Oconaluftee
2. Smokemont Campground to Oconaluftee Visitor's Center
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 3.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Permit | No permit required, National Park Service jurisdiction. Downstream of the visitor center, it becomes Cherokee Indian Reservation land and paddling is not permitted. |
| Gauge | Oconaluftee River at Birdtown, Nc |
| Flow Rate as of 50 minutes | 208 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 2, 2022 |
River Description
This is an under appreciated and very scenic Class II-III run in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Cherokee, NC. The shuttle logistics are easy, as the run is mostly roadside. The takeout offers bathrooms, vending and a very nice NPS Visitor Center with a wealth of local information.
Overall, the difficulty level is close to the Nantahala and more challending than the Tuckaseegee Gorge. It offers a good introduction to Smoky Mountain creeking. That being said, this reach is not paddled often and requires some additional skills. This run is prone to tree strainers and has some blind curves. The leader should be able to boat scout Class III and communicate quickly to the group hazard locations. Adequate group spacing is manadatory. Everyone in the group should be able to quickly eddy out and stop if a strainer hazard is present. It's a fun and scenic run, just be ready for hazards. If you encounter a hazard, please post to this page and/or notify the NPS at the visitor center.
As of February 2022, this river section has several potentially dangerous strainers. Comprehensive pre-run scouting and safety preparations are recommended. With the abundance of wood, this is not an easy Class II-III run. It requires a high level of situational awareness and the ability to avoid potential hazards. On February 24, 2022, there was a fatality from a strainer upstream of the Smokemont Bridge. An abundance of caution, group skill assessment and risk evaulation is reccomended.
River Features
Smokemont Campground
Putting in here gives you an extra 0.2 miles of river and the rapid before Smokemont Bridge. There is only space to park 1-2 cars here, and unknown if it's acceptable during the summer season. More parking is available at the Smokemont Bridge.
Smokemont Bridge
Alternate put in with more parking than at the campground. Easy access to river.
Tow String Bridge
Tow String Bridge and Rapid. Class II with some play spots and alternate river access with parking.
Job Corps Bridge
Class 2 shoals at the bridge.
Oconaluftee Visitor's Center
Take out on the eddies on river right, just below the visitors center. Follow path up to parking lot. Bathrooms and vending machines are available.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThe run was clear of dangerous wood. The only potential problem was a decent sized tree parallel to the current, in the center of the river, under the Job Corps bridge. It has moved over the last week or so. Watch for it, in case if becomes a river wide. issue. Other than that, only a few trees on the edges, but easy to avoid. The level was about 1700 cfs.
No wood obvious from the road today. Running about 2000 cfs. Looked good.
I paddled this several times in March 2018 and the run is pretty clear of trees, with no riverwide unavoidable strainers. 1000 cfs is a good minimum fun level. 1500 cfs is a nice fun level. We watchful when the river splits into two channels, one is often more woody than the other.
As of 11/13/18, this tree is gone.
Paddled this twice in April/May 2010. I would say 1,000cfs is the minimum, 1,400-1,500 is ideal. There were a few strainers during this time but they were very easy to avoid.
The acess issue must be lifted and would only apply to specific parts of the river. Part of this run is owned by the NPS, part of the run is owned by the Tow Line Road Community, and finally the last few miles are owned by the Cherokee Indians. The river sees hundreds of commercial and semi-commercail trips from local rent a rafters and tubers all summer.
Last checked there were some access issues with this run.