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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. "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.
LOCATION: The French Broad, Nolichucky 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, 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.
USA Raft on the French Broad and Nolichucky Rivers:
Directions to 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.
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 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.
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 | 47\1:00 | 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 |
