| Difficulty | I-II(III) |
| Length | 6.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 27 fpm |
| Gauge | Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge Near Lancing, Tn |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 942 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 28, 2026 |
When the Class I-II+ sections of Clear Creek like Barnett to Jett and Jett to Lilly start to get higher than many beginner/intermediate paddlers would be comfortable paddling them, White Creek comes in, offering the perfect back-up plan when Clear Creek is over 1000 cfs. The main difference is that this creek is much smaller, so the risk of river-wide strainers increases substantially compared to the larger stream bed of Clear Creek. However, the small creek scenery and delights found on White Creek are oh so sweet, and though there is a little bit of development here and there in the canyon corridor of White Creek, often enough you'll get nice stretches of uninterrupted wilderness aesthetics.
While access at Hwy 62 is possible with the right connections or a willingness to get super dirty, cut up, and beatdown trying to bushwack along the state highway right of way all the way down to the water, it is highly recommended to simply put-in 3 miles further upstream at Twin Bridges, where a National Park Service access is located on the upstream river-left side of the bridge over the creek.
The first 3 miles are much milder than the bottom 4 miles, with mostly Class I and flatwater with simple Class II's every once in a while. Just upstream of the high Hwy 62 bridge you'll notice the old Hwy 62 crossing of the creek, which still has a right of way and can be used to access the creek if you have the right connections.
Downstream of Hwy 62, the creek gets more interesting right out of the gate, with some really nice bedrock Class II with surf waves at higher flows. Soon enough boulders start to obscure the downstream view. There are several boulder garden rapids spread out over the middle miles that require careful boat/bank scouting to ensure that trees do not block the channel. Wood moves around in this small stream, that's so narrow that a fallen tree from the bank will likely fully span the channel. A few undercuts, island splits, and pin-pron
...Park on the upstream river-left side of White Creek here, in a small pull-out that is public.
While Hwy 62 crosses as a high bridge, the old Hwy 62 bridge location is a public right of way. This spot is a good emergency access, or if arranged with the landowner who owns the gate on the road at Hwy 62, a shorter put-in. Access must be arranged in advance, so otherwise plan on using the put-in at Twin Bridges, 3 miles upstream. It is also possible but very difficult to park along Hwy 62 and find your way down to the creek, but it's so hard that putting in at Twin Bridges makes the most sense.
A wonderful surf wave at the right level, with eddy service on the right.
After the surf wave, a beautiful wall on river-right forms, and then a sharp turn back to the right. After this turn eddy out and scout a technical entry to a 2 foot ledge. Wood can be a problem here, as on the rest of the creek. The above image is not of the ledge itself, but is from just above and around the corner from the ledge, providing a good marker for the rapid.
Barnett Bridge River Access is the take-out. Park in the small lot, head in to make room for other paddlers, on the downstream river-right side of the bridge.