North Carolina whitewater, Oconaluftee River Swain county, Quiet Walkway to Smokemont section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III     4 miles   The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in North Carolina are often easier than in other states, so if you're not from around here don't forget that many runs in this state are very easy. The Quiet Walkway to Smokemont stretch of Oconaluftee River in Swain County is 4 miles long and is a class III section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The natural beauty of North Carolina and the water flowing gracefully down     Oconaluftee River are reasons enough to come here and paddle. This is one of a small number of paddling stretches in this river system, there are a few others too. There are many good hotels to choose from, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. When you're paddling down a Great Smoky Mountains river like this one you always get great scenery along the way too. Whether you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a large number of paddling rivers. This stretch has has enough mileage, it's perfect for a one day trip. The put-in location is a short drive from Sevierville, if you're not familiar with the area there's a   road map further down the page. There's camping available near Oconaluftee River. Getting a good workout and just hanging out with mother nature are great reasons to come. Briefly about the general area: Going for a hike along the Messer Trail will let you absorb the natural beauty of this neighborhood. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a good local destination here at Oconaluftee River, and you'll meet a lot of people from Cherokee here. If you come to this river you will have a good time for sure. For the period of the days of summer, highs frequently are in the 80's at Oconaluftee River. Oconaluftee River, Quiet Walkway to Smokemont road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Oconaluftee River.   Whitewater Near Oconaluftee River: Oconaluftee River, Swain County, 2 miles away       Class III - 4 miles long (Quiet Walkway to Smokemont) Oconaluftee River, Swain County, 2 miles away       Class II-III - 11.5 miles long (Smokemont Campground to Birdtown) Whitewater Outfitter - Smokey Mountain Tubing, Swain County, 4 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Smokey Mountain Tubing, Swain County, 5 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Raven Fork, Swain County, 6 miles away       Class V+ - 4 miles long (Gorges to Confluence with Straight Fork) Raven Fork, Swain County, 6 miles away       Class II-III+(IV) - 8 miles long (Job Corps Bridge to Confluence with Oconalufftee) 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) Deep Creek, Swain County, 8 miles away       Class II - 3 miles long (Bryson City) Little Pigeon River - Middle Prong, Sevier County, 8 miles away       Class IV+ - 1.5 miles long (Ramsey's Cascade trailhead to Porters Creek confluence) Tuckasegee River, Jackson/Swain County, 8 miles away       Class I-III - 8 miles long (Whittier to Bryson City)   Ski Areas Near Oconaluftee River: Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 17 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 8 runs Cataloochee, North Carolina , 17 miles away, 740 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 32 miles away, 225 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs Sky Valley, Georgia , 33 miles away, 210 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Wolf Ridge, North Carolina , 61 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 20 runs   Hotels Near Oconaluftee River: Cherokee Lodge, Cherokee , 5 miles away Comfort Suites Cherokee, Cherokee , 5 miles away Great Smokies Inn Cherokee, Cherokee , 5 miles away Baymont Inn & Suites Cherokee Smoky Mountains, Cherokee , 5 miles away Hampton Inn Cherokee, Cherokee , 5 miles away   Campgrounds Near Oconaluftee River: Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Lower Chasteen Creek, Cherokee, 2 miles away Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Smokemont, Cherokee, 2 miles away Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Cabin Flats, Cherokee, 2 miles away   Trails Near Oconaluftee River: Messer Trail, Cocke , 13 miles away Lower Whiterock Trail, Cocke , 15 miles away Sugarland Mountain Trail, Sevier , 15 miles away Palmer Creek Trail, Haywood , 15 miles away Caldwell Fork Trail, Haywood , 16 miles away   Public Lands Near Oconaluftee River: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg - TN , 14 miles away Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 54 miles away Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina , 27 miles away Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia , 37 miles away Panther Creek State Park, Tennessee , 38 miles away   Golf Courses Near Oconaluftee River: Sequoyah National Golf Club, Whittier , 8 miles away Smoky Mountain Golf Course, Whittier , 9 miles away Bent Creek Golf Village, Gatlinburg , 11 miles away