27-05-2025
With Hartford whitewater rafting back after Helene, we went downriver our first time ever
While Hartford rafting businesses worried Hurricane Helene flood damage would wipe out their entire tourism season, most were ready to welcome back visitors to the Pigeon River at the start of the season − albeit with rocks shifted, channels widened and the river flowing past ongoing interstate repairs.
"Water is a powerful force, and rivers are constantly changing," said Olwen Claiborne, marketing director for Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting. "What we're seeing is the massive quantities of stone that were moved around and the carving out of new channels, but the rapids are still there. ... In some cases, I think that they're splashier and more fun.'
Smoky Mountain Outdoors, along with other rafting businesses like Nantahala Outdoor Center Pigeon Outpost, is based in the tourist-driven rafting community of Hartford. When Helene's floodwaters rushed through East Tennessee in September, the businesses were left in ruins and with the river forever changed.
The waters are now safe to raft on with a temporary launch site, though a few businesses remain closed for the season as roads in the area are repaired. That includes Ober Mountain's rafting location, along with Rip Roaring Adventures and Rafting in the Smokies.
'There are places that still have not recovered enough, and they want to see more progress," Claiborne said.
Business owners weren't sure whether reopening would ever be possible. But the community came together to help shovel mud from their buildings, rebuild and advocate for Hartford in front of elected representatives in Nashville and Cocke County.
The rafting businesses collaborate and meet as the Pigeon River Outfitters Association, an instrumental force in pushing for more government help after Helene, said Nantahala Outdoor Center River Outpost Manager John Ortt.
'We are in a better place now mentally than we've been in some time now, several months now,' Ortt said.
Interstate construction is one of the main concerns, as the businesses bus tourists upstream where they place their rafts in the water. Without the interstate, the businesses can't operate.
The Tennessee and North Carolina departments of transportation have installed a temporary drop-in area for rafts in the meantime. It's smaller than what the businesses normally use, but it's what will allow them to operate in the meantime before they return to the original location next season.
One of the few bright sides of the flooding is how the rushing waters washed away muck. The county helped clear leftover debris in the water.
'We're pretty spotless from put in all the way to take out, and even beyond into Newport," Ortt said. "So, that was a big win that we were able to get a lot of debris removed very quickly before the season opens.'
Knox News had the opportunity to take a ride with the reopened rafting businesses.
Keenan Thomas, reporter: Although I appear rugged on the surface, I don't love thrill-seeking experiences, whether that's roller coasters, carnival rides or bungee jumping. I try to avoid those types of activities as much as possible, so to say I was worried about whitewater rafting would be an understatement.
As the feeling of nervousness washed over me, I mentally prepared as best as I could with help from our river guide, who shared how to sit, paddle and secure myself in the raft. With a Go-Pro camera in tow and my glasses on a strap, we kicked off our raft from the drop-in point to join the fleet, going under a bridge and onto the surprisingly not-so-cold Pigeon River.
The guide shouted instructions − how many times to paddle and what rapids to anticipate − and shared fun facts about the river and how the flooding has changed it. She pointed out "the pyramid," a massive rock that guides once sat on to watch rafters go down a specific rapid. That's no longer possible since the flood moved the rock downriver.
Each rapid proved unique, with a couple fully splashing the five of us and a few making our stomachs float as we suddenly dropped down. We navigated away from fallen trees, massive rocks and other rafts as we paddled past the interstate.
It was a surreal experience to travel down a sprawling, winding river with gorgeous natural views while passing by a massive construction site as workers waved, honked and laughed as we floated by.
I had seen pictures and videos of I-40 crumbling into the river below. But to see the construction up close and personal − and how much still needs to be done over the next few years − put the scale of devastation in a new and daunting perspective. It reminded me of the pain Helene caused, while also showing how humans can bounce back by collaborating and coming together.
We ended our journey at Smoky Mountain Outdoors. While elated to be back on land, I have to admit: This was a fun experience. Thanks to our guide, I never felt my ingrained fear of being flung into the roaring river beneath us. Instead, I felt good supporting an industry the community relies on to thrive and survive.
'In my 43 years, I've never dealt with anything like this, and we've been through the fires of Gatlinburg, rockslides, droughts, pandemics. I mean, you name it," Smoky Mountain Outdoors owner Daniel Jennette told me. "My banker said we're one of the safest investments they've got, because we've survived every natural disaster Mother Nature's thrown at us.'
Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting: 3299 Hartford Road |
Nantahala Outdoor Center Pigeon Outpost: 3485 Hartford Road |
Big Bear White Water Rafting: 3165 Big Creek Road Book |
Big Creek Expeditions: 3541 Hartford Road |
Raft Outdoor Adventures: 3635 Trail Hollow Road |
Rapid Expeditions: 3605 Hartford Road |
Smoky Mountain River Rat: 3630 Hartford Road |
Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee rafting open in Hartford after Helene floods Pigeon River
