Smoky Mountain River Rat, Townsend, TN - Rafting

One place that you do not want to miss when you are looking for fun in the Smokies is the Smoky Mountain River Rat in Townsend, TN. This place has proven to be a popular spot on hot days allowing guests to have a fun way to stay cool while relaxing on the river.

Most everyone knows what tubing is, and here is a great place to do it. The river ranges from calm to somewhat rough in spots, giving visitors some excitement as they float downriver.

The float trip takes about one and a half hours. Guests can get either a float or a kayak. Once at the bottom of the destination, which is at a swinging bridge, a shuttle bus is waiting to take guests back up to the starting place. Once here, you can either call it a day - or go again.

Picnic spots are also available at both ends of the route. This allows you to relax and eat and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the river. Of course, if you don't carry your food with you, you will have to go back and get it.

Children over the age of five years old are allowed to have their own raft, but they will also need to be accompanied by an adult. To add safety for them, some tubes also have bottoms, so that the children cannot accidentally fall out. All guests are supplied with lifejackets, but they are optional for people over 13.

There are two different routes that you can take. One, called the Family Float, goes downriver from the River Rat building and lasts about one and a half hours. Anyone above two years old can go on this ride. The other one, called Adventure Float, lasts about one hour. Floaters on this ride will need to be above five years old, and they will be taken upriver by shuttle and then float down to the building.

On occasion, if the weather has been dry for a while, the river may be too low to go rafting. Just to make sure, you may want to call in advance to ensure that the water level is high enough.

Group rates are available for tubing groups. The larger the group, the better rates they will get. Kayakers, however, are not eligible for group rates. Also, those that want to go for a second or third trip down the river get to do so at about a third the regular rate. Fees include the shuttle ride, the tube or kayak, and a life jacket.

The Smoky Mountain River Rat also owns another place called USA Raft. Between the two of them, you are sure to find rafts, tubes, or kayaks for a day of leisure on the river.

When you go river rafting or tubing, you may also want to take in some of the other many activities or sights in the area. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides plenty of great scenery and wildlife, such as Cades Cove, or fun and excitement at places like Dollywood.