Raft Outdoor Adventures

Group Rafting

2012-01-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

Motorcycle Police Officers from Around the Country

Organizing groups of people can be a daunting task to say the least. It becomes especially difficult when there are a wide range of ages within a group. Rafting is the one activity everyone in your group can participate in and have a great time! Whether you have a family gathering, church group, school group, or corporate group looking for team building exercises, Outdoor Adventures is the perfect place to come, relax, and be assured everyone will have a fun and unforgettable experience!

For groups with small children, grandparents, and those just not ready for the high adventure whitewater, we offer a Lower Section float trip. Anyone 3 years old and up can enjoy this scenic trip through the lower, much more tame, section of the Pigeon River Gorge. You may also split your group so that some go on the Lower Section and those 8 years old and up looking for adventure go on the Upper Section of the Pigeon River. Trips on the Upper and Lower Sections leave from the Outpost at the same time for your convenience.

Outdoor Adventures also offers great group discounts so you won’t have to blow your budget! We will apply a $10.00 OFF discount to groups of 15 or more in addition to other group discounts being offered at the time of booking. And, for all that you have done to make sure everyone has a good time, Outdoor Adventures will take the group coordinator for FREE!

Give us a call and reserve your group's trip today!

866-333-RAFT (7238)

We can’t wait to see you on the river!

From our group to yours!

Outdoor Adventures Holiday Greetings

2011-12-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from all of us here at Outdoor Adventures!

We hope your holidays are filled with love, laughter, friends, food, and GOOD TIMES! Be safe out there...we want to see everybody's bright and shining faces next season!

Fall Float Trips Now Available

2011-09-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

Pigeon River in the Fall

Fall is one of the most beautiful times in the Smoky Mountains. Many people travel to the Smokies each year to see the amazing borage of colorful foliage from September to November. The diversity of trees in the park and surrounding areas makes Fall in the Smokies a spectacular event. With over 100 species of native trees such as sugar maples, sweetgum, red maple, scarlet oak, and hickory, Fall in the Smokies is a must see! One of the best ways to experience this is by taking a float trip through the scenic Pigeon River Gorge. Outdoor Adventures, Inc. offers float trips through the end of November and is the ONLY rafting company on the river to offer full wetsuits for the chillier days. During this time of year, water levels vary. Some trips may have lower water with class II and III rapids and other trips may have big water with class III and IV rapids. No matter what the water level may be, come expecting to have and good time and beautiful ride! Also, enjoy making lasting memories with our highly trained guides as they help you navigate your way through the gorge and provide you with some great cultural and historical facts about this unique region of Appalachia.

Mouse Creek Falls

Make a day of it! After your float trip, grab some lunch at the Bean Trees Café and take a scenic hike in the Big Creek section of the national park, located just 15 minutes from our outpost in Hartford, TN. There are some great scenic spots along this trail including Mouse Creek Falls and Midnight Hole. Spending the day in and around Hartford is a great way to escape the crowds in downtown Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Book your trip with us now!

Summer is Almost Over!!!

2011-08-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe August is already here. It will soon be time to head back to school and start the daily schedules and routines. Before getting back into the day to day grind, take advantage of these last few weeks of summer and have some fun with a whitewater rafting trip at Outdoor Adventures! It's the perfect way to have some cool, wet fun before the homework, practices, deadlines, etc. start back again. Don’t let this summer slip away without having an exciting adventure!

We offer Upper Section Whitewater Trips...

And Lower Section Float Trips...

WE LOVE TO HAVE FUN!!!

Book your trip on-line now and save $10.00 per person!

Beat the Heat

2011-07-04T17:03:00.000-07:00

There is no better way to beat the heat of summer than by getting outside and enjoying the fun and excitement of a whitewater rafting trip down the Big Pigeon River! The 4^th of July is here and with it comes scorching temperatures! So, get cooled off by taking a rafting trip with us at Outdoor Adventures! It is a fun, adventurous, and wet way to enjoy the outdoors and beauty of the Smoky Mountains without being tortured by the summer heat.

The Upper Section of the Big Pigeon River is great for kids and adults ages 8 and up OR 70lbs and up! Book your Upper Section rafting trip now as space is limited and times fill up quickly in the summer months!

The Lower Section of the Pigeon River is the way to go for families or groups with small children (ages 3 and up). This section is also great for those out there who want to relax and enjoy a quiet float through beautiful scenery. Book your Lower section trip now as space is limited!

Awesome time at Charity Doggie Rafting event

2011-06-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic time yesterday taking all of the charity doggie rafting participants as well as their furry friends down the Pigeon River yesterday. Dogs of all sizes from a few pounds to 100 pounds took to the Lower Pigeon River for Outdoor Adventure's First Annual Charitty Doggie Rafting. Thanks to all who participated and helped to raise over $1,000 for the Newport Animal Shelter.

Raffle results:

Grand Prize Winner of Crippens Country Inn 2 night accommodations:Tony Manion
4 rafting tickets to Outdoor Adventures: M. Bartsch
2 rafting tickets to Outdoor Adventures: M. Coates
2: rafting tickets to Outdoor Advenutres: A Pfab
Doggie Life Jacket: M Coates
1 year family membership to IJams Nature Center: C. Carrion
Painting by local artist Raven: T Manion
$25 gift certificate to Paws and Claws: D Horenzy
$25 gift certificate to "The Dog Bar": A Pfab
$15 gift certificate to "Barks and Recreation": M Bartsch

Thanks again for everyone's participation and making this a fun, exciting, and beneficial event!!

Raft/Zip Combo this Summer

2011-05-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Looking for a fun, adventurous, and budget friendly vacation in the Smoky Mountains this summer? Outdoor Adventures' new Raft/Zip packages are perfect for families and friends looking for a thrilling outdoor experience never to be forgotten! Outdoor Adventures and Gatlinburg Ziplines have created a package deal that will fit in your budget and provide your family or group with quality outdoor experiences of a lifetime! Go from ziplining high amongst the trees and beautiful mountain views to whitewater rafting through the stunning Pigeon River Gorge where wildlife and scenery are unsurpassed. All of this for the greatly discounted rate of $85.00 per person plus tax! You can see the best of the Smoky Mountains and have a blast while your at it!

GIVE US A CALL TO BOOK YOUR RAFT/ZIP PACKAGE TODAY!

866-333-RAFT (7238)

Charity Doggie Rafting June 4th, 2011

2011-05-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Adventures is proud to host the first annual Charity Doggie Rafting Event on Saturday June 4th, 2011! That's right, you can take your best canine companion down the Lower Section of the Pigeon River! The Lower Section is the calm section of the river with small Class I and II rapids. Humans and their dogs will be accompanied by a professional guide through a one hour ride down this section. There will be lots of spots to float and relax, and, for your more adventurous dogs, places to get out and swim.

The cost for the event is $25.00 for adults and $20.00 for kids and canines. There is a maximum of two dogs and three humans per raft.

In addition to rafting, we will be having a raffle with gift certificates from local businesses, doggie adoptions, doggie photos, and more! Oh, and don't forget the party after the event hosted by Hartford's own Bean Trees Cafe!

All of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Newport Animal Shelter. So, you can have fun in the outdoors with your doggie AND be doing something good for the community! Make your reservation today for this event! If you cannot make it to the event, but would still like to donate, simply visit our Charity Doggie Rafting Webpage and click the donate button.

See you on the river soon!

Easter Break + Rafting = FUN TIMES FOR ALL

2011-04-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Spring is in full swing here on the Pigeon River! The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and the rapids are great! Easter Break is the perfect time to plan a Smoky Mountain vacation with family and friends. Come out and enjoy the beauty of the mountains in their spring glory while rafting down the beautiful Pigeon River. Rafting is the perfect activity for everyone! We can take children as young as 3 years old on the lower section and kids as young as 8 years old OR kids at least 70 lbs on the upper section. Click HERE to book on-line and save $10!

If you are looking to stay in the area, check out our Area Links page!

Scroll down to take a look at some pictures taken over the past week...

2011-03-05T11:08:00.001-08:00

"It is pleasant to have been to a place the way a river went." ~Henry David Thoreau

Rafting Season Is HERE

2011-02-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our first trips of the season! The sun is shining, the temperature is perfect, and our guests (and guides) are having a blast! If you would like to book a Spring trip, click here or give us a call 866-333-RAFT (7238)! Also, check us out on our website!

We are also excited about our beautiful new restroom and changing room facilities!

We hope to see you on the river soon!

President's Day Weekend Rafting

2011-02-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

President's Day weekend is coming up and what great timing! Here, at the Outdoor Adventures Outpost, the weather has been spectacular! The blue skies and warm temperatures really makes it feel like Spring! This would be the PERFECT time to come and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors with an Outdoor Adventures' rafting trip! Book your trip on-line today! Or, give us a call (866) 333-RAFT(7238). We look forward to seeing you at the river!

A Great Place to Stay

2011-02-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

There are many great places to stay around the Smoky Mountains! Go to our website and check them out on our Area Links page!

One of our favorites is Eden Crest...

Eden Crest Vacation Rentals is a full service vacation rental company that has provided luxury Pigeon Forge cabins and Gatlinburg cabin rentals to visitors of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee since 2004. Eden Crest’s cabins are located within just a few miles of the attractions. These spacious rental cabins include the finest amenities; including in-cabin pools, fully equipped kitchens, hot tubs, bedside Jacuzzis and fireplaces, saunas, game rooms with pool tables, home theaters, free long distance calling, free internet access and magnificent mountain views.

Winter in Hartford

2011-01-11T10:43:00.000-08:00

Winter in Hartford, though slow and quiet, is quite beautiful. Here are some pics of a typical Hartford, TN snow...

The River

Road to the Outpost

The Parking Lot

The Outpost

My Review of 303 Aerospace Protectant

2011-01-11T08:06:00.001-08:00

Originally submitted at NRS

The most powerful UV screening protection ever made. Use it on everything from boats to apparel. 303 Aerospace Protectant is - "SPF 40 For Your Stuff!" Helpful in prolonging the lifetime of your raft. Don't forget to use this on your paddling apparel that have latex gaskets.
<...

Great for Rafts

By River Runner from Hartford, TN on 1/11/2011

Pros: Conditions Rafts

We use 303 to maintain and condition our rafts. Also works good to dip PFD's to keep looking new and avoid fading.

(legalese)

New Changing Rooms Almost Finished!

2010-11-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to touch base here and let everyone know that Outdoor Adventures, Inc. is getting very close to finishing the new changing room facilities! We have been working very hard on the new building and think that it will be a great improvement from the previous building. Not only will there be five new changing rooms, but also more restrooms, showers, and sinks. This means more room to change, shorter lines to use the restrooms, and an even greater experience for our returning guests!

Check out the new changing rooms on Flickr!

Around the Outpost

2010-11-10T11:39:00.000-08:00

A lot of times, people who live in amazingly beautiful areas such as the Great Smoky Mountains start to take the beauty for granted after a while. Then, every now and again, a beautiful scenery catches the eye while driving to work. Outdoor Adventures is so lucky to be located in such a beautiful area. Tucked right into the mountains, resting along the Big Pigeon River, and easily accessible, Outdoor Adventures is not only FUN, but also a BEAUTIFUL place to visit!

Here are a few photos of the outpost in Hartford, TN...

(These photos were taken in late fall, so keep in mind summer has a lot more green!)

Our Guides Never Quit!

2010-11-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

You know you love what you do for a living when your not "on the clock", but doing exactly what you would do if you were. That's how rafting is for a lot of us out here on the Pigeon River. When our guides aren't working, they're out running other rivers gaining valuable experience and skills that help them on their home river.

Tomorrow is the last Cheoah River release of the year and all the guides who are still around are making the trek to Robbinsville, NC to run the class V river! Even though the weather report says 30 degrees and snowing, we are all totally up for the experience! To all Cheoah paddlers...have FUN and be SAFE!

A couple of our guides going down the Cheoah made a record for the first raft to successfully run the middle line of Bear Creek Falls! Yay! Go Brooke and Creech!

Just a little glimpse into the excitement!

2010-10-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

It's Fall in Tennessee!

2010-10-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not Fall is one of the best times to come and enjoy the Pigeon River in East Tennessee. Though the water levels can be pretty unpredictable this time of year, the beauty of the changing leaves, the crisp clearness of the air, and the personalized trips on the river are perfect for anyone visiting the area. Feel free to give us a call at 1(866) 333-7238 or check us out online at www.RaftOutdoorAdventures.com. Hope to see you at the river soon!