 |
| Boone NC | 81\2:00 | 67\1:20 | 56\1:15 | 45\1:00 |
| Burnsville, NC | 29\0:40 | 43\0:53 | 58\1:24 | 44\1:09 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 475\9:00 | 500\9:45 | 526\9:00 | 519\9:00 |
| Atlanta, GA | 225\4:30 | 250\5:15 | 281\4:50 | 274\4:40 |
| Louisville, KY | 334\5:40 | 365\5:43 | 356\5:37 | 359\5:41 |
| Knoxville, TN | 75\1:45 | 100\2:15 | 111\1:47 | 115\1:51 |
| Richmond, VA | 400\7:30 | 350\6:30 | 339\5:30 | 350\5:45 |
