White Water Rafting

Hot Springs offers whitewater rafting suitable for a family adventure or for the true adrenaline seeker!

Rafting guiding companies often offer either a half-day trip or a full-day trip, with all gear included. We love the full-day trips, as we get to dine on a remote sandy river island for lunch and swim around a bit! If you want to try something a bit different than rafting, it's worth looking in to surfing down the river in an inflatable kayak "Ducky." It's fun to navigate your own vessel while still remaining close to your larger group! We have heard from families that their teenagers especially enjoy this option.

There are numerous guiding companies to choose from. Most offer the same general trips, but at slightly different rates. Below we have listed three area companies that we feel are reputable and have either heard or personally experienced good things from.

whitewater rafting - guiding company recommendations

Blue Heron Whitewater

Highly recommended! We have come to know the owners and some of the staff of this company personally and we always choose Blue Heron Whitewater when we take a rafting trip with friends and family. They are located 20 minutes from Little Bird Cabins.

Hot Springs Rafting Company

Conveniently located about one minute (yes, really!) from Little Bird Cabins, Hot Springs Rafting Company is a family-owned guiding company. Also worth noting is that you can rent rafts and tubes from them to take on your own adventures!

Nantahala Outdoor Center- French Broad River outpost

Located 17 minutes from Little Bird Cabins, NOC offers guided rafting trips as well as zip lining! NOC is a larger company with multiple locations in various states.