Summary

Raft & Rail Nantahala

Prices From	USD$ $79.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Wildwater Ltd.
Destination	Nantahala River
Duration	Full Day with Lunch
Challenge	Easy
Avg Rating	Not Rated

A ride on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad is followed by a rafting trip on the Nantahala River. The Nantahala is a popular and exciting eight miles of Class II and III rapids. Scenery and new experinces abound on both these excursions. Your trip trip will start in Bryson City, NC and travel to the Nantahala River Gorge crossing the Fontana Trestle on the way. When the train reaches the top of the gorge you will disembark and be taken to the beginning of your rafting experince. Rafting orientation and gearing up will be quickly followed by launching on the swift clear current of the Nantahala River. Typical rafting on the Nantahala is a Follow-a-Guide format where some of the rafts have a guide in them and others follow. Full instruction and orientation is a part of every trip. A Fully Guided options is available at an extra cost (If you want this option be sure to arrange when making your reservation). Transportation back to your car is included. Allow seven hours for your experience. Children must weigh 60 pounds.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Please check-in at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad Train Depot in Bryson City at least 45 minutes prior to you departure time. A parking fee is required. There will be a Raft-n-Rail check-in counter near the GSMRR Check-in where you will be required to read and sign a waiver. You should be dressed in your rafting attire, keep your towel, change of clothes and items you want to keep dry and safe in a carry on. The train will depart the Depot promptly and travel approximately two hours crossing the Fontana Lake Trestle and into the Nantahala Gorge. At the top of the gorge the train will stop and you will be transported the last mile to the rafting put-in by bus. You will leave your carryon on the bus, receive an orientation, and rafting equipment. This trip follows a Guide Assisted or Follow a Guide format. There is not a guide in every raft, if you would like to guarantee a guide you must book one in advance (there is an additional charge). After a review of paddling strokes and commands we will launch right into Patton's Run where we are all guaranteed to get wet. Another eight miles of class II and III rapids will end with a run through Nantahala Falls. At the take-out you will ride on our bus to the Wildwater Nantahala Rafting Center where your dry clothes, changing rooms, showers and gift shop will await you. A photo show of your trip will commence shortly after everyone has a chance to change into dry clothing. Lunch will be served in our Nantahala Pavilion. When everyone is ready we will provide transportation back to the train depot in Bryson City and your car.

Gear List

Please ride the train in the clothing you plan to raft in. In warm weather; shorts or a bathing suit, T-shirt, tennis shoes or sandals with an ankle strap, allergy medications, sunscreen and glasses strap if your wear them. A towel and a change of dry clothes for after the trip can be left in your car, we will give you a place to store your car keys off the river. In cooler weather add "warm when wet clothing"; wool sweaters, wool socks, synthetic fleece jackets, fleece or wool hat, wetsuit booties, wetsuits, etc. In cool weather cotton jeans, T-shirts, and sweatshirts are NOT recommended. Better to be prepared for the worst than underdressed, the water temperature of the Nantahala is very cold, even in the summer. Nylon shell paddle jackets are available free of charge. Wetsuits and wetsuits booties are available for rent all season.

Travel Information

Activity Location Nantahala Rafting Center, Bryson City, NC 10345 Hwy 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 USA

Money You may want to bring along a little money in case you want to purchase a snack on the train or are interested in purchasing a T-shirt or photo after your trip.