Trips and Rivers

Trip Reports will be available soon!

River Information
Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico

Nantahala River:
State: North Carolina	Nearest Town: Wesser
Driving Times: from Atlanta: 4:00 Hours from Asheville: 1hour :20 minuets from Chattanooga: from Knoxville:
Class Whitewater: II-III+
General Information: "The Nanty" as some people call it may be one of the most loved rivers ever. This river is dam controlled with daily releases throughout most of the year.The 8 mile run features everything from calm flatwater sections, pushy class II white water to the class III Pattons Run and Nantahala Falls. While some consider this a "beginner's river" we suggest getting a little experience elsewhere before venturing out on the Nanty. A swim here can be long and arduous and will definitely be cold. The Nantahala is perhaps the coldest river in the Southeast. Year round water temps here average between 45 and 55 degrees. Dressing for the river's cold water will ensure a comfortable trip. This is probably the most heavily used river in the country. It is estimated that over 160,000 rafters paddle this river annually. Holiday weekends guarantee the most traffic.
Photos of Major River Features: Coming Soon
Warnings: Paddle clear of large rubber objects floating in the water! Let's face it, most rafters don't have a clue as to what they are doing and most rafts on the Nantahala are of the unguided variety. Rafting should be left to people that know what they are doing. Boat control for the inexperienced really gets in the way of having fun. Rafts are like big floating undercut rocks; respect each one as such. Watch out for the rafters because they aren't going to watch out for you.
American Whitewater Information For The Nantahala
Release Information from Duke Power
Links To Other Information On This River: GORP "A River of Riches" Boating Beta Nantahala River Flows Page
Shuttle Information: For $4.00 you can catch a shuttle with the rafting buses at the NOC. Go to the NOC rafting check-in and tell the workers there you want to catch a shuttle. They will hook you up.
Local Retailers and Outfitters: Nantahala Outdoor Center Endless River Adventures
Where To Eat: There are three restaurants on the NOC campus. The River's End is located next door to the NOC Outfitter's Store and overlooks the Nantahala River. Across the river is Slow Joe’s Riverside Café which is good for a quick snack or fast food meal. The more sophisticated eatery at the NOC is Relia’s Garden which is located up the hill on the other side of the railroad tracks. Other options are several choices in near by Bryson City.
Where To Camp: Our favorite campground in the Nantahala River Area is the Nantahala Wesser Campground located less than a mile and a half from the take-out at the NOC. This campground offers hot showers, large well spaced campsites, and is located away from the noisy traffic of the highway. There is a convince store that is walking distance away (if you want to walk). It is opens the weekend of the NOC Spring Fling in April and closes with the NOC Guest Appreciation Festival in October. It is generally wide open during the summer but does get full during the Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July and during the GAF. You can make reservations by calling Ms Pauline at 1-828-488-8708
May 22nd & 23rd, May 29th 2004
A printable map to the Nantahala Wesser Campground at the Nantahala River is available here.

Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico

Cartecay River:
State: Georgia	Nearest Town: East Ellijay
Driving Times: from Atlanta: 1hour:30minutes from Asheville: 3 Hours : 30 Minuets from Chattanooga: from Knoxville:
Class Whitewater: II - II+
General Information: A free flowing river located in the North Georgia mountains. This is an excellent river for beginning and novice paddlers. This short run of about 2 miles has lots of flat water for learning basic moves, small rapids for learning maneuvers, and 3 larger rapids for improving skills. The recovery pool at whirlpool is a good location for working on a flatwater roll and then transitioning into the moving current.
Photos of Major River Features: Coming Soon
*Warnings* The Cartecay actually runs through a neighborhood. Please be respectful of the rights of the homeowners along the banks of the river. Do not trespass or leave your litter along the way. Be careful parking at the takeout. There are only a few designated parking spaces at the take-out and parking ANYWHERE outside of the designated area will ensure that your vehicle will be towed. A few cars have even been vandalized that were parked legally there. We highly suggest arranging a shuttle from the nice people at River Right.
American Whitewater Information For The Cartecay
USGS Online Real-Time flow Information (Coosawattee River)
Links To Other Information On This River
Shuttle Information: A great thing about this river is the shuttle arrangements provided by River Right Outfitters. During the weekends and holidays in the summer they provide free shuttle services for everyone on the river. Shuttle services begin sometime around 10am and the last shuttle picks up at the take-out around 6pm. During weekdays stop by the River Right store on Hwy 52 and arrange for a shuttle to pick you up. While this is a free service we highly suggest a nice tip for the hard workers that are kind enough to provide the services that they do.
Local Retailers and Outfitters: River Right Outfitters
Where To Eat: The Cajun Depot (Ellijay)
Where To Camp: Camping is available at the River Right put-in. Although this is very convenient local farms in the immediate area make the flying insect situation in the area almost unbearable during the summer months. Another possible area to camp is at near by Carter's Lake which has camping as close as 20 minutes away.
June 6th 2004

Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico

Nolichucky River:
States: North Carolina & Tennessee	Nearest Towns: Popular N.C & Erwin TN
Driving Times: from Atlanta: 6:00 Hours from Asheville: 1:00 Hour from Chattanooga: from Knoxville:
Class Whitewater: III- IV
General Information: The Nolichucky is a remote river run of about 8 miles with limited access. A free flowing river, the run begins near Poplar North Carolina and meanders through a deep gorge that ends near Erwin Tennessee. Only a railroad runs along the length of the run. The only way out other that by water is a long hike along the railway on river left. Come prepared and with your skills in check. This run is not in anyway for beginners. The Nolichucky begins with several class III rapids, has one Class IV and ends with a two mile slow flat water paddle. The class IV water is"Quarter Mile" which is a long and technical rapid ending with "Murphy's Ledge". After Murphy's the river gets mellower as you go. The scenery in the gorge is awesome as is the run it'self. A great run through beautiful mountains; this river is a must do.
Photos of Major River Features: Coming Soon
*Warnings*: The information available from the TVA Info Line is about 12 hours old. Any recent rains in the area can result in much higher water levels than what is reported. Also enter the gorge well prepared with food, water and a good first aid kit, you and your crew are on your own in the gorge.
American Whitewater Information For The Nolichucky
USGS Online Real-Time flow Information TVA gauge reading call 800-238-2264 & press 3
Links To Other Information About This River: allaboutrivers.com
Shuttle Information: Although the river run is 8 miles the shuttle round trip is about an hour. Shuttles are available from at the local outfitters and from the Nolichucky River Gorge Campground. Shuttle fees can be costly here around $15 - $20. If you choose to set up your own shuttle there are directions available here on the Ashville Area Boating Beta Page. Print out the directions and follow them to the T.
Local Retailers and Outfitters: Nolichucky River Gorge Family Campground NOC Nolichucky USA Raft Nolichucky
Where To Eat: Not many choices here. Erwin has a few mom and pop resturants but hey tend to close early and are untested by us. Johnson City TN offers the best bets for fast food and pizza but is a 30minute ride from the take-out.
Where To Camp: We highly suggest you resist camping at the Nolichucky River Gorge Campground due to the horrendous noise from the local train yard that echoes through the valley. A full night's sleep is almost impossible here unless you are in a coma. The best place to camp in the area is at the Rock Creek Campground which is located along highway 395 between the Put-in and Take-Out. This is a first come first served campground. You can check availability of sites by calling the campground office at (865) 743-4452.
June 19th & 20th 2004

Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico

Ocoee River:
State: Tennessee	Nearest Town: Ducktown
Driving Times: from Atlanta: 3:00 Hours from Asheville: 2 Hours : 50 Minuets from Chattanooga: from Knoxville:
Class Whitewater: III- IV
General Information:
Photos of Major River Features: Coming Soon
Warnings
American Whitewater Information For The Ocoee
Recreational Release Schedule for 2004: Upper Ocoee (Coming Soon) Middle Ocoee
Links To Other Information On This River: GORP Ocoee Destination Page
Shuttle Information
Local Retailers and Outfitters
Where To Eat
Where To Camp: Cripple Creek Campground
June 12th & 13th 2004

Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico

Tellico River:
State: Tennessee	Nearest Town: Tellico Plains
Driving Times: from Atlanta: 4hours:30 Minutes from Asheville: 3:00 Hours from Chattanooga: from Knoxville:
Class Whitewater: II-IV
General Information:The Tellico River runs through a narrow gorge in Eastern Tennessee. In most discussions it is split into the Upper and Middle sections. The Upper Tellico is basically a series of ledges followed by some technical whitewater. It terminates at the bridge below the Class IV rapid "Jerrods Knee". This is where the Middle Tellico begins. The difficulty of the river drops significantly at this point and the river picks up a drop-pool character. The drops on the middle section are mostly Class II stuff with a couple of Class IIIs thrown in for good measure.
Photos of Major River Features: Coming Soon
Warnings: The Tellico is very rain dependent. Watch the river guages to be sure it is running before making the drive to this remote area. However when the river does rise it rises fast. You may pre scout the river from the roadside and be looking at a nice 2.0ft run but within minutes it can rise significantly and when you put in you're dealing with a raging torrent at 4ft and above. The class II-III becomes Upper Ocoee type white water.
American Whitewater Information For The Middle Tellico
USGS Online Real-Time flow Information
Links To Other Information On This River: The Asheville Area Boating Beta Page (best info) GORP Hillbilly Whitewater Paddle South Tellico River Stats
Shuttle Information: You're on your own here.
Local Retailers and Outfitters: The nearest outfitter is the Rock Creek Outfitters at the Ocoee river in Duck Town TN.
Where To Eat: Hardees in Tellico Plains
Where To Camp: We suggest camping at the Holly Flats campground. While it may take a good 30 minutes to drive to from the put-in, it offers peace and quiet.
June 12th or 13th 2004 (if running)
A printable map to the Tellico River Area is available here.

Nantahala | Cartecay | Nolichucky | Ocoee | Tellico
If you have any additional information on any of these rivers please contact us and we will add it.

All printable maps and the Ocoee release schedule require the Adobe Acrobat Reader available as a free download here.