How it works
Independent, and upfront about it
We track 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.
We compare 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.
You book with the company directly
Every booking button opens the outfitter's own site. Raft Smokies never takes payment and never holds your reservation.
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 the price you see at checkout can be lower.
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.
How Raft Smokies makes money
When you click through to an outfitter, that referral can earn Raft Smokies a commission. It never changes your price, never changes the order of the table, and any paid placement will always be labelled as sponsored right in the listing.
For outfitters
If something about your company is out of date, or you want your trips listed differently, get in touch and we'll correct it.
See the comparison