Pigeon River
Cocke Co. · 30 mi · Class III–IV
867CFS/ 3.58 ft
Optimal
↓Falling (-173 cfs/hr)· -433 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 800–3000 CFS · USGS #03461500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
30 mi
Length
Class III–IV
Difficulty
800–3000 cfs
Optimal
1,600 cfs
Avg Flow
1,450 cfs
Hist. Median
#03461500
USGS Gauge
Cherokee National Forest (headwaters) · Great Smoky Mountains Gateway

Hartford"s gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains — the Pigeon River delivers 30 miles of Class III–IV whitewater through the Appalachian foothills of eastern Tennessee. One of the most popular commercial rafting rivers in the Southeast, with dam-controlled releases providing consistent flows. The upper section near Hartford is the wildest; the lower section near Newport is more accessible.

Trip sections
Upper Pigeon — Hartford, Class III–IV, dam-release whitewater
Lower Pigeon — Class I–II, family float section
Big Creek to Newport — Class II, lower river
Outfitters
Rafting in the Smokies
Hartford TN Pigeon River guided raft trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.