Top Tennessee On the Water

Enjoy a thrilling day out on the Pigeon River with this private guided whitewater rafting tour. Meet in Hartford for a safety briefing, the head to the river to tackle 5 miles (8 kilometers) of class III to class IV rapids, with scenic views of the Cherokee National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains along the way. No experience necessary.

Travel down the Cumberland River on a 2-hour pontoon cruise designed for you to have fun whilst enjoying the sights of Nashville! The Nashville Water Taxi is the premier water activity company in town with easy boarding location within walking distance of Downtown Nashville. You'll be greeted by your licensed USCG Captain and Deckhand who will offer you drink (for purchase) before setting sail, giving you the opportunity to relax on board, soak in the sights, and enjoy some Nashville History. Live narration will begin after departing the dock and will continue while cruise along the Scenic Cumberland River. Don't miss out on the local history, wildlife, and amazing photo opportunities of the Nashville Skyline! Note: Bar is available onboard to purchase a wide variety of drinks including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. (Ex. water, soda, local & domestic beer, wine, canned cocktails and champagne!)

With as many as 100,000 endangered grey bats coming to roost around the caves of Nickajack Lake, this kayaking tour near Chattanooga offers an exceptional opportunity to watch them on their nightly hunts. You’ll visit the Nickajack Bat Cave and Wildlife Refuge in the Tennessee River and paddle out to the bat cave. While these animals take to the sky during sunset, you’ll learn about the local efforts made to protect and preserve the species.

Go whitewater rafting in Tennessee with this half-day adventure along the Ocoee River. After a short safety introduction, board a private bus for a ride through the Cherokee National Forest. Climb aboard the raft and experience more than 20 class III and class IV rapids while descending the river gorge. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to swim, if you wish, on this nature-filled escape from the city.

The Ocoee River formed naturally without any of the undercuts or sieves present in most waterways. For our rafters that means we can push the boundaries of what a non-professional can experience. At OAR we train for longer then any other company. We are also the only company that requires each guide to complete an EMR certification as well as a Swiftwater Rescue class. This enables us to confidently do things on the water other companies can't and take guests that other companies won't.

The nation's most-popular whitewater rafting trip offers near-constant excitement from start to finish and is located just below the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Course. Many rafters consider the Ocoee’s intensity and difficulty “just right" with a greatest hit compilation of rapids. Highlights of the run—and there are many—include huge waves at Double Trouble, fast, frenzied currents at Tablesaw and the boat-drenching punch through Hell Hole rapid.

While visiting Memphis, take a guided sightseeing tour of downtown, passing many landmarks and enjoying some free time to explore. Then board a paddlewheel boat for a cruise on the Mississippi River. See Memphis’ highlights, including Beale Street and the former mansions of the Victorian Village neighborhood—ideal for first-time visitors. This combo tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels, for your convenience.

Hop aboard for the Island Pointe Tour along the scenic French Broad River and experience one of the most unique ways to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. This guided jet boat adventure blends breathtaking scenery with engaging narration from your captain, who brings the river’s history, wildlife, and hidden features to life. Cruise through a beautiful stretch of river lined with rolling hills and mountain views as you make your way to one of the tour’s standout features a majestic riverside cave. Your captain will take you right up to the cave, sharing stories and fun facts that make this stop a guest favorite and a great photo opportunity. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife like bald eagles, osprey, turtles, and deer often seen along the shoreline. With a mix of relaxing sightseeing and light adventure, the Island Pointe Tour is perfect for families, couples, and groups looking to experience the Smokies from a fresh perspective.

Take to the water for an adrenaline-fueled whitewater rafting adventure along the Upper Pigeon River. Enjoy spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains as you paddle through the gorge, tackle more than a dozen thrilling Class III and IV rapids such as ‘Snapdragon’ and ‘Powerhouse’, and perhaps jump in to cool off with a swim.

Test your rafting skills on the white-water rapids of the Upper Pigeon River with this private rafting adventure. Set off with an expert guide to take on the churning river and enjoy views of the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. Navigate the river with tips from your guide, stopping along the way to take a dip.

Paddle into scenic serenity with this small-group clear kayak tour of Old Hickory Lake, led by a knowledgeable guide. Glide across transparent waters, spot wildlife beneath your kayak, and learn about local ecology and waterways on this immersive, off-the-beaten-path experience. Ideal for nature lovers, couples, and adventurers who want a unique perspective on Nashville’s lakeside beauty.

See the highlights of Memphis and learn about the city in a deeper way than you could on your own on a city tour. Get your bearings as you pass by key landmarks or upgrade to a package that includes a ride on a riverboat and or a visit to Sun Studio, where Elvis Presley recorded his first song.

The Tennessee River’s Chickamauga Dam is a marvel of engineering, holding back floodwaters while producing hydroelectric power. Experience this impressive structure up close by kayaking through the dam’s lock on this remarkable guided tour. Over the course of around three hours, you’ll paddle into the lock, watch the gates close, and slowly sink down some 50 feet before paddling back out into the river.

Get a new perspective on Chattanooga with a rafting adventure tour on the Middle Ocoee River. After a safety demonstration, set off on a white water rafting excursion through the scenic Cherokee National Forest. Experience class III and IV rapids as you descend the river gorge. Paddle through the rapids during this exhilarating river adventure.

No need to travel far to take this thrilling Pigeon River white-water rafting tour, which departs from a central location right by Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg—one of the closest put-ins in the area. As the lengthiest rafting trip on the Pigeon River, this excursion is perfect for thrill seekers, while a guide on every raft makes it appropriate for rafters of all experience levels.

NOC Lower Pigeon River rafting is the highlight for families vacationing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee or those looking for a relaxing scenic trip. Paddlers ages three and up will enjoy this float trip with gentle rapids and splashing waves, while professionally trained river guides bring the fun with stops for swim and play. Our trips offers scenic views as it flows along the Northern border the along the edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. With just a short drive from both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, this trip provides an unforgettable experience and enjoyment for the whole family. Experience the river with NOC's trained guides who bring the trip to life with stories, knowledge of flora and fauna, and stops along the way for swimming and play along the Great Smoky Mountains.

A cornerstone of Smokies vacations, the Pigeon is the closest whitewater rafting tour to Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Discover Memphis’ rich history, musical heritage, and Southern cuisine on this comprehensive “best of Memphis” tour. Take in all the highlights of downtown Memphis, from the Blues bars of Beale Street and historic Victorian mansions, to the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and one of Elvis’ early apartments. Get insight into the city's amazing heritage at the your choice of one of three museums only found in Memphis: The National Civil Rights Museum, the Smithsonian's Rock 'n' Soul Museum, or the Edge Motor Museum. After visiting your museum of choice, you'll be driven safely to the Memphis Riverboat to enjoy a scenic cruise on the Mississippi River.

Enjoy a little bit of everything during this unique, small-group combo tour in Nashville: tick off top landmarks in downtown Nashville—from the Tennessee State Capitol to famous honky tonk bars— in a comfortable golf cart, get a peek at the city’s Instagrammable murals, and taste locally brewed moonshine, whiskey, and vodka in two distilleries.

This is the perfect experience for a family or a group of friends. Get out on the Cumberland River and enjoy a hassle-free kayaking experience for one of the best views of Nashville. No need to worry about organizing transfers or kit rental—a shuttle ride is included to the start point, and kayak equipment rental is included.

Prepare to get wet on an exciting Smoky Mountain rafting adventure down the Pigeon River. Even if it’s your first time, grab a paddle and navigate dozens of class I and II rapids that offer plenty of splashes and thrills but are perfect for beginners. The closest rafting to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, this 2-hour afternoon trip makes a great addition to any Smoky Mountain family vacation.

The Ocoee River is one of the most popular destinations for whitewater rafting in Tennessee and flows through the heart of the Cherokee National Forest. On this tour, you’ll get a full day on the water, with full instruction and lunch included. Get your adrenaline pumping as you tackle Class III and IV rapids, admire the views as you cruise downstream, and raft down part of the ‘Olympic section’.

Take your rafting skill to the next level with this private guided excursion on the Ocoee River. Slip on your helmet and life vest and set off on a Puma raft—this narrow, short raft rides the rapids differently than standard river rafts and guarantees an adrenaline-pumping adventure that will leave you thrilled. Take a break along the way to surf and swim during a calm stretch of river and pick up tips and techniques from your expert rafting guide.