We are visiting Tennesse/North Carolina area for a week and want to spend one day on a raft trip? There are many rivers to take a trip on. Does anyone recommend a river or trip? Also looking for a good place to stay in Gatlinburg. Thanks

Try the Ocoee River in southern TN near the GA border. There are many companies that you can book a trip with. On some weekends the upper Ocoee is also open (this is where the 1996 Olympic kayaking was held).The river is class 3-4. The middle section takes approx 2 hours. Add another couple hours for the upper section. The middle section will cost $30-$35 depending on the day & doing both sections would run around $80. I have used OAR and some others that I cannot remember the names of and had a great time. Have fun!!

A couple of years ago my family took a a raft trip on the French Broad River, about an hour north of Ashville. We had a great time, it was intermediate level rafting (mostly class 3 with a couple of class 4 rapids). There were several outfits there, I don't remember which one we used. You had a choice of going in a raft with a guide or using an inflatable kayak.

I agree with the posting on the Ocoee. The upper section is where the summer Olympic white water rafting events were held. I believee that the upper section is open most weekends in July and August. I've only done the middle section, but it is a lot of fun, too. Very close to Chatanooga, which is a great place for a night. There are also several nice B&B type places near the Ocoee put-in site. As far as a place to stay in Gatlinburg, there are thousands. It is overrun with hotels, motels, condos. Depends on your tastes. The Chamber of Commerce has a lodging referral service -- 800-568-4748. I remember that a few summers ago, when we decided to spend a few days in the Smoky Mts. at the last minute, we were able to get a very nice condo, up away from the hoards in Gatlinburg, for about $100 a night. Two big bedroom, pool on premises, great views. Name of the condos (about 80 units, I think) was Raven Crest.

I liked the Nantahala River near Bryson City in western NC a lot -- great service at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Also hike Mt. LeConte on the NC-Tennessee border if you have the opportunity -- it's beautiful.