Tubing in Cherokee
Go with the float.
If you enjoy drifting over rippling, clear water through a lush canopy of trees, tubing in Cherokee awaits. Nothing beats the thrill of rapids tickling your toes on a hot summer afternoon. Cherokee offers several tubing opportunities that send you twirling down the Tuckasegee and the Oconaluftee rivers, so pack your sunscreen and take a load off as you sink into your giant tube. Outdoor adventure has never been so relaxing. Stop in at the Cherokee visitor center to find out the best spots from which to launch.
Let the River take you away
The Oconaluftee River is widely known as one of the best tubing rivers in the southeastern United States and features type I and II rapids, crystal clear waters, and plenty of swimming holes.
Although you may experience tranquility and peace in the calm beauty of Cherokee’s many waterways, ponds, and waterfalls, there is nothing quite like the thrill of an exciting tubing excursion. Take your family on a tubing adventure offered by one of Cherokee’s many rafting and tubing companies on various Cherokee rivers. Find the perfect tubing experience at the Cherokee Visitor Center.
Looking for another way to swing into summer?
If you’ve ever wanted to do your best Tarzan impression and swing on a rope followed by a deep dive into a cool, clear river, we have the adventure for you. Though the rope swing we’re describing is a little challenging to get to, most agree it’s well worth your while to find. There are two routes: either begin with a tubing adventure on the Oconaluftee, so you eventually float down and find the area the locals refer to as Piney Grove Beach or take Big Cove Road and take a local with you. It isn’t easy to find if you take the road, but very easy if you access it via tube. You’ll discover the rope swing is part of a big swimming hole near the river, so there’s plenty of fun to go around. The Cherokee Welcome Center can get you started in the right direction.
Stay and play
Each place you visit in Cherokee pulses with the stories and significance of a people whose roots run deep and whose ancient wisdom is fascinating to uncover. Nestled in the lush landscapes of Western North Carolina, Cherokee invites you to smell the wood smoke and open your ears. If you listen closely, maybe you can hear the chanting of the little Nunnehi people of the mountain peaks. No need to resist Cherokee’s invitations to dive right in. Fire off a blowgun if you dare, but make sure your spouse is in the clear. As you cast your line into the trout-filled rivers or wash your face in the sweet spray of a waterfall, let the powerful feelings of Cherokee carry you. Even if it’s just for a day or two.
