Rafting season is daily March to November. Caving is year around.

1-866-USA-Raft or book online anytime.

Crockett Cabin & Bunkhouse.  Erwin, TN at the Nolichucky River Outpost. Large cabin for groups & families. Just bring a sleeping bag! $10 per person + tax.

USA Raft Nantahala River Outpost  Our Nantahala River Outpost offers a picnic areas and pavilion, volleyball court, retail store, hot showers, changing rooms and plenty of room to park.

Nantahala River Camping  Pitch your own tent. Open field camping is available at the Nantahala River Outpost. One night FREE open field camping with rafting trip! Additional open field camping is only $3.95 per person per night!

Nantahala River Tents on Platforms  Easy and economical camping in our pre-set tents on platforms is available. There are thick foam cushions for comfort! Only $6.95 per person per night. Just bring your sleeping bag!

Worley's Cave  Bluff City, TN. Ages 8+. Kids love Worley's Cave! Worley's Cave is an unspoiled, "wild cave" that is known for its voluminous size. Explore the beauty of natural cave features and formations, and learn a bit about the life and geology of an undeveloped limestone cave. Just $38.95 per person + tax. Experience is not required. Gear is provided.

Reservations 

Reservations are recommended, but we will try to accommodate short notice calls when possible. Space is limited per trip, especially on weekends, holidays and the summer vacation season. Some trips fill up many months in advance, while other adventures have openings on short notice. 

When you have selected your trip date, call us at 1-866-USA-Raft and our reservationists will be happy to secure for you the available adventure of your choice!

Ages for rafting  There are minimum age requirements for our trips.

• Caving ages 8+
• Watauga River ages 4+
• Lower Nolichucky River age 4+
• Nantahala River ages 7+ or 60+ pounds
• French Broad River ages 8+
• Nolichucky River Gorge ages 12+

Weight  60+ pounds or ages 7+ for the Nantahala River. There are no minimum weight limits for the other rivers we raft.

Experience  No experience is required and all gear is provided for all of the rivers we raft. We have taken many families with no rafting experience on the Nolichucky, Nantahala, Watauga and French Broad Rivers! You know your family or group best! We recommend the Nolichucky River Gorge and French Broad full day trips only for active, health people.

What to Wear  For summer, bathing suits or quick drying shorts and a t-shirt are fine. For cool weather wear wool or synthetic clothes such as fleece, but not cotton like jeans or sweats. We provide complimentary splash gear and/or wet suits in cooler weather. Sports sandals with a heel strap or old tennis shoes are perfect for feet, but not flip flops. Waterproof cameras and sunscreen are available in our outposts.

Don't bring  Please do not bring anything you do not want to lose in the river forever. Please leave coolers, book bags, towels and changes of clothes in your car. We can not take them on the river.

Trips start on time. Please arrive at our outpost 1/2 hour before your scheduled trip. 

Extreme Water Levels  We reserve the right to move to a different section of the river or another river for reasons of safety or low/high water. No refund or rain checks will be issued unless we completely cancel the day's events. No cash refund.

How much time to expect to be with us  All trip times are approximate and include check-in, outfitting, safety talk, shuttles and time on the water. River levels can change very quickly on free flowing rivers quickly, and there are other factors beyond our control, which may lengthen or shorten stated approximate trip times.

Weather  We raft rain or shine, since you're going to get wet anyway.

Ducky's  We offer ducks and ThrillKats to first timers on many of our trips at average water levels. There is no additional cost. See below for a particular river's trip format. A 'Ducky' or ThrillKat" is a cross between a kayak and a raft that you sit on top and paddle your-self. Stable, sturdy and easy to maneuver, ducks are a delightful way to paddle a river. 

Directions

FAQ

Q: Who can raft?  A: All of our rivers have age requirements. Anyone who meets the age requirements for a specific river and is in healthy physical condition can raft. Our trips are divided up into separate categories for all ages and experience levels. USA Raft is also able to accommodate most disabilities. Pregnant women should not raft. If you have a specific question, please feel free to email us or give us a call at 1-866-USA-Raft.

Q: What happens if there is bad weather?  A:  Our trips go rain or shine. You're going to get wet anyway. Trips are rarely canceled. If there is a problem our reservation staff will notify you as soon as possible.

Q: What is a 'Duck'?   A:  A 'Duck' is a cross between a kayak and a raft. Stable, sturdy and easy to maneuver, ducks are a delightful way to paddle a river. It doesn't take an expert boater to handle one. We offer ducks to first timers on many trips. Double ducks are for 2 people.

Q: What is a ThrillKat™?   A: ThrillKats™ are designed to be super stable. Great for first-time paddlers and experienced rafters alike, this catamaran style inflatable handles rapids well.

Q: What should I wear?  A:  During the Spring and Fall the weather and water can be cool. Swimsuits, water-proof windbreakers or jackets, wool or polypropylene shirts, and wool socks are ideal. Wetsuits, as well as spray-jackets and boots, are available to rent at our outpost on a first come, first serve basis. Summer months are generally warmer and usually a swimsuit and shorts are fine. T-shirts can also be worn for protection from the sun, as well as a baseball cap and sun glasses. Please remember to wear sunscreen. Shoes:  Shoes are required for all of our rafting trips. Tennis shoes or sandals with a heel strap are allowed. PLEASE NO FLIP FLOPS. Cotton is not recommended.  (This includes jeans and sweatshirts.) When it is wet, it robs your body of heat and is unsuitable for physical activity. Synthetic clothing is best.

Q: How safe is rafting?  A: We know that you are concerned about rafting as a group activity. As with any physical activity there is risk of injury involved in rafting. As a professional rafting outfitter, our job is to minimize that risk through preparation, guide training, and high-quality equipment. Team USA has some of the highest skilled on-river staff you'll find anywhere. Our guide staff completes a rigorous training program and must be certified First-Aid and CPR before taking customers on the water. In addition, USA Raft has made a substantial investment in high performance equipment to enhance the overall quality or your rafting experience. This effort is being made to maintain out standards of excellence for all of you.

Liability

Although we have an excellent safety record, there is inherent risk of injury in adventure activities. We assume no liability for personal injury or loss of personal belongings. You will be required to sign a personal injury waiver and assumption of risk/photo waiver before your trip. Copies of our waiver and assumption of risk forms are available upon request.

Q: What are your facilities like?  A: Our facilities are convenient and clean. The Nolichucky River Outpost has hot showers and a large cabin bunkhouse.

Reservations: 1-866-USA-Raft. Call Today!  View available trip times and book online 24/7!

Hotel and Cabin Accommodations

Our links page    Asheville Area   French Broad River Area   Nolichucky River Area

Area Camping

Log Cabin Group Bunkhouse Rental Crockett Cabin is a rustic, traditional log cabin bunkhouse for groups and large families, located on the banks of the Nolichucky River. Adjacent to Cherokee National Forest and the Appalachian Trail, Crockett Cabin has a sand volleyball court, bonfire pit, large fireplace and bbq grills.