North Carolina whitewater - Raven Fork, Great Smoky Mountains, Swain County

Swain county, Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS V+     4 miles
  This stretch of Raven Fork in North Carolina is 4 miles long and it is classified as a class V+ section by American Whitewater. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in North Carolina is often easier than elsewhere, so better not forget that lots of rivers here are good for beginners. No shortage of good hotels, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. There's camping available near Raven Fork. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way this is an area with plenty of spots for
    that. The Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork section is one of a few paddling sections in this river system. The natural beauty of Swain County and the water flowing gracefully down Raven Fork beats anything. The starting point is not too far from Newport, if you're not familiar
with the area there's a road map further down the page. The wild scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains is great. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just hanging out with mother nature have people coming from far and near. This stretch has has enough mileage, it's perfect for a one day trip.

Briefly about the general area:
The Gorges is a magnificent site to explore. Raven Fork gets much water; of all the months in a year March is the one with the most rain, and October on the other hand is the driest.
High temperatures at Raven Fork
 
during the warmest time of the year are in the 80's. Once the sun is down it plunges down to the 60's. High temperatures throughout the wintertime are normally in the 40's; after the sun is down through the wintertime temperatures at Raven Fork fall into the 20's.

Raven Fork, Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: V+
Length: 4 miles
Average Gradient: 400 fpm
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 35.6062
Longitude: -83.2597

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 35.56549
Longitude: -83.2455

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Current weather conditions at Raven Fork, Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina
WXPort

Local climate location: SEVIERVILLE 6 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
6 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...



OTHER_INFO
  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 Raven Fork, North Carolina
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Raven Fork, 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 Newport, Tennessee
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Newport, Tennessee, the metro area neareast to Raven Fork. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Raven Fork.
 Whitewater Near Raven Fork:
Straight Fork, Swain County , 2 miles away, Class III-IV - 4.6 miles long (Round Bottom to Raven Fork)
Raven Fork, Swain County , 3 miles away, Class II-III+(IV) - 8 miles long (Job Corps Bridge to Confluence with Oconalufftee)
Oconaluftee River, Swain County , 6 miles away, Class III - 4 miles long (Quiet Walkway to Smokemont)
Oconaluftee River, Swain County , 7 miles away, Class II-III - 11.5 miles long (Smokemont Campground to Birdtown)
Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 9 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 , 11 miles away, Class IV+ - 1.5 miles long (Ramsey's Cascade trailhead to Porters Creek confluence)
Tuckasegee River, Jackson County , 11 miles away, Class II(III) - 5 miles long (Dillsboro to Route 1392)
Big Creek, Haywood County , 12 miles away, Class V - 5.4 miles long (Walnut Bottom to NPS Campground)
Scotts Creek, Jackson County , 13 miles away, Class III-IV(V) - 2 miles long (Willets-Ochre Hill to Addie)
Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County , 13 miles away, Class III-IV - 2.7 miles long (Picnic Grounds at Greenbrier Ranger Station to Highway 73)
 Ski Areas Near Raven Fork:
Cataloochee, North Carolina , 11 miles away, 740 vertical feet
Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 22 miles away, 600 vertical feet
Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 33 miles away, 225 vertical feet
Sky Valley, Georgia , 35 miles away, 210 vertical feet
Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 55 miles away, 700 vertical feet
Ski Beech, North Carolina , 101 miles away, 830 vertical feet
Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 101 miles away, 1200 vertical feet
Hawksnest, North Carolina , 103 miles away, 619 vertical feet
Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 115 miles away, 365 vertical feet
Winterplace, West Virginia , 186 miles away, 603 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Raven Fork:
Microtel Inn and Suites Cherokee, Cherokee , 3 miles away
Hawthorn Suites Louisville-East, Louisville , 3 miles away
Best Western Great Smokies Inn, Cherokee , 6 miles away
Baymont Inn Cherokee/Smoky Mountains, Cherokee , 6 miles away
Cherokee NC Days INN, Cherokee , 7 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Raven Fork:
Indian Creek Campground, Cherokee, 2 miles away
Round Bottom Campground, Swain County, 3 miles away
River Valley RV Park and Campground, Cherokee, 3 miles away
 Trails Near Raven Fork:
Palmer Creek Trail, Haywood County , 10 miles away
Messer Trail, Cocke County , 10 miles away
Caldwell Fork Trail, Haywood County , 10 miles away
Lower Whiterock Trail, Cocke County , 11 miles away
Baxter Creek Trail, Haywood County , 12 miles away
 National Parks Near Raven Fork:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg - TN , 19 miles away
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 48 miles away

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater