USA RAFT LOCATIONS: The French Broad, Nolichucky, Nantahala and Watauga rivers are within an easy driving distance of popular Western North Carolina and East Tennessee tourist destinations, such as Asheville, Black Mountain, Lake Lure, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Cashiers, Highlands, Franklin, Dilsboro, Bryson City, Maggie Valley, Hot Springs, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock in North Carolina and Johnson City, Lake Watauga and Roan Mountain in TN.

If you would like to combine some sightseeing with rafting, our express and half-day trips work well into a busy schedule.

Area Map and Google Directions.

USA Raft on the French Broad, Nolichucky, Nantahala and Watauga River:

Directions to USA Raft French Broad River 

The French Broad River is the closest whitewater rafting to Asheville, NC. Our outpost is about 30 min from Asheville, NC, 50 min. from Black Mountain, NC and 1.25 hours to Lake Lure, NC.

USA Raft French Broad River: Physical address: 13490 US 25/70. Marshall, NC 28753

Driving time to the French Broad River: Raleigh, NC: 275 miles/5 hours. Charlotte NC, 3 hours, Columbia, SC 175 miles/3.25 hours.

Directions to USA Raft Nolichucky River

The Nolichucky River is about 50 miles from Asheville, NC (50 min.) and 1.5 hours from the Boone, Blowing Rock and Banner Elk area of the high country in NC.

Driving time to the Nolichucky River: Raleigh, NC: 250 miles/5 hours. Charlotte, NC 3.5 hours. Columbia, SC 200 miles, 4 hours.

USA Raft Nolichucky River: Physical address: 2 Jones Branch Road. Erwin, TN  37650.

Directions to USA Raft Watauga River

USA Raft Watauga River: 1551 Broad Street, Elizabethton 37643

Directions from Boone, NC

1. Take the 1st right onto US-321 N/US-421 N/W King St
Continue to follow US-321 N/US-421 N 6.4 mi
2. Slight left at US-321 N 10.8 mi
3. Turn right to stay on US-321 N
Entering Tennessee 7.8 mi
4. Turn right at TN-159 W/US-321 N 5.0 mi
5. Turn left at TN-67 W/US-321 N/US-321 Scenic N/U.S. 321 Scn
Continue to follow TN-67 W/US-321 N/US-321 Scenic N 9.5 mi
6. Turn right at TN-37 N/TN-67 W/US-19E N/US-321 N/US-321 Scenic N
Continue to follow TN-37 N/US-19E N/US-321 N/US-321 Scenic N 5.1 mi
7. Turn right at Broad St Exn 1.0 mi
8. Continue onto Broad St
Destination will be on the left

Directions from Elizabethton, TN

From TN-37 N/US-19E N/US-19E Scenic N/US-321 N/US-321 Scenic N
Turn at intersection onto Broad St Exn 1.0 mi
Continue onto Broad St
USA Raft will be on the left 1.0 mi: 1551 Broad St

Directions to USA Raft Nantahala River

USA Raft Nantahala River: Physical Address: 11044 Highway 19 West • Bryson City, NC 28713. We are located in the Nantahala Gorge on US Hwy. 74 & 19 between Bryson City & Murphy, NC.

Directions to USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost

From Bryson City Take Hwy 74 W toward Murphy. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split.

From Murphy and Andrews, NC. Take Hwy 74 E toward Bryson City. We're on Hwy 74 about 12 miles east of Topton. You'll drive along the Nantahala River and then leave the river. We're on the left less than 5 minutes from when you leave the river. USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is about 30 minutes from Murphy.

From Cherokee Follow US 441 South to the Hwy 74 intersection. Take Hwy 74 West toward Bryson City and Murphy. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split. Look for the "USA Raft" sign on the right. We are about 30 minutes from downtown Cherokee.

From Gatlinburg Follow US 441 South through the Smoky Mountain Park and into Cherokee. Follow the directions from Cherokee above. We're about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Gatlinburg.

From Waynesville/Lake Junaluska Take US Hwy 74 West. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). Our Nantahala Outpost is on the right about 2-1/2 miles past the split. Look for the "USA Raft" sign on the right. USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is about 50 minutes from Waynesville.

From Maggie Valley Take US 19 to Cherokee or Waynesville and follow the directions above. Our Nantahala Outpost is about 1 hour from Maggie Valley.

From Franklin (about 1 hour) and North Georgia Take US 441 North to Hwy 74 W. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split. Look for the "USA Raft" sign on the right. Our Nantahala Outpost is about 1 hour from Franklin. **** An alternative route from Franklin is to take Hwy 28 from Franklin to Hwy 74, then take Hwy 74 W the last 10 minutes to our Nantahala Outpost. This will usually save you about 20 minutes, but part of Hwy 28 is very curvy. It's a good road, and scenic, but curvy. Hwy 441 and 74 are limited access four lane roads until the final 2 ½ miles of your trip.

From Highlands Follow US 64 West to Franklin, and then follow the directions above. It'll take about 1 ½ hours from Highlands.

From Cashiers Follow 107 from Cashiers to Sylva/Dillsboro and follow US 441 North to Hwy 74 W. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split. Our Nantahala Outpost is about 1 hour 25 minutes from Cashiers.

From Asheville Take I-40 West to Exit 27 at Waynesville. This puts you on US 74 West. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split. It'll take about 1 hour 15 minutes from Asheville.

From Atlanta Follow I-85 to I-985 towards Gainesville, GA. This becomes US 441/23. Follow US 441 North past Franklin, NC to Hwy 74 W. We're about 10 minutes past Bryson City on Hwy 74. About 8 miles past Bryson City the road forks, take the left fork (which is still Hwy 74 W toward Murphy). USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost is on the right about 2 ½ miles past the split. Our Nantahala Outpost is about 3 to 3.5 hours from Atlanta. From Atlanta, you can also reach us by going to Blue Ridge GA and then to Murphy NC. Follow the directions above from Murphy NC.