North Carolina whitewater - Oconaluftee River, Great Smoky Mountains, Swain County Swain county, Smokemont Campground to Birdtown section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II-III     11.5 miles   The Smokemont Campground to Birdtown stretch of Oconaluftee River in Swain County is 11.5 miles long and is a class II-III section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Sevierville, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in North Carolina are often easier than in other states, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that a lot of the rivers here are suitable for beginners. If you hurry you can run this section in a day     but why not make it an overnighter, so why not pack your camping stuff too. The beautiful scenery of Swain County and the playfulness of the water will make you feel great. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. Whitewater paddling here in the Great Smoky Mountains is a great experience. If you're a camper you can camp at one of the great campgrounds nearby. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just hanging out with mother nature have people coming from far and near. There are a few other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. There are plenty of hotels here if you want to spend a night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. Briefly about the general area: While   staying at Oconaluftee River you could always discover Whiteoak Flats. At Oconaluftee River during the summer highs are in the 80's with night lows in the 60's. The cold days of the winter come with highs in the 40's; nighttime lows in the 20's for Oconaluftee River. Oconaluftee River is a wet site that gets a large amount of rain; most of the rain falls during March; October on the other hand is the driest. Oconaluftee River, Smokemont Campground to Birdtown road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: II-III Length: 11.5 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 35.55329 Longitude: -83.3091 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 35.4686 Longitude: -83.35221 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 0 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee 2 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... Baymont Inn Cherokee/Smoky Mountains, Cherokee 2 miles away Come and experience fine southern hospitality at Baymont Inn & Suites-Cherokee! Our friendly staff lays out a delicious Continental Breakfast every morning. Our rooms are clean and comfy and come ... Ramada Limited Cherokee, Cherokee 2 miles away The Ramada Limited in Cherokee is the proud recipients of Ramada Franchise awards including the Gold Key. The Cherokee Ramada Limited is a beautiful, hotel located in the heart of Western Carolina Sm...   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 III - 4 miles long (Quiet Walkway to Smokemont) Raven Fork, Swain County , 4 miles away, Class II-III+(IV) - 8 miles long (Job Corps Bridge to Confluence with Oconalufftee) Tuckasegee River, Jackson/Swain County , 7 miles away, Class I-III - 8 miles long (Whittier to Bryson City) Raven Fork, Swain County , 7 miles away, Class V+ - 4 miles long (Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork) Deep Creek, Swain County , 7 miles away, Class II - 3 miles long (Bryson City) Tuckasegee River, Jackson County , 8 miles away, Class II(III) - 5 miles long (Dillsboro to Route 1392) Straight Fork, Swain County , 8 miles away, Class III-IV - 4.6 miles long (Round Bottom to Raven Fork) Upper Road Prong, Sevier County , 11 miles away, Class V+ - 1.09 miles long (Green Light Falls to Third Bridge) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 11 miles away, Class V - 1.4 miles long (Ramsey Prong/ Eagle Rocks Prong confluence to Bridge at Trailhead) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 12 miles away, Class IV+ - 1.5 miles long (Ramsey's Cascade trailhead to Porters Creek confluence)   Ski Areas Near Oconaluftee River: Cataloochee, North Carolina , 17 miles away, 740 vertical feet Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 19 miles away, 600 vertical feet Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 28 miles away, 225 vertical feet Sky Valley, Georgia , 30 miles away, 210 vertical feet Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 62 miles away, 700 vertical feet Ski Beech, North Carolina , 107 miles away, 830 vertical feet Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 108 miles away, 1200 vertical feet Hawksnest, North Carolina , 110 miles away, 619 vertical feet Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 121 miles away, 365 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 193 miles away, 603 vertical feet   Hotels Near Oconaluftee River: Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee , 2 miles away Baymont Inn Cherokee/Smoky Mountains, Cherokee , 2 miles away Ramada Limited Cherokee, Cherokee , 2 miles away Comfort Inn Cherokee, Cherokee , 2 miles away Comfort Suites Cherokee, Cherokee , 2 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Oconaluftee River: Bradley's Campground, Cherokee, 2 miles away Yogi In The Smokies, Cherokee, 2 miles away Adventure Trail Campground, Cherokee, 2 miles away   Trails Near Oconaluftee River: Messer Trail, Cocke County , 16 miles away Palmer Creek Trail, Haywood County , 16 miles away Caldwell Fork Trail, Haywood County , 17 miles away Sugarland Mountain Trail, Sevier County , 17 miles away Lower Whiterock Trail, Cocke County , 18 miles away   National Parks Near Oconaluftee River: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg - TN , 17 miles away Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 53 miles away   Lakes Near Oconaluftee River