Transparency first
Independent,
and upfront
What we track, where the prices and review scores come from, and how we make money. Bookings always happen on the outfitter's own site.
Every outfitter on the river
Every company running the Pigeon out of Hartford, TN, including the small locally owned ones that rarely show up in search results.
The things that decide a trip
Starting price, review score, minimum age and weight, rapid class, trip length, season, and drive time from Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
Straight to the company
Every booking button opens the outfitter's own site. Raft the Smokies never takes payment and never holds your reservation.
Methodology & funding
Where the numbers come from
Prices, age limits and trip details are taken from each company's own website. Review scores come from Tripadvisor, Yelp or booking partners, and we name the source next to every score. A few companies have no public score yet, and we say that rather than guessing. Prices are advertised starting rates before seasonal promo codes, so checkout can be lower.
How Raft the Smokies makes money
When you click through to an outfitter, that referral can earn us a commission. It never changes your price, never changes the order of the table, and any paid placement is labelled as sponsored right in the listing.
One thing to know about the river
The Pigeon reopened in May 2025 after hurricane damage closed it for about six months, and I-40 construction can still move put-in points. Trip lengths and meeting spots change, so call the company the day before.
For outfitters
We aim to list every trip exactly as you run it. If a price, age limit, meeting spot or trip length is out of date, or you want your trips listed differently, get in touch and we'll correct it.
Photos on each listing come from that company's own website. Tell us if you'd rather we used a different one.