A beach vacation may bring countless hours of fun on the water, and a mountain getaway may offer unbeatable natural scenery in forested solitude. In the Great Smoky Mountains, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds! You don’t have to go all the way to the beach for playtime in the water. Make the most of your vacation time with these splash-filled things to do on the Pigeon River in Hartford and Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge.
Whitewater Rafting
The Pigeon River in Hartford, TN, is well-known for its whitewater rafting scene, featuring Class I through IV rapids. Between the beautiful mountain setting and glimpses of native wildlife on the river, shredding the gnar in a raft is a must when traveling to the Smokies!
You’ll find some of the best whitewater rafting tours at Rafting in the Smokies. Since 1978, their certified and trained guides have safely escorted thousands of visitors along the river through both adrenaline-pumping rapids and serene floats. Their tour of the Upper section of the river ventures through 12 Class III and IV rapids, perfect for the daredevils in your group. If you prefer a gentler experience for your first time, try the Lower Pigeon River Scenic Family Float, crossing Class I and II rapids over a slower-paced 6 miles.
Big Creek Expeditions hosts two similar tours of the Upper and Lower sections of the Pigeon River. If you’re struggling to decide which one to do, why not try both? This premier rafting company also offers a full-day adventure covering both sections at a lower cost than booking both separately. Get ready to learn how to paddle from your expert guide, navigate the tricky spots under their guidance for 6 miles, then take a break to swim. After that, you’ll embark for another 6 miles, where you’ll get to gaze up at 5,000-foot mountains, drink in the fresh air, and see if you can spot owls, snakes, bears, deer, and other wildlife.
River Tubing
Like whitewater rafting, river tubing is a fantastic way to find interactive time with the Smoky Mountain rivers. That said, tubing is ideal for families with small children under age 8 who may not be old enough yet to ride on whitewater. Plus, tubing is a gentler experience for those who are nervous about the rapids and those who love to adventure with their dog.
Take a trip out to Townsend, TN, where you’ll find the two tubing outposts for Smoky Mountain River Rat. Outpost A is perfectly suitable for your dog or small child, featuring calm rapids, plenty of swimming holes along the way, and even a rock jump. Outpost B is a great next step to work your way up to whitewater rafting. While this route is not recommended for dogs or small children, the more adventurous individuals in your group will love the heart-racing excitement of the larger rapids in an inner tube. Take your time playing in the swimming holes, or rent a private cabana to relax by the riverside all afternoon.
Fishing
In Eastern Tennessee, anglers of all experience levels are welcome to fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, rock bass, and smallmouth bass. While the Little Pigeon River and Pigeon River are both popular places to find fishing spots, you’ll also find many more secluded areas inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park allows year-round fishing in all 2,900 miles of its streams, as long as you have the proper permit. Make sure you purchase your fishing license from the Tennessee or North Carolina state governments. Follow the NPS possession limits of 5 trout and 20 rock bass total per day.
Swimming Holes
If you’re working with a tight budget, you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get some splash-filled fun in the water. The local swimming holes are free and open to the public. These are just a few of the easiest ones to find:
- Greenbrier – Take Route 321 in Gatlinburg to Greenbrier Road leading into the national park. You’ll find plenty of parking areas, picnic spots, and easy access to the Little Pigeon River for fishing and swimming.
- The Sinks – About 12 miles west of Gatlinburg in Townsend, The Sinks features a bridge and wide cascades. Park at the Meigs Creek Trailhead and find a safe, shallow area for swimming on the other side of the falls.
- Metcalf Bottoms – Take Wear Cove Gap Road to the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Bring some barbecue or fried chicken for a picnic, then enjoy the broad area of access points to the Little River for swimming and tubing.
Waterfall Hikes
Before you embark on your playtime in the fresh Smoky Mountain waters, warm up first with a brisk hike to a waterfall. Once you’ve worked up a bit of a sweat while savoring the beautiful scenery, a dip at the swimming holes will feel wonderfully refreshing. You can’t miss these hikes to spectacular waterfalls:
- Ramsey Cascades – Before you jump into the Greenbrier swimming holes, continue just a little further up Greenbrier Road to find the Ramsey Cascades trailhead. After a 4-mile hike out (8 miles roundtrip), you’ll witness the tallest waterfall in the entire park. It’s worth the strenuous hike through old-growth forests to see this incredible 100-foot waterfall and its little red salamanders.
- Laurel Falls – Named for the evergreen shrub that lines the trail in springtime, Laurel Falls is another impressive waterfall at 80 feet high. Find the Laurel Falls Trail off Little River Road in Cades Cove. Make sure to wear well-fitted hiking shoes for a moderately difficult 2.6-mile trail full of rough, uneven and slippery sections.
- Grotto Falls – Take a scenic drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail until you find parking at stop #5. Once there, you’ll find the Trillium Gap Trail, a moderate 2.6-mile hike leading through old-growth hemlock forests to the 25-foot Grotto Falls.
In Conclusion
The rivers of the Smokies are as diverse as they are numerous. While one river offers world-class whitewater rafting, another is ideal for tubing or swimming. Plus, the thousands of miles of creeks running through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park contain abundant fishing spots and spectacular waterfalls. Dive into the deep secluded forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, and you’ll find picturesque freshwater rivers suited to all kinds of splash-filled activities!
