White water rafting in Southeast US
 

I did a search and found plenty of info on white water rafting in CO, but can anyone recommend a good place in the Southeast? I read some on Asheville, NC and WV - anywhere else you'd recommend? My mom lives in Rocky Mount, NC east of Raleigh. Anything over there? Looking for a surprise vacation for boyfriends birthday in September but could go before then if there's a better time.
Thanks!

There is whitewater rafting on the Nantahala river at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). It's a beautiful river in a deep gorge in the far western NC mountains. NOC has a website. There's a little development there with an outfitter store, a restaurant right on the river, and I think there are cabins, condos close by. Other than that, it's in the middle of nowhere, a hard (but scenic) hour's drive from Asheville.

Of course, the Chattooga, of Deliverance fame, is accessible in the Western, NC, N. Georgia area, but I think the whitewater is tougher there.

Try looking into Richmond, Va. The James River running through the center of the city has Class III rapids, and depending on water level, Class IV. I believe the name of the company that has the concession is called Richmond Raft Company. Richmond is about 2 hours from Rocky Mount.

Try http://www.usaraft.com/nolichucky.htm

They have listings for several locations in North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. You can find just about any class level of rapids.

Thank you for the info! I will look into these options.

"Of course, the Chattooga, of Deliverance fame, is accessible in the Western, NC, N. Georgia area, but I think the whitewater is tougher there."

In my experience, you are right, Litespeed. In addition to the Chattooga, I have rafted in Montana, British Columbia, and Costa Rica. The Chattooga was the most challenging. (And lots of fun!)

There are several whitewater rivers within 30 minutes to 2 hours of Asheville, all of which offer rafting with different levels of excitement and skill. The French Broad and Nantahala are generally class II and III, while the Nolichucky, Chattooga, Ocoee and Pigeon offer class IV rapids. Be aware, however, that the Nolichucky and Chattooga don't usually run in the late summer and fall, since they are not dam-controlled rivers.

In my opinion, however, having rafted many of the rivers in the southeast, the Gauley in southern West Virginia is the grandaddy of them all. However, it runs only in September and October, when water is being released from the dam on the river. It is breathtaking and not for the faint of heart.

The Chattooga in the NE corner of GA (forms the state border with SC) and the New River in W. VA. are the two big whitewater rivers in the East. I've run the New outside of Thurmond and the Chattooga outside of Clayton, GA. The Class IV rapids of Deliverance fame scared the %&@# out of me! I'd definitely start with Class III. Class II is fine for wee ones.

There's a lot of outfitter options just west of Asheville. The Ocoee (where the Olympics were held) is in Tennessee. Any would be a great birthday present.

Just don't start out with a Class IV stretch of the river! The water will be cold in September, but it's cold in the summer too.