Rafting drives tourism in Cocke County as Hurricane Helene recovery continues

by: Naomi Hillmer

Posted: May 28, 2026 / 12:20 PM EDT

Updated: May 29, 2026 / 07:26 AM EDT

HARTFORD, Tenn. (WATE) — Rafting season has kicked off along the Pigeon River, the second season since Hurricane Helene devastated the Cocke County community and upended rafting companies in the region.  

As one of the largest tourist attractions in the area, rafting brings thousands of people to Cocke County.  

“The Pigeon River is one of the top priorities for Cocke County from a tax revenue standpoint. We pay $2 per head, and our company does anywhere from 50 to 60,000 people a year. Good years, we’ve done 70, bad years like last year we did 41 to 45,000,” said Daniel Jennette, Smoky Mountain Outdoors Rafting owner.

Opening for the first time since Hurricane Helene last year, he said they are just now feeling a sense of normalcy.  

“We’re still recovering from the flood. We’re about 20, 21 months out, and it’s just a rebuilding process,” said Jennette. “We’re a 35-year-old company, we lost everything, we completely rebuilt, everything here is brand new, our boats, and it’s been a monumental task.” 

However, now he says the river is better and safer than ever.  

“It was literally like a wash by Mother Nature, the wildlife’s back, it’s just the overall scene of the whole river is just better,” said Jennette.  

Not even two years ago, most of his business was underwater, with water levels rising above many of its buildings’ doorframes.  According to Jennette, what used to be the most rafted waters has now dwindled, and it’s companies like his that are hoping to get more people out on the Pigeon River.  

“We have secured right at $5 million in matching funds from the State, and we have applied for an EDA grant, which, it looks like, we’re going to get. It’s not 100%, but that’s an additional $21 million,” he said. 

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This, he said, would go to the Pigeon River Outfitters Association, which includes all of Hartford’s rafting companies, to rebuild part of the rapids and a beautification project.  

“When it’s all said and done, we will have probably one of the best sections of whitewater in the first mile in the country, because this was the most rafted river in the United States and the most popular,” said Jennette. “Since the flood, our numbers have dropped, and that is not the case anymore, but it won’t be long before we get back up there.”  

He added that while there is no doubt the river has changed, it is still safe to raft for people of all ages.