Arkansas River Tours

ACE Adventure Resort is one of the premier outdoor adventure destinations in the eastern United States, situated at the gateway to New River Gorge National Park near Oak Hill, West Virginia. The resort runs guided whitewater raft trips on the New River — featuring exhilarating Class III–IV rapids through a 1,000-foot-deep gorge carved over 65 million years — and on the legendary Gauley River, whose dam-release season each fall unleashes some of the most technically demanding Class IV–V whitewater in North America. Beyond the rivers, ACE offers a multi-line zipline canopy tour soaring above the gorge, lift-served mountain biking on purpose-built singletrack, and outdoor climbing routes suited to all skill levels. The property sits on over 1,500 acres with full resort lodging, making it a natural basecamp for multi-day adventures in the gorge region.

Aerial adventure operation at the Anakeesta mountaintop attraction in Gatlinburg, situated on a ridge above the city at 3,300 feet elevation with panoramic views into Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most visited national park in the United States. The zipline course runs six lines across the forested ridge with the final run delivering riders to the valley base station 1,200 feet below the summit. The adjacent sky bridge — one of the longest pedestrian suspension bridges in North America at 680 feet — and a network of elevated treetop walkways are included in the zipline package. Guided night zipline tours operate on select evenings from June through October, taking advantage of the city light display visible from the ridge. The Gatlinburg location draws a year-round tourist base of more than 12 million annual visitors to the Smoky Mountain gateway corridor, making it one of the most accessible high-volume adventure operations in the Southeast.

Canoe and kayak outfitter on the Etowah and Chestatee rivers in the north Georgia foothills, running guided flatwater and mild whitewater paddle tours through the gold country of Lumpkin and Dawson counties — the site of America's first major gold rush in 1828. Guided day trips on the Chestatee River pass through scenic piedmont shoals and forested bluff terrain with optional stops at old mining sites visible from the river. Full equipment rentals with shuttle service are available for self-guided paddlers. The outfitter also offers guided hiking on the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain, less than an hour from the shop, including trail shuttle service for thru-hiker resupply. Located in Dahlonega on the town square, the operation draws spring and fall peak-season visitors from Atlanta seeking accessible backcountry experience within two hours of the city.

Multi-day guided raft expedition operator on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon — one of the most iconic and logistically demanding guided wilderness experiences in the United States. The operation offers both motorized and oar-powered raft expeditions ranging from 6-day partial canyon runs to 16-day full canyon traverses from Lee's Ferry to Diamond Creek, covering 226 miles of the Colorado River through the 6,000-foot deep gorge of the Grand Canyon. The full canyon trip navigates 160 named rapids including Crystal Rapid, Lava Falls, and the Granite Gorge sections where the canyon walls narrow and the river drops through the oldest exposed rock in the canyon — Vishnu Basement Rocks dating to 1.75 billion years ago. AZRA has operated Grand Canyon expeditions since 1969 and holds a National Park Service commercial use authorization for both motorized and non-motorized trips. Departures operate from April through October with a strict permit allocation system — advance booking is essential, with popular dates filling more than a year ahead.