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Whitewater rafting in the Great Smoky Mountain area is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Smoky Mountains while having a great adventure. So today I want to tell you about a great whitewater rafting opportunity offered by Big Bear Rafting. You can even enjoy one of their rafting trips at a discount price.
Your rafting adventure with Big Bear Rafting will be guided by trained experts. No experience is necessary to enjoy these rafting trips. There are milder and wilder options.
You can take either an Upper Pigeon Rafting Trip or a Lower Pigeon Rafting Trip.
Upper Pigeon Rafting Trip
This is the wilder version of the whitewater rafting trip.
- 5 miles of Class III & IV rapids
- 2-hour trip
- Fully guided
- Minimum age of 8 years
- Minimum weight of 70 pounds
Lower Pigeon Rafting Trip
This is more of a scenic float trip and is much calmer.
- 5.5 miles of Class I & II rapids
- 2.5-hour trip
- Fully guided
- Minimum age of 3 years old
Your rafting trip departs from Hartford, Tennessee, which makes it convenient if you’re staying in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, as it is less than an hour away.
Big Bear Rafting is locally owned and operated and is known for its great customer service. Being local, too, gives you an authentic East Tennessee experience.
Big Bear Rafting will be open for the 2026 season in just a few days (on April 28th). If you would like to enjoy a rafting trip this season, keep reading to find out how to save money on admission.
Promo Code
You can purchase a discounted ticket here. You’ll save up to 28%, and no promo code or coupon code is needed. Both Upper Pigeon Rafting Trips and Lower Pigeon Rafting Trips are available. You can purchase it for four or six people, which is great if you are traveling with family or friends. Please note that this discount voucher cannot be used on federal holidays.