Chattanooga, Tennessee, is chock full of outdoor adventures. Mountain biking, rock climbing and hiking are year-round pursuits. Chattanooga is near two rivers with whitewater rafting, a perfect way to be active outdoors in the summer months. The Nantahala River Gorge, an eight-and-a-half-mile stretch of the Nantahala River, has class II and III rapids. The Ocoee River has class II, III and IV rapids.
Combo Trips
Many whitewater rafting trips give you about two hours on the water. Carolina Outfitters Whitewater Rafting has full-day adventures on the Nantahala River. Whatever trip you take--guide-in-boat, guide-assisted or non-guided--you get a second, non-guided trip the same day for half price. Or you can choose combination trips such as rafting and horseback riding known as "paddle and saddle," bicycling and rafting ("paddle and pedal") or panning for gems ("paddle and pan"). The family-friendly rafting trips require that children weigh at least 60 pounds, or be at least 7 years old.
On the Ocoee River
Just an hour from Chattanooga, you can get an adrenaline rush down class III and IV rapids. Cascade Outdoors offers rafting trips on the Ocoee River, including the 1996 Olympic course. The two-hour Middle Ocoee trip is great for adventure-seeking beginners. The five-hour Full River Ocoee Rafting outing includes some gentle class II rapids in the Upper Ocoee, as well as the Olympic section. Lunch is included. Rafters must be at least 12 years old.
Discount Trip
Cherokee Rafting offers discounted whitewater rafting trips on the Ocoee River on Mondays. The company offers both two-hour Middle Ocoee, as well as five-hour, 10-mile Full River Ocoee experiences, for those 12 and older. The family-owned company provides a catered lunch on the full-river trips.
Learn to Paddle
If the typical 10-minute orientation before a whitewater adventure is not enough for you, Nantahala Outdoor Center has a Paddling School that goes beyond the basics. Nantahala Outdoor Center offers Middle Ocoee River and Upper/Middle Ocoee Combo trips, along with a High Ropes Adventure Course for after you raft. The adventure course includes a climbing wall, two-person zip line and a giant swing. The course, and whitewater trips, are for ages 12 and up.
Tubing Trip
Outdoor Adventure Rafting has whitewater rafting trips down the Ocoee River where you can relax after on a river tubing trip. The one-and-a-half-hour trips--for anyone 5 and older--in vinyl tubes give you more time in the water. Further adventures include a low-ropes course, rappelling and rock climbing and a 50-foot alpine tower.
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