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   This stretch of Oconaluftee River is 11.5 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II-III section. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state is often easier than elsewhere, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that many of the rivers here are not very demanding. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just hanging out with mother nature will make you glad you came. This stretch has enough mileage for an overnight trip, so pack your sleeping bag. This river system has a few good paddling stretches and the Smokemont     Campground to Birdtown section is one of them. No need to look hard for hotels, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, around here you'll find a large number of good spots. For all you camping people there are campgrounds nearby. The nature scenery of North Carolina and the water flowing gracefully down Oconaluftee River are reasons enough to come here and paddle. The put-in is not too far from Sevierville, as you can see on the road map further down. The Great Smoky Mountains scenery is wonderful. Briefly about the general area: Summertime highs at Oconaluftee River mostly tend to be in the 80's. All through the dark hours of summer temperatures drop down into the 60's. High temperatures throughout the wintertime   are normally in the 40's; winter nights come with lows in the 20's to Oconaluftee River. All the water falling down from the sky makes Oconaluftee River a wet site; March is the wettest month with most rain while October is mostly the driest month. Whiteoak Flats is a good place to have a look at near Oconaluftee River. 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. 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 with... 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... Comfort Inn Cherokee, Cherokee 2 miles away Nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, we offer a quiet and peaceful getaway for our guests. Our spacious and comfortable rooms offer in room coffee, iron and board, hair dryers, and high ...   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: Baymont Inn Cherokee/Smoky Mountains, Cherokee , 2 miles away Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee , 2 miles away Comfort Inn Cherokee, Cherokee , 2 miles away Comfort Suites Cherokee, Cherokee , 2 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites CHEROKEE/CASINO, 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