North Carolina whitewater - Oconaluftee River, Great Smoky Mountains, Swain County Swain county, Quiet Walkway to Smokemont section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III     4 miles   The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state are often easier than in other states, so better not forget that many runs in this state are very easy. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Sevierville, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. This stretch of Oconaluftee River in Swain County is 4 miles long and it is classified as a class III section by American Whitewater. This is a pretty decent length section, it's perfect for a one day trip. This is one of a small number of paddling stretches     in this river system, there are a few others too. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. The river winds through the Great Smoky Mountains and you get great scenery. The scenic beauty of North Carolina and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream have people coming here. Lodging is available near the river, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. Getting a good workout and just being out on the river for a while are great reasons to come. Briefly about the general area: Summer brings highs in the 80's to Oconaluftee River. When the night sets in temperatures sink down into the 60's. All through the wintertime highs are typically in the 40's; all   through the dark hours in the wintertime at Oconaluftee River temperatures dip to the 20's. The high level of rain makes Oconaluftee River a quite wet location; the wettest month of the year is frequently March, that's the one that rains the most, and October is the month with the least moisture. Oconaluftee River, Quiet Walkway to Smokemont road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: III Length: 4 miles Average Gradient: 100 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 35.58789 Longitude: -83.36261 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 35.5545 Longitude: -83.31141 Paddler input for Oconaluftee River, North Carolina: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Oconaluftee River, Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina Local climate location: SEVIERVILLE 2 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Microtel Inn and Suites Cherokee, Cherokee 3 miles away This Microtel Inn and Suites is close to downtown Cherokee, 0.5 mile to Harrahs Cherokee Casino and less than 2 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Microtel Inn... Hawthorn Suites Louisville-East, Louisville 3 miles away This Hawthorn Suites is great for a weekend getaway and is the perfect extended stay hotel in Louisvilles East End. We are located behind Mall St Matthews and Oxmoor Mall and a short drive to the Loui... Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee 5 miles away Stay at this Cherokee, North Carolina hotel just one mile from Smoky Mountain National Park. The Best Western Great Smokies Inn is a unique log cabin style hotel that is conveniently located with ea...   Great Smoky Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Great Smoky Mountains. Great Smoky Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Great Smoky Mountains. All North Carolina Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in North Carolina. Books about whitewater paddling on Oconaluftee River, North Carolina List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Oconaluftee River, North Carolina. Find a whitewater outfitter in North Carolina Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Sevierville, Tennessee Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Sevierville, Tennessee, the metro area neareast to Oconaluftee River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Oconaluftee River.   Whitewater Near Oconaluftee River: Oconaluftee River, Swain County , 3 miles away, Class II-III - 11.5 miles long (Smokemont Campground to Birdtown) Raven Fork, Swain County , 5 miles away, Class II-III+(IV) - 8 miles long (Job Corps Bridge to Confluence with Oconalufftee) Raven Fork, Swain County , 6 miles away, Class V+ - 4 miles long (Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 7 miles away, Class V - 1.4 miles long (Ramsey Prong/ Eagle Rocks Prong confluence to Bridge at Trailhead) Straight Fork, Swain County , 8 miles away, Class III-IV - 4.6 miles long (Round Bottom to Raven Fork) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 8 miles away, Class IV+ - 1.5 miles long (Ramsey's Cascade trailhead to Porters Creek confluence) Deep Creek, Swain County , 9 miles away, Class II - 3 miles long (Bryson City) Upper Road Prong, Sevier County , 9 miles away, Class V+ - 1.09 miles long (Green Light Falls to Third Bridge) Tuckasegee River, Jackson/Swain County , 9 miles away, Class I-III - 8 miles long (Whittier to Bryson City) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 10 miles away, Class III-IV - 2.7 miles long (Picnic Grounds at Greenbrier Ranger Station to Highway 73)   Ski Areas Near Oconaluftee River: Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 17 miles away, 600 vertical feet Cataloochee, North Carolina , 17 miles away, 740 vertical feet Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 32 miles away, 225 vertical feet Sky Valley, Georgia , 33 miles away, 210 vertical feet Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 61 miles away, 700 vertical feet Ski Beech, North Carolina , 107 miles away, 830 vertical feet Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 107 miles away, 1200 vertical feet Hawksnest, North Carolina , 109 miles away, 619 vertical feet Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 121 miles away, 365 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 191 miles away, 603 vertical feet   Hotels Near Oconaluftee River: Microtel Inn and Suites Cherokee, Cherokee , 3 miles away Hawthorn Suites Louisville-East, Louisville , 3 miles away Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee , 5 miles away Baymont Inn Cherokee/Smoky Mountains, Cherokee , 5 miles away Comfort Inn Cherokee, Cherokee , 5 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Oconaluftee River: River Valley RV Park and Campground, Cherokee, 4 miles away Yogi In The Smokies, Cherokee, 4 miles away Flaming Arrow Campground, Cherokee, 4 miles away   Trails Near Oconaluftee River: Messer Trail, Cocke County , 13 miles away Lower Whiterock Trail, Cocke County , 15 miles away Sugarland Mountain Trail, Sevier County , 15 miles away Palmer Creek Trail, Haywood County , 15 miles away Caldwell Fork Trail, Haywood County , 16 miles away   National Parks Near Oconaluftee River: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg - TN , 14 miles away Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 54 miles away