As spring flowers fade and cool breezes linger, summertime draws near…sure to bring heat waves and sweaty attire. Now is the perfect time for a refreshing vacation! Beat the summer heat by splashing around in the Great Smoky Mountains, from tubing down Little River and whitewater rafting with your pals to fishing for rainbow trout and lounging in your very own private indoor pool. No matter where you stay, be it Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, keeping cool in the Smokies will be a breeze!
Tubing in Townsend
See local flora and fauna in a whole new light as you tube down Little River at Smoky Mountain River Rat in Townsend, about 20 miles from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge attractions. Grab the whole family and hop (gracefully) onto your tube to drift downstream for an hour or two as you relax with incredible views of nature on the Family-Friendly Float, starting from Main Tubing Outpost A.
Best of all, you can take your precious pooch along for the ride with a tethered tube to yours as this family-owned and -operated business is pet-friendly; just be sure your doggie is comfortable with wild water and weighs under 60 pounds. While lifejackets are provided with your wristband purchase, they are not provided for pets as they ride FREE, so pick up a lifejacket for your pet before you arrive.
Wanting more excitement on your trip down Little River? Beginning at Tubing Outpost B, take on the Adventure Float with your bestie, featuring exhilarating rapids galore!
Main Tubing Outpost A
205 Wears Valley Rd
Townsend, TN
Tubing Outpost B
8435 State Highway 73
Townsend, TN
Individual Pricing
$15 | Adults 13+
$12 | Youth 6-12
FREE | Children 2-5
Group Rates
$11 | 10-19 People
$10 | 20-29 People
$9 | 30-39 People
$8 | 40+ People
River Rat Rafting
Looking for an even greater downriver adventure? Opt for whitewater rapids along Pigeon River instead at the River Rat Whitewater Outpost in nearby Hartford, around 27 miles from the heart of Gatlinburg. Choose from 4 rafting adventures as you set off with family and friends for an adrenaline-pumping journey together!
Take the whole family (ages 3+) on Lower Pigeon River Rafting, boasting a relatively bumpy ride with relaxed rapids safer for young adventurers. For those (ages 8+) seeking class III to IV rapids, reserve Upper Pigeon Whitewater Rafting or the Extreme Upper Pigeon Adventure (a smaller boat creates extra thrills) for a wild 5-mile journey downstream with views of the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. Can’t decide which rafting trip to take? Try both with the Daycation Rafting Adventure, featuring an action-packed combo along the Upper and Lower Pigeon River with a refueling lunch break in between.
Pricing depends on how many people adventure together and the time of departure, so be sure to scout the best ride for your budget! We highly recommend the value rates (Lower Pigeon River at 4:00 p.m. & Upper Pigeon River at 5:00 p.m.) as they are more reasonably priced at around $14 for children and $28 for adults.
River Rat Whitewater Outpost
3630 Hartford Road
Hartford, TN 37753
Kayaking & Fishing Adventures!
Love the idea of whitewater rafting but wish you could experience the freedom of paddling in tandem with the rushing water all on your own? Then the Thrillcat Kayak Adventure may be just the ride for you! Follow a professional guide down the Lower Pigeon River to take on the fast-flowing current in your very own kayak at only $32.95. To be sure of physical strength to withstand the trip, only ages 15+ may join the journey.
Too excited to sleep in? Reserve the 8:00 a.m. Fishing Adventure and begin your day with a lesson on selecting the best gear, casting lines properly, and reading river patterns. Then travel along Pigeon River with your personal guide to find the catch of the day in secret spots, featuring fish-filled pools and hidden undercuts. In order to participate in this 3-hour excursion, a fishing license is required as well as a $150 fee.
Both the kayaking and fishing adventures begin at the River Rat Whitewater Outpost, same as the rafting adventures, so you can experience multiple daredevil feats from a single location!
Pool Time!
Too nervous to take on untamed waters? Book a Smoky Mountain cabin with a private indoor pool instead — keeping sunburn and wildlife at bay for YOU! Should you crave something a touch more eccentric, stay at a cabin with special pool features, such as underwater lighting, soothing waterfalls, log bridges, and cool islands.
Sunbathing is also possible alongside outdoor community pools featured at many cabin resorts in both Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Get your tan on, splash with the kids, teach your youngest to doggie paddle, and float around to your heart’s content!
Be it tubing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, or swimming — nothing but cool times await in the Smokies!