The Nantahala River

The Nantahala River and environs is one of the great paddling areas in the U.S. The setting is appropriate. The Nantahala Gorge is quite scenic, and the river is a good paddle in its own right. With upstream reservoir releases almost year round, this Class II+ run provides a good training ground for the beginning white water enthusiast.

The Nantahala runs clear and very cold from the bottom of Aquone Reservoir. Most of the rapids are on the upper half of the run, and all are well known to scores of paddlers. The gorge is so situated that it gets little direct sunlight. Some say the Indian name Nantahala reflects this and translates as "river of the noonday sun."