Stretching from North Carolina to East Tennessee, the Pigeon River runs 70 miles from its mouth at the French Broad River, to its discharge location in Newport, Tennessee. The river is impounded by the Walters Hydroelectric Dam in Haywood, NC, and flows through the Great Smoky National Park and into Tennessee. The Pigeon River also…
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Summer is now at its peak. It’s hot, and you’re probably looking for something fun to do with your family and friends. Well, look no further. At River Rat, we offer a wide variety of fun, outdoor activities that are suitable for groups of all ages. From our signature rafting adventures to kayaking and zip…
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Sitting at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest is Newport, Tennessee — the largest city in Cocke County. Even with this designation, it’s a small city compared to the large cities it lies between on Interstate-40: Knoxville, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina. While Newport (found just off I-40 exit 435)…
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What is more fun than an exhilarating, heart-pumping, potentially soaking wet, warm-weather afternoon? Whitewater rafting is one of the most fun activities to do on a hot summer day. Whether it’s a family vacation, team-building exercise with coworkers, or a group of friends on an afternoon trip; whitewater rafting is a great activity for people…
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Whitewater rafting is an awesome summertime activity to do with friends and family. You get to stay cool, all while enjoying the outdoors in a heart-pounding, adrenaline-pumping fashion! While this may seem like an activity for more experienced aquateers, it’s quite fun and safe for children as young as three years old. No matter what…
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Planning a Family Getaway this Summer? The Great Smoky Mountains are an excellent vacation destination for families all year round. With over nine million visitors each year, the Great Smoky Mountains are the most visited national park in America. From flowers and baby animals in the Spring to the changing leaves in the Fall, the…
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Take a hike! Chances are, if you’ve ever heard or said those words it wasn’t in the most pleasant circumstances. But there is a place where those three words can bring a smile and a whole lot of fun! Take a hike…in the Smoky Mountains! A trip down the Pigeon River with Smoky Mountain Whitewater…
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The personal benefits of whitewater rafting in the Smokies are easy to see. It’s a fun, relaxing time away from the daily grind. The mix of adventure with the beauty and serenity of the Great Smoky Mountains is a perfect way to decompress and recharge when life gets stressful. What may be less obvious are…
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When I was a kid, my summers were not complete until I had one or two visits to the waterpark at the beach where my family vacationed. I would hit the gates running and do all the high-action rides over and over and over until the water and sun had sapped all my energy. When…
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I don’t know about you, but during Spring, all I want to do is get outside! I love the perfect temperatures, bright blue skies and all the beautiful sights as nature awakens from its Winter slumber. And I can think of no better place to experience the newness of Spring than in the Smoky Mountains.…
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