Nantahala River — Local services in Franklin

When I was considerably younger and had no injuries, my husband and I paddled white water canoe on the “Nanny”. Our previous experience was paddling the Locust Fork of the Warrior River in Alabama, the Guadeloupe in Texas. We had signed up for classes at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and had a knowledgeable guide. There are sections of the Nanny that are life threatening and viewing from a safe distance gave us nightmares. We did not want to venture down there.

The reason the Nanny is sooo cold is that the water is released from a dam every morning to produce electricity. We wore wet suits, paddling jackets, live preserves, and helmets and were dressed for the cold, not in cotton, but wool -and layers of fast drying fibers. During the waters release from the bottom of the dam, experienced white water kayakers and canoeists come for fun, adventure and to improve their skills.

Some parts of the river are gentle class I & II rapids. We paddled the class II and Class III rapids and after threading the needle in Georgia and falling into the drink more times than I care to remember, coming to the surface of a turbulent rapid and grasping for air before calling out for help, I had enough. I had a lot more to learn before pushing my luck in heavy white water.

I strongly recommend taking classes through the Nantahala Outdoor Center and hiring a Guide! If you are experienced, the trip is...

Stop and check this place out on your way over the mountain, it is phenomenal and not to mention free other than the parking, which I think is $3.00. It wasn’t crowded and the water was up so the falls were simply amazing. You walk down the path and it takes you down the mountain to the falls. Once down there you can actually walk behind the falls and watch it fall in front of you. Great place to pass time and enjoy the beautiful country...

This place is okay, but there are too many feisty rainbow, brown, and brook trout in the delayed harvest section...the scenery is annoyingly filled with indigenous flowering plants, the river seems a bit over done with cascades, clear cold water,.....stay...