Annually, there are approximately 150,000 commercial visitors to the Nantahala River, and about 30,000 public visitors, or those who access the river from private boats, Rubiaco said.

The Nantahala River in the Nantahala Gorge reopened Sept. 4 to the public for all uses, including private and commercial rafting and kayaking and fishing. A technical team led by the U.S. Forest ...

Local children with autism and world-famous paddlers find friendship on the Nantahala River December 1, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. | Updated November 30, 2017 at 12:20 p.m.