Nantahala River

USA's most-run whitewater river — Class II–III releases from Lake Nantahala.

Where on earth

Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Nantahala River, Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.

Region: North Carolina, USA
Country: Worldwide
Biome: Southern Appalachian (600 m)
Best season: April – October
Difficulty: moderate

Known for

Backpacking
Hiking
Rafting
Canoeing
Fishing

Key takeaways

Biome: Southern Appalachian (600 m)
Best season: April – October
Difficulty: moderate
Top activity: backpacking

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Topic summary

USA's most-run whitewater river — Class II–III releases from Lake Nantahala.

Key takeaways

Difficulty: moderate
Best season: April – October

Intended uses

backpacking

Climate suitability

Southern Appalachian (600 m)

Verification notes

Last verified January 1, 1970.

Region

Worldwide

Biome

Southern Appalachian (600 m)

Difficulty

moderate

backpacking

Plan with verified data

Nantahala River trip tools

Month by month Weather & climate Wildlife Photos Plan a trip here

Popular pursuits at Nantahala River

Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Rafting
Whitewater sections and the flows that make them run.
Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.

Animals around Nantahala River

Browse all wildlife guides →