Cartecay River Experience

Like many, I booked my tickets before reading the reviews. After reading the reviews I was a little nervous for the tubing trip I booked for 10+ people.

Upon arriving at the main building, we were instructed to leave behind anything we wouldn’t want to lose on the river (a very good piece of advice). Within 15 minutes a van picked us up and took us to the entry point for the river. The van was packed full and was musty but I guess that’s to expect when you transport wet people all day. At the entry point there was a large assortment of tubes to choose from- some with bottoms and some without. The trip down the river itself was super fun. The rapids towards the end were not as big as I was expecting but 2 of my friends did get flipped out of their tubes (they were fine). The final rapid was the largest one and I ended up climbing back up the rocks and riding down it 4 times. I thought it was so fun!! I highly recommend wearing water shoes for if you get stuck on rocks and for getting out at the end. Overall it was a great time!

The scariest part of the trip was the bus ride back to our car. we packed into a bus that was heading back to the parking lot where we first arrived. There weren’t enough seats for everyone so myself and a few others had to stand up. This didn’t bother me until the bus driver started going what must have been at LEAST 80 mph on the main road back. My knuckles were white from holding on for dear life as to not fall onto someone else. Two people made remarks asking the driver to slow down. After having a great time on the river this put a damper on the end of our trip. Safety needs to be more of a priority!!

I rented a kayak instead of an inner tube and I cannot recommend it enough! Although the kayak is a little more expensive, it is well worth it. The first half was pretty calm which allows you to get the hang of paddling, and the second isn’t that rough that you couldn’t handle it. I can’t recommend enough. It was a great time for a fair price.

The river is beautiful and fun, and I've always found the staff to be top notch. Even when they are very busy, the staff is professional . As a private boater who brings my own gear, the shuttle fee is reasonable and I'm treated with utmost courtesy. All my thanks! I will return and will send business your way.

I bought three tickets for me and my teenage sons on Groupon (because it was $19 cheaper) on the way to the river from Dalton, GA, Which is nearly an hour away. We get there and sprayed down with sunscreen and prepared to brave the crowd (zero social distancing, and nobody had a mask on for the crowded bus ride to the drop-off point). Went to the check in desk and told the woman with blonde hair with one side shaved that I used Groupon. She took delight in telling me they don't accept Groupon after 11:30 and told me it was my job to read the Directions. Nowhere on the Groupon did I see this info. If it was, then I will take responsibility for my mistake and chalk it up for not following directions. However, the woman was rude and wouldn't listen to me. The guy at the different put in point has always been super nice when we've been before, so I don't judge the whole company based on this one rude woman.

3/25 Memorial day. The entire staff was nice and engaging. Friendly people there made everything great. No one ignored me, and everyone made an effort to be helpful and thoughtful. All questions were answered, even some I didn't think of.

Had a great little kayak trip (less than 90 minutes). I caught the river at the right time for a great mix of relaxation and a little adventure. I was proud that I didn't flip the kayak or had to get into the water at any time, but there were some moments. I was a pro-kayaker right up until the end when their staff was watching me go down the last dip backwards before helping me disembark. Figures.

After coming here a month ago as a family, my daughter chose tubing with Cartecay River Experience to celebrate her 13th birthday with friends. It was a great, affordable way to social distance while enjoy her hot August birthday. All the girls had a wonderful time. The stretch of river is so fun. A mix of relaxing floating and a few great rapids - just exciting enough for the girls. The staff were really nice and thoughtful about following good safety protocols. Tubes were very clean and they even had fitted life jackets just the right size for the kids. We'll definitely come again!

Fun time on the Cartecay River with some friends. We rented tubes and had a great afternoon. The river is pretty lazy at first, but there are some interesting rapids a bit further down and the falls right before the take out is very fun but not for the faint of heart or for very young kids ~ 9/10 or older I think would be fine. You can take along refreshments but it has to be in a softsided cooler, so make note of that. They sell sticks for $5.00 to help push you off the rocksnot 100% necessary, but could be a good idea if you don't feel like getting off the tube and moving into deeper water if you get stuck. The rocks are SLIPPERY so river shoes are recommended. It took us about three hours and was a wonderful way to spend a hot afternoon on the river!

If there were a review between average and very good, I would give it that. Overall, we had a good time but we weren’t prepared for how often we would get stuck and how crazy some of the rapids would be. Our prior tubing experience was very chill (French Broad River) and allowed for all four of us to strap our tubes together. It is unwise to strap four tubes together on this trip. If we had known all of those things going in, we would have had a great time. All that said, it was still fun.

Great tubing adventure with our teenagers. Staff was very friendly and helpful. A family operation. Some of the rapids are a little challenging for less confident tubers so I would recommend wearing a life vest. Just the right length of trip.

It took about an hour and a half to get to the end of the lazy river. We brought our own tubes and it was only $7 cash for a ride back to our truck. They have tubes you can rent as well. Staff was very nice. They provide life vests and children must wear one. It’s really cold at first but you get used to the chill. Wear water shoes or similar. Rent or buy a stick from them to push off the rocks. Lots of ducks and birds to see.