Four Reasons To Spend Thanksgiving in the Mountains

We always have so much to be thankful for at NOC, and this November there are even more reasons to give thanks. Here's why NOC is a great place to be this November and over the Thanksgiving holiday:

1. Water all month long! Unlike in years past, the Nantahala will continue to have water releases through the month of November, making Thanksgiving an ideal time to go paddling. We're still offering rafting trips too, but we have to be flexible to catch the release times, which are only finalized three days ahead of time. If you want to add rafting to your November plans, give our reservations office a call (800.232.7238), and we'll work out the details with you. Boaters, plan your own trip using  Duke Energy's release schedule.

2. Fall offers new views for zip lining. As the leaves start disappearing from the trees, the Mountaintop Zip Line Tour takes on a whole new look. From any one of our ten zip lines you will be able to see for miles. Visit our website to book your tour.

Click here for a full-color photo album of zipping fun!

3. Relax and take in the cool mountain air. Kick back with your feet up by a fire and eat some s’mores! What better way to enjoy the holiday than under the stars by a fire in the mountains? For lodging recommendations, check out these options near our Nantahala campus.

4. Get all your outdoor gear for less! Coming to the mountains, doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all the Black Friday bargains. Catch NOC's Pre-Holiday Sale throughout November, and stop into any of our retail locations for major Black Friday and holiday promotions. On Black Friday shoppers will save as much as 50% off boats and paddling accessories at the Outfitter's Store, so it's certainly worth a trip to the mountains if you're shopping for a paddler.

Caught on Camera: Whitewater Rafting Photos

This blog has moved. You will be redirected to the new blog in 5 seconds. If your browser does not redirect, please click the following URL:

http://www.noc.com/blog/caught-on-camera-whitewater-rafting-photos/

As most NOC guests know, we take multiple photos of every rafting trip. That means we take hundreds of thousands of rafting photos each year. And while the vast majority of these are "honest," candid photos, some of our guests and guides make elaborate plans to stage their big moment in the rapids. 

Below are some of the best staged photos we seen this season. Enjoy! Let us know if you've got a good idea for a shot, or start making plans for your group's upcoming whitewater photo-op.

"Touch the Sky"

"The Classic Titanic"

"Rock the Boat, Rock the Boat Baby"

"Asleep at Nanty Falls"

Keep an eye out for a photo contest coming up soon on NOC's Facebook page. We'll give away some cool prizes to the winners, like free rafting and zip lining packages.

Summer is Here: Make the Best of It

Finally, it's summertime! It's the best season for relaxing, spending family time together, enjoying the great outdoors and making memories!

But summer gets shorter every year, and before long the Back-to-School sales will be here. So start making your summertime plans today. Fill your weekends with fun activities and ensure that when fall gets here your desk, wall and mantel will show great photos from summer 2013, your family's best summer yet.

Of course NOC offers many great adventures for active families. Below is a quick review of our rafting and zip line offerings to help you formulate your plans. These exciting adventures will create lasting memories and provide an exciting, fun day together.

"Get Your Feet Wet"- Beginner Rivers
These family-friendly rivers offer class II-III rapids that are easy to navigate, giving you a taste of what whitewater rafting is all about.  For an extra challenge, select rivers offer rental and ducky (inflatable kayak) trips, giving you the opportunity to guide your own adventure.

Heading into Nantahala Falls

• Nantahala River - near Bryson City, NC - minimum age is 7 or must weigh at least 60 lbs
  * Enjoy Nantahala River Campus featuring riverside dining, shopping, zipping and many more on-site adventures
• French Broad River - near Asheville, NC - minimum age is 8
• Lower Pigeon - near Gatlinburg, TN - minimum age is 3
• Lower Nolichucky Float Trips - near Johnson City, TN - minimum age is 4

"Make a Splash" - Intermediate Rivers
NOC's intermediate river trips offer continuous, splashy class III-IV rapids that are great for those looking for excitement, beautiful scenery and a day full of fun. These river trips number among the best whitewater runs in the region.

Big splash on the Middle Ocoee

• Middle Ocoee River - near Cleveland, TN - minimum age is 12
  *America's Favorite Whitewater Rafting Run
• Upper Pigeon River - near Gatlinburg, TN - minimum age is 8 or must weigh 70 lbs
• Chattooga Section III - near Clayton, GA - minimum age is 8
• Nolichucky River - near Johnson City, TN - minimum age is 12

"Take the Plunge" - Advanced Rivers 
For our adrenaline-wired guests, NOC offers several high adventure trips featuring class III-V rapids and promising a day of excitement you will not soon forget.  These trips are recommended for guests who have previous whitewater rafting experience and can actively participate for the duration of the trip.

All smiles on Chattooga Section IV

• Upper/Middle Ocoee Combo - near Cleveland, TN - minimum age is 13
  
• Chattooga Section IV - near Clayton, GA - minimum age is 13
  *Geogia's Wild and Scenic River
• Cheoah River - near Robbinsville, NC - minimum age is 16

Don't forget about the Zip Line Tours!

As of this season, NOC now offers two unique zip line adventures at NOC's Nantahala River Campus.

NOC Zip Line Adventure Park will challenge your skills and encourage you to face your fears on an aerial obstacle course featuring 17 fun, unique components, including the Wesser Zip, which runs around 550' long.

NOC's Mountaintop Zip Line Tour features a half-mile mega-zip with breathtaking 360 degree views above the treetops, just one of 10 zip lines leading you along a ridge top tour of the lush and scenic Nantahala Gorge.  Take a minute to check out this preview of NOC's newest aerial tour:



For information about raft and zip packages click here. 
We look forward to seeing you on the rivers and in the air this summer!

Five Reasons to Plan Your Adventure Now

Weather is warming up, school is finishing, and adventure is waiting for you in the Southeast!  Spring is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy new adventures.  Here are five reasons to plan now:

NOC's Mountaintop Zip Line Tour features the exciting half-mile Mega-Zip.

1. New Adventures to Try - NOC's newest adventure, NOC's Mountaintop Zip Line Tour, is now open for the 2013 season. Over the course of the tour guests enjoy 360-degree views of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Nantahala National Forest. The new tour features one of the longest zip lines in the country, the half-mile Mega Zip. With zips over 350' above the forest floor, guests soar to new heights on NOC's Mountaintop Zip Line Tour!
2. New Food - The former Slow Joe's Cafe has a new name and new menu! We just opened Big Wesser BBQ & Brew on the Nantahala Campus. Here, diners choose from delicious pulled pork, ribs, chicken and home-style sides like gouda mac & cheese, potato salad and green beans. Big Wesser has all of the fixin's to create a hearty meal to enjoy a hearty riverside meal.  Try out the new menu and enjoy live music every Friday and Saturday this summer at Big Wesser!
3. Warm Weather - The winter chill is gone and replaced by beautiful spring weather.  While the nights are still cool, the days are ideal for active outdoor adventures, whether it's mountain biking, zip lining, rafting or paddling, everyone should be comfortable and happy outside.
4. Mountain Flowers - The mountains are known for their foliage in the Fall and wild flowers in the Spring. If you haven't spent much time along the rivers and trails in the spring, you will be impressed by the Smokies fresh and vibrant spring flowers.  The popular Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel will be blooming along our Southeastern rivers from late May to early June.
5. More Water - Some of our rivers depend on rainfall, and the spring months offer ideal water levels, thanks to spring showers. It's been a wet spring, so remember that now's a great time to enjoy the excitement of a high-water trip on these classic southeastern rivers. 

A high water run earlier in the year on the Nantahala River.

So join us on area rivers or trails and enjoy springtime in the mountain South!

For more information about NOC and activities, click here.