Watauga River Rafting in Elizabethton Tennessee

Bring along the whole family for this exciting river adventure!
Duration

Approximate River time: **3 hours** the longest trip on the river, our competition gets out at our half way point.
About

- Difficulty: Class II & III
– Distance: 10KM/6+miles
– Number of Rapids: 18+

Bring along the whole family for this exciting river adventure! Watauga, the Cherokee phrase for ‘sparkling water’ describes this crystal clear, immaculate waters perfectly. As you cruise down river through plentiful class two and three rapids, you will embrace the beautiful surroundings of the Cherokee National Forest and surrounding east Tennessee farmland. Featured as our beginner-rafting trip, the Watauga is appropriate for all ages and skill levels. Please note that on Sundays we do a shorter trip with less rapids on The Trophy Section of the Watauga River rather than Section 5 due to the dam not being released on Sundays.
Upon Arrival

- When you arrive at our convenient, riverside outpost in Elizabethton Tennessee, you will be personally fitted with top of the line gear. Then, you and your friends and family will load up into a River and Earth Adventures van where our knowledgeable, expert guides will give you a brief scenic tour of the area until we reach our put-in destination.

- With all your gear, you’ll be ready to undertake the misty, unforgettable beauty of the Watauga. After a thorough and entertaining safety talk by our expert guides, you will hop into your rafts just under the notorious Wilber Dam. After an introductory float trip, you will have the opportunity to jump off a twenty-foot cliff into the brisk waters beneath—a great way to wake you up for the adventure to come! Take pictures or your friends will never believe this invigorating leap of faith.

- After maneuvering through several class one and two rapids you will be prepared for the infamous Anaconda rapid. This class three rapid has become the iconic image for southeastern whitewater. The cascading boulders and hidden holes make this stretch of river an exhilarating adventure for the whole family.

- The remainder of your rafting journey will wind through a plethora of smaller rapids and skinny side waters. As you bump and rumble through these rapids it will be impossible to miss the beautiful scenery with plenty of colorful birds and other wildlife. Through the final section of river there are many possibilities to take a quick dip in the river or explore a nearby bank. Your adventure wraps up directly behind our outpost where we provide changing stations.

Booking Notes

WATAUGA RIVER RAFTING TRIP MEETING IN ELIZABETHTON, TN

Thank you for booking your rafting trip with River and Earth Adventures, Inc! You will be meeting at our Elizabethton, TN outpost. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your trip start time! You will need to bring clothing to wear on the river such as a quick-drying t-shirt, shorts/boardshorts, and shoes that will stay on your feet (Teva and Chaco sandals or basic water shoes are both great options.). You will also need sunscreen, a dry change of clothes for the end of the trip, a plastic bag for your wet clothes, and a towel. The outpost in Elizabethton, TN has changing stations for your convenience and a porta-john.

We sell water shoes, t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, and more at our central office located in Boone, NC. Please call ahead for availability. Feel free to bring glass-free beverages and snacks for your day on the water!

Cell phone service can be spotty in the western NC mountains! You may not have service at times while driving to your destination – please plan accordingly.

We accept tips for our hardworking guides via cash or Venmo and over the phone. The industry standard for outdoor adventure guides and coordinators is similar to other service industries — 18-20% of your total trip cost is greatly appreciated by our staff who work hard to ensure you have an incredible experience with us!

ELIZABETHTON, TN OUTPOST:

187 Patterson Lane
Elizabethton, TN 37643

DIRECTIONS FROM BOONE, NC:

Head west on NC-105 S towards Banner Elk, NC

Turn right onto NC-184 N

Turn left onto Main St. W

Slight left onto NC-194 S/Main St. W

Turn right onto US-19E N

Use the left two lanes to turn left onto Broad St.

Turn right onto N Lynn Ave./U.S. 19E Scn.

Turn left onto Watauga Rd./TN-400 S at Sunshine Market; go about 0.5 miles.

Turn left onto Patterson Lane directly across from Pleasant Beach Baptist Church

*River & Earth Adventures is on the left down by the river. There is a gate with a River and Earth Adventures sign on it. Drive through the gate and park on the left. Check in with the guides who will get you outfitted with PFDs and store your keys before you hop on the REA van for a short 15-minute ride up the river to the put-in at Wilbur Dam. If you raft with us on a Sunday, we raft the Trophy Section of the Watauga River. On Sundays, we put in either at our outpost in Elizabethton or a short drive down the river from our outpost based on water levels.

MAPS LINK:

www.raftcavehike.com/locations

LINK TO WAIVER:

www.raftcavehike.com/wp-content/uploads/rea_release_form.pdf

*Print and bring your signed waiver with you on your trip or fill one out on site before your adventure begins.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give us a call at 1-866-411-RAFT!

See you on the river!

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Check out some amazing footage from our trips on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shfQxceWCVc

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Vouchers can be redeemed starting June 1 through September 30. Reservations are required and subject to availability. Vouchers are limited to one trip per voucher, per guest, based on availability. A 14-day cancellation policy applies. Any trips cancelled within the two-week window will not be refunded. A trip credit can be applied to a future trip during the same year if you notify River and Earth Adventures, Inc. of your cancellation more than 48 hours in advance of your trip’s scheduled departure time. All guests must sign a waiver on the day of the trip before any activities begin. Guests arriving more than 30 minutes late to their scheduled meet time may be asked to reschedule their adventure for a different date. Please plan accordingly to ensure that you will arrive at the meeting location mentioned above at the correct time. This deal cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts and must be used in one visit. For trips on the French Broad River, guests must weigh less than 400 pounds. For any other questions or concerns, call River and Earth Adventures at 1-866-411-7238.