There’s Nothing Better Than Tennessee's Natural Lazy River On A Summer’s Day
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Is it just us, or does summertime make you ready and rarin’ for an adventure? Tucked away in the mountains of east Tennessee, River Rat Tubing provides the wildly exciting waterways and beautiful scenery needed to set the stage for an epic story. Take a trip down this lazy river – you’ll never forget it.
Smoky Mountain River Rat tubing is located in Townsend, Tennessee, about 45 minutes South of Knoxville at the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park.
The business, owned by Shannon and Shannan Skidmore (husband and wife) has been operating for over 21 years, providing tubing trips to anyone that wanted to see that beautiful Little River.
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River Rat offers tubing excursions down the tranquil Little River, known for its stunning scenery as it winds from the Smokies to the Tennessee River.
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Tubing is seasonal, and opening and closing dates vary year to year with the conditions of the weather and the river. However, they're always open from Memorial Day weekend until the Labor Day Monday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Two tubing packages are offered -- the Lower section for family friendly and calm waters, and the Upper section with heavier rapids. Both sections are suitable for children 6 and older.
Tubing is $15 per adult for day passes, but you can save money by buying your tickets online in advance (only $13 per pass), or by buying a Season Splash Pass, good for unlimited tubing all summer plus one White Water Rafting trip! Worried about having to pack food on the water? River Rat has you covered -- grab some grub at the Toobers Café, located at their main outpost in Townsend.
If tubing is a little too tranquil for you, River Rat also offers white water rafting on the Pigeon River, a short drive away from Townsend. The Pigeon features Class IV rapids and some of the most beautiful scenery this side of the Mississippi.
Visit for yourself at 205 Wears Valley Road in Townsend, Tennessee. Have a most epic adventure, friends!
PS: You Haven’t Lived Until You’ve Visited This Small Town in Tennessee. Have fun!
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