• Rivers in the US are rated on an American version of the International scale of river difficulty.
• A scale of from Class I to Class VI. is used, with Class I being flat water and Class VI being something unrunnable (like Niagra Falls).  
• This system is not exact; rivers do not always fit easily into one category, and regional or individual interpretations may cause misunderstandings. Resource the American Whitewater International Scale of Difficulty for more specific information.

​Hands down-because of our staff – the core of what makes us great. They are friendly, professional, and committed to making sure you have a great time on the river.

We use all self-bailing rafts, paddles, personal flotation devices (pfd’s, aka life jackets) and helmets

• Our pfd’s are Type V Coast-guard approved.
• On the Nantahala, you must wear a pfd and helmet.  We also offer complimentary splash jackets and wetsuits.
• On the Ocoee and Cheoah Rivers, pfds and helmets are mandatory.  We also provide complimentary splash jackets and wet suits on chillier days.

​We provide discounts for groups of 12+ for rafting.  Call us to discuss special rates for boy scouts and girl scouts for rafting and kayak instruction, as well as school and camp group rates.

​For rafting on the Ocoee and Cheoah Rivers, advance reservations are required. For the Nantahala, advanced reservations are highly recommended, but if you have a last minute opportunity to join us on the river, please come in. 

For fly fishing and kayak instruction, advanced reservation are required.

For group reservations, we are happy to work with you on payment by check, or payment by individual group members.

We have a generous cancellation policy that accommodates changes that do come up.
Nantahala River: Up to seven (7) days before the trip you may cancel for a full refund. Within the seven (7) days there is not a refund.
Ocoee River: Cancellations receive a full refund up to fourteen (14) days before the trip. Within 14 days there is not refund.
Cheoah River:  Cancellations receive a full refund up to thirty (30) days before the trip.  Within 30 days of the trip there is no refund.

We are located in a temperate rain forest, therefore,weather forecasts will always indicate rain. It may rain somewhere, for some amount of time, at some point during a 24-hour day.  It also might might not rain at all.  Regardless, our whitewater rafting trips go rain or shine! And with complimentary splash jackets and wetsuits, a rainy day on the river is just as fun and just as wet as a sunny day!

The Nantahala is a Class II-III river – which is great for those with little whitewater experience, families, and those who love returning to the Nantahala River over and over again.

• Children must be either 7 years old or weigh 60 pounds. This is a Forest Service regulation and there are no exceptions.
• You have the choice of a guided trip, a self-guided trip or inflatable kayaks/duckys.
• How much time do I need: The river is an 8-mile, three hour trip (two hours for actual river time, and additional time for check-in, orientation, shuttle and end-of-trip loose ends).
• Rafts can accommodate between 2 and 7 participants. If you have more than 7 guests, we will provide you with multiple rafts. The duckys are either single or double.
• What times are available:  We run trips all day long.  Time times vary throughout the year.
• What to wear: We recommend you come dressed for your trip:  shorts/tshirts, shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip flops or crocs), and if you tend to get cold, synthetic/wool layers will help out.
• We also provide complimentary wetsuits and splash jackets.
• We are located just 1-mile from the finish of the river. We will shuttle you to the put-in at the beginning of the trip and pick you up at the end of your trip. We have changing rooms to use after your trip to get into dry clothes.  Your vehicle will be parked in our parking area and we have a file for your keys while you are on the river.
• We do not recommend that you bring any valuables on the river, including your cell phone. There is a professional photographer that will take pictures of you at the best rapid on the river.

The Ocoee is a Class III-IV river located just over the NC/TN line.  The Ocoee is a great choice for those with whitewater experience and/or those wanting to “step it up.”

• Ocoee rafting participants must be 12 years old. This is a Forest Service regulation and there are no exceptions.
• All Ocoee trips are fully guided.
• There are two sections of the Ocoee – the Upper Ocoee and the Middle Ocoee.  We offer four options on the Ocoee:  A full day Upper/Middle or Double Middle Combo, a single Upper Ocoee or single Middle Ocoee.
• How much time do I need: The full day trip starts at 9AM and finishes by 5PM at the latest. The half day trips are two-hour trips.
• You do not have to meet us at our outpost for the trip. If you are traveling from south or west of the Ocoee River, we will arrange to meet you at the river.
• What to wear: We recommend you come dressed for your trip:  shorts/tshirts, shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip flops or crocs), and if you tend to get cold, synthetic/wool layers will help out. We have changing rooms available at the river to change into dry clothes.
• We provide complimentary wetsuits and splash jackets for cooler days.
• We do not recommend that you bring any valuables on the river, including your cell phone. There is a professional photographer that will take pictures of you at the best rapid on the river.

Our Ocoee full-day trips include complimentary transportation from our Nantahala Outpost. For those who would find it more convenient to meet us at the Ocoee, we are happy for you to do so. We will provide you with specific directions to the Ocoee River. If you are joining us for a half-day trip you will always meet us at the Ocoee River, not at our outpost.

The Cheoah River is a Class IV+ river.

• Previous Class IV rafting experience is mandatory within the last five years. The minimum age for participating on the Cheoah is 16 years old. This is a Forest Service regulation and there are no exceptions.
• The Cheoah is a 12-miile, full day trip.
• Included in the trip is a riverside lunch and a complementary shuttle to and from our Nantahala outpost.
• The maximum number of guests in a raft is four (4), plus the guide.  For groups with more than four, we will split you into multiple rafts and you may be with other guests.
• For Cheoah trips, you can meet us at our Nantahala Outpost or at the Cheoah River (directions will eb provided).

​Our guides are paid above industry standard as a reflection of their above-average experience and training. But many are working to put themselves through school or are a professional in a seasonal business; therefore, gratuities are greatly appreciated.

Whitewater kayaking is a technique-driven sport. The better your technique, the better the boater you will be. Advancing as a kayaker involves building off of a foundation—the stronger the foundation, the better you will paddle. And if you value your time, instruction will help expedite the learning process. While learning from fellow boaters is always fun, spending time with a professional instructor guarantees that the foundation you receive will make you a better boater, faster.

​The rivers we use depend on the individual. For a beginning boater we will start off on the lake and then head to the Little Tennessee or Tuckasegee River in the afternoon. For more advanced instruction we use the Nantahala, Ocoee, Pigeon, Chattooga Rivers, as well as any number of rain-dependent rivers that may be available on a specific day of instruction.

​We provide all the gear you will need for instruction; while we do not provide a discount for those who already have their equipment, we do offer the use of any of our gear without charge. The only investment you will need to make is in a pair of nose clips!

Come prepared with clothes that can get wet (shorts. tshirts, bathing suits or trunks).  It is better to stay away from cotton. You will need shoes that stay on your feet, water shoes, tennis shoes or sandals. No flip flops or crocs.

With private instruction, we are hands-on with you, focusing on your goals and needs. You do not share your time with a group of paddlers that may not have the same goals. Your instructor works at your pace. It’s all about you and your goals.

​Expect a day paced around your needs. The focus is on learning as much as possible. Instruction will be hands-on and based on your learning style. You will go away having accomplished personal goals for the day. In addition, we will help you set goals for the year.

​​We are known for our work with younger kayakers! While ten years old is the ball park age for beginning to teach children, we have had kids as young as seven and as old as seventy two.  And with state-of-the-art equipment designed for smaller people, kayaking is great for young people.

Whether you are interested in the C-to-C roll of the Sweep roll, we will help you learn a solid foundation.  We typically start new boaters out with the C-to-C roll because of how well it breaks down for learning each step. There are basic tenants to any roll that are the same, regardless of the name; the set up, body position, hip snap and finish. These do not change. Our success in teaching you to roll is not by whether you “got up” but by providing you with a comfortable learning environment, and helping you build a strong foundation. This leads to a solid roll. We work to alleviate bad habits from the beginning. And we have a big bag of tricks for problem solving rolling issues.

​We also offer instruction in the Tater and the Spud- inflatable kayaks that are as nimble as a whitewater kayak, but not as learning intensive as a whitewater kayaks. In addition, we do offer lake touring boats for a fun day on the water.

Imagine a day paddling about a beautiful lake, stopping for lunch alongside a creek, spotting birds and local mammals, and maybe a walk through Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest as icing-on-the-cake.

For whitewater kayak and rafting, November through March are ideal for the Oriente of Ecuador – where we spend our winters.
For birdwatching and eco-tourism, the “eternal spring” weather in Ecuador makes it a favorite destination year-round.

​Ecuador’s rivers are world class! We run trips from Class II-III to Class IV+ in the Oriente of Ecuador (the eastern part of the country). The rivers include, but are in no way limited to the Quijos, Oyacachi, Cosanga, Mishualli, Jatunyacu, Hollin and Jondachi. We offer scheduled trips and custom itineraries year round.

We highly encourage you to bring your non-kayaking partner/family along. We have rafts, shredders and duckys to get everyone on the river.

There is no better country to travel to to introduce your family to international travel. Our accommodations are comfortable, the food is delicious and there are activities for everyone.

From the time you land in Quito, we will take care of all the logistics from activities, guides, equipment, accommodations and meals.  You can relax and enjoy this fabulous vacation.

You want to plan your travel to fly in and out of Quito, Ecuador. Quito, the capital of Ecuador was the first World Heritage site!

The RioQuijos EcoLodge is located in the Quijos Valley in the eastern region of Ecuador. Based on the Quijos River, it is the perfect destination for whitewater kayaking and rafting, birdwatching, or just spending time outdoors relaxing in a hammock. Other choices are horseback riding, whitewater rafting or kayaking, trekking to waterfalls, fishing, horseback riding, cycling and yoga. All of our trips will include time spent at the Rio Quijos EcoLodge.

If you are interested in spending time outdoors – you are our people.  Our guests tend to be more discerning. They spend more time researching their trips, expect a higher level of quality, and after time with us, consider themselves part of the Endless River Adventures family.

We are located in western North Carolina, in the Nantahala Gorge. This puts us 20 minutes from Bryson City, North Carolina and 45 minutes from Murphy, North Carolina.

We have purposefully chosen to coordinate all our activities from our Nantahala outpost. This allows guests the ability to enjoy time in western North Carolina without moving around for each activity. And we provide the transportation to each recreational area we use—taking the hassle out of vacation!

We have chosen to be a “small giant” in our industry, maintaining a smaller size to guarantee a quality service. Three words sum us up: staff, equipment and facility.

Staff: We are a hand-picked group of professionals who take enormous pride in the role we play at Endless River Adventures. Each of us are cross-trained in multiple areas. You will find the same familiar faces each year as we share a long-term commitment to the company.

Equipment: We were the first company in the southeast to choose to use only self-bailing rafts; and we provide complimentary wet suits and paddle jackets to make your trip more comfortable.

Facility: When you pull up to Endless River Adventures you will find a clean, professional outpost and a staff that greets you with a smile and a handshake.

Our small size allows us to provide the same service to a group as to an individual family. Our size also allows us to cater a trip to the needs of a group—whether a church group needing a meeting area, a corporate group needing a catered lunch, or a scout group needing to meet requirements for an outing.

​Bryson City, NC, just ten minutes from our location in the Nantahala Gorge, was designated by Outside Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Whitewater Towns.”  Here, you are not only at the epi-center of whitewater recreation, but also at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. ABC’s Good Morning America and National Geographic Adventurer named NC the “#1 Vacation with a Splash” featuring the Nantahala River. Picture whitewater, mountain biking, lake touring, hiking, exploring antique stores, and relaxing on the porch to watch a gorgeous sunset over the mountains– there is no better place to come to rejuvenate your spirit.

The western North Carolina area is host to any number of inns, cabins, lodges and bed & breakfast accommodations. We do outdoor recreation very well, and our partners do accommodations very well. We maintain a list of preferred partners and support a number of them with special vacation packages.

The kind of person that joins Team Endless River Adventures is an outdoor enthusiast who has a professional attitude and appearance, good work ethic, good people and communication skills, the ability to work under minimal supervision, a commitment to being a team player; and is highly motivated to excel in the job. Though job openings are infrequent, we are always looking for great employees. If you are interested in being a part of our team and would like to “get your foot in the door,” please contact us for a job application and details on specific jobs available for this year.