Nolichucky River, Tennessee/North Carolina
| Price |
 What's this? |
| Class of Rapids |
II-IV+ |
| Trip Miles |
5 to 10 miles |
| Trip Duration |
1 to 2 days |
| Season |
March-June (low-water, family-friendly runs also available June-November) |
| Raft Type |
Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayak |
| River Sections |
Poplar, NC, to Erwin, TN |
| Nearby Towns |
Erwin (TN) |
| Driving Times |
Asheville (NC): 1.5 hours; Knoxville (TN): 1.5 hours |
| Recommended For |
Tubing & Duckies |
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The Upper Nolichucky is one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in the Southeast.
(courtesy, Cherokee Adventures)
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Many superlatives have been used to described the scenery in the Nolichucky Gorge. Most paddlers will be too busy trying to negotiate the many difficult and powerful rapids to notice the scenery. Make no mistake about it, the Nolichucky is a challenging river—but it is also a great piece of whitewater. Paddlers who enjoy an exciting whitewater adventure might want to schedule a trip with one of the outfitters that runs the river. This option provides the best of both worlds—the thrill of the ride with the opportunity to enjoy the view. Experienced paddlers can test their skill level by trying to run the river themselves. Although most of the 110-mile length of the Nolichucky can be paddled, the 30-mile section from Poplar, NC, to Embreeville, TN, is the prime section. This section can be broken into three smaller runs depending on your skills and time available. The run from Poplar to the railroad bridge near Erwin is nine miles of Class III-IV whitewater. From the railroad bridge to Highway 81 you can enjoy ten miles of Class I-II water. Another ten-mile run from Riverview to Embreeville is a nice Class II paddle. The milder water of the lower sections is good canoeing water. Erwin is about 15 miles south of Johnson City, TN, on Highway 19 or Highway 19/23 north out of Asheville, North Carolina.
Tour Operator Trips on the Nolichucky River, Tennessee/North Carolina
* Trip price reflects the average cost per day for a guided rafting adventure on a given river (
= $50-$100/day;
= $100-$250/day;
= $250 or more/day) and accounts for half-day, full-day, or multiday rafting excursions. Lodging, dining, and transportation costs (airfare, car rental/shuttle, equipment rentals, etc.) have not been factored into account. Please note that the trip price classification is intended to be an approximate guideline, as the range of prices on a given river can vary based on amenities, services, and customized add-ons offered through individual outfitters.
