New to rafting the Hiwassee River? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
If you are into paddling (which I definitely am), East Tennessee has some of the best whitewater in the country and you’ll find a number of scenic rivers within a few hours drive of Knoxville.
One of my personal favorites things to do is kayaking or rafting the Hiwassee River in Reliance, TN, just 90 minutes from Knoxville.
Easy enough for beginning paddlers to handle (you can also just tube down it), it is a beautiful 5.5 mile float through undeveloped forest.
You won’t find it too exciting if you are looking for hair-raising adventure (try the nearby Ocoee River for that), but it’s unspoiled natural beauty and lack of crowds, especially mid-week, make it a river I love to raft and kayak on.
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to enjoy a wonderful day on the Hiwassee!
Heads Up: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we may get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you. We don’t accept money in exchange for specific recommendations. Read more about our philosophy.
What We Love About The Hiwassee River
The Hiwassee Is Absolutely Gorgeous
The Hiwassee River flows from North Georgia, through western North Carolina, and into Tennessee, where it joins the Tennessee River near Cleveland, TN.
The 23-mile stretch of the river that flows from the NC/TN border out to U.S. Highway 411 in TN is designated a State Scenic River, meaning development is limited.
If you use one of the commercial outfitters, the river section you will kayak, raft, or tube is in this designated State Scenic River section of the Hiwassee. It means you get mostly just trees as far as you can see and very clear water.
We have seen deer on the banks and ospreys in the trees as well as so many turtles sunning themselves on logs. It also means the river is great for fishing, and you will see lots of people fishing from the banks or from their canoes and kayaks.
It Doesn’t Take A Whole Day To Paddle Down The Hiwassee
You can get down the 5.5 mile long section of river that most people do in 2-3 hours (unless you tube, then it is more like 3-4 hours).
The relatively short time commitment makes it a perfect day trip that doesn’t require you to get up super early and still leaves you plenty of time for dinner afterwards.
Rafting The Hiwassee River Is Easy Enough For Younger Kids
The Upper section of the Hiwassee River has Class I-II rapids (and maybe just barely a Class III if the water is running high), so it is doable for kids 12+ who have never paddled before to attempt in an inflatable kayak. Or, for a family with younger kids to try in a raft.
***Pro Tip- Inflatable kayaks are often called “duckies” or sometimes funyaks.
The rapids are fairly shallow and are interspersed with calm stretches of water where the river gets deeper. So basically you have mostly “kick back and relax” with several exciting but manageable sections of rapids.
If the kids don’t want to go on their own, they can share a two-person inflatable kayak with you. If you have a couple of young kids, rent a 4-6 person raft and all go down together.
It is a fantastic family outing that never ceases to be a winner with our kids. They love having the chance to captain their own boat which gives the Hiwassee a draw over even the far more exciting Ocoee River with its Class IV rapids.
My 10 yr nephew was content to let me paddle most of the time in our double duckie while he kicked back and relaxed. 
Same nephew, now 14, kicking back and relaxing in his own inflatable kayak.
If you are looking to make a whole weekend out of it, check out Where To Stay Near The Hiwassee – Campgrounds And Cabins. It has all of my favorite campgrounds and cabin rentals in the area.
Where Is The Hiwassee River?
The Hiwassee River begins in North Georgia and runs all the way to the Tennessee River near Dayton, TN, passing through NC on its way.
The most popular paddling part of the Hiwassee is near Reliance, TN, just off of HWY 411. It is known as the Upper Section of the Hiwassee.
The best whitewater on the Hiwassee River is in this section because of the Apalachia Powerhouse. When TVA is running generators, they send a lot of water through the powerhouse, meaning more water on the river which means you get rapids, aka the fun part.
Important Info: The Hiwassee is a dam fed river and it is not fun to paddle when TVA is not sending water downstream. You need to know the Dam Release Schedule.
The 2 commercial outfitters for the Hiwassee River (who rent rafts, inflatable kayaks, tubes, life jackets, etc) are located in Reliance, TN. More detailed information on them further on in the blog.
What To Expect When Kayaking, Tubing, Or Rafting The Hiwassee River
The outfitters will take you on a shuttle (aka an old school bus) from Reliance, across the bridge, and up Childers Creek Road to Powerhouse Road. (More details about the 2 outfitters in Reliance below.)
The shuttle lets you off at a small parking area with a boat ramp and vault toilets just downriver from the Apalachia Powerhouse.
This is called Powerhouse Boat Ramp and is where you’ll start your float trip on tube, raft, or kayak to return downriver to the takeout in Reliance.
Hiwassee River Map
From the put in spot at the Powerhouse Boat Ramp, you will be surprised how fast the current is once you get your boat in the water. Make sure the group is all ready to go once people start getting in as it can be difficult to paddle around waiting.
The first section between the Powerhouse Boat Ramp and the Towee Boat Ramp is fairly quiet so you can get used to your boat and admire the clear water that allows you to see the river bed below (this may not happen if there has been a lot of rain because of soil runoff).
As you come around the bend, you will get to your first whitewater. I generally stay river left (meaning to the left as you look downriver) when there are rocks or islands in the middle of the channel. Give big rocks and trees in the river a wide berth too.
Most of the river is small, shoaly stretches of whitewater without big waves. Sometimes, especially when the water is low, the hardest thing is picking your way around the shallowest bits where your boat will get hung up.
This is where having paddle (with a raft or kayak) versus being on a tube is so much better. It is really hard to direct a tube to where you want to go.
One of my favorite rapids is near the big bend to the left just after Towee Boat Ramp (which TBH you probably won’t notice as it’s small and hidden in the trees).
This rapid is creatively called “3′ Dropoff” because, you guessed it, there is a 3 foot ledge that the river flows over. It sounds like a lot but as long as you don’t try to do it sideways, your raft or inflatable kayak will float right over it. Super fun little rapid.
There is another big rapid I like called “Funnel” near the end of the river. Stay river left but then hug the left side of the island and you can hit the little funnel for some good waves. Often there will be whitewater kayakers gathered here to play around in this rapid.
There are a couple of stretches of fairly calm water where it is a good idea to reapply sunscreen, grab a granola bar, or drink some water. Between the rapids of Little Rock Island and Funnel is usually where we take a break.
A single duckie sitting next to 2 two-person duckies at the Powerhouse Boat Ramp 
Looking back on the rapid “3′ Dropoff” 
Where do old school buses go to die? To rafting outfitters.
Plan On 3-4 Hours For Rafting The Hiwassee River
(not including driving time)
The section of river the commercial outfitters use is 5.5 miles long and will take you 2- 3 hours to paddle (tubes will take at least 3 hours because you can’t paddle).
Add on an extra hour or so for all the pre and post float things – like getting registered when you get there, signing a waiver, getting your gear together, and for changing clothes before and after the trip.
Outfitters generally leave on the hour to shuttle you up the river (more often maybe on busy weekends). You can call ahead to confirm times and I would probably reserve a spot on popular weekends – looking at you Labor Day.
Where Do I Rent Rafts, Kayaks, Or Tubes For The Hiwassee River?
There are two outfitters in tee-niny Reliance, TN – Webb Brothers and Hiwassee Outfitters. I have used both over the years and like both of them. Nice people at each one and I have never had a defective boat from either.
Look at both websites and compare prices for what you need- tubes, duckies, rafts, or sit on top kayaks. Prices tend to be pretty similar between the two, but Webb Brothers is usually slightly cheaper.
Keep in mind that Hiwassee Outfitters usually has a higher age requirement for rentals than Webb Brothers if you want your kids to captain their own boat.
Your rental will come with a boat/tube, paddle if needed, and a life jacket. Both outfitters have kid-sized life jackets.
Reservations are a good idea on weekends, especially on holiday weekends like 4th of July, Labor Day, and Memorial Day.
Hiwassee Outfitters
Hiwassee Outfitters is the bigger, a little more fancy operation of the 2 outfitters on the Hiwassee River. It has a large bathhouse with space for changing and showers, a store with T-shirts and snacks, rental cabins, and a campground along the river.
I tend to use Hiwassee Outfitters more often because I like the large bathhouse with space to change clothes, even if the bathhouse is fairly basic (and sometimes can be used for an entomology lesson).
Hiwassee Outfitters rents solo and tandem inflatable kayaks (aka “duckies”), 4-5 person rafts, and tubes. Prices are a couple of dollars higher on weekends than on weekdays usually.
Hiwassee Outfitters uses old school buses as shuttles.
Hiwassee Outfitters requires kids to be at least 12+ to take a solo inflatable kayak and have a 18+ adult on the water with them. Any age kids can be in a tandem kayak or raft with an 18+ adult. Tubers need to be 14+ with an adult on the water with them.
You can reserve and fill out the waiver online with Hiwassee Outfitters, they have a great website.
Webb Brothers
Webb Brothers is definitely the more old school of the two outfitters and some people love that. It has been a general store since 1936 and you will find people coming here with their kids to float down the river because it was an annual trip with their parents and their parents came with their parents, etc.
It is a bit more of a no frills operation but I kinda like the nostalgia vibe.
There are small, single bathrooms underneath the general store and the store itself has a good selection of snacks, drinks, and some souvenirs.
Webb Brothers does have a school bus that they use for a shuttle but they also have their old pick-up with wooden sides where people stand up for the ride up to the put-in spot (you have to hold on to the wooden boards).
Some people love riding in the back of the pick-up, especially if that’s what they rode in when they were kids but I prefer the school bus.
Webb Brothers has single and tandem inflatable kayaks as well as tubes and rafts for rent. They require kids to be at least 10 years old to rent a solo kayak or take a tube. Call the number on the website for reservations.
Can I Bring My Own Boat On The Hiwassee?
Yes, absolutely. Webb Brothers will shuttle you and your boat up to the put-in for a fee, usually $10-20. Hiwassee Outfitters’s website says they no longer do private shuttles but you can always call and see if it’s possible, especially if you are going mid-week and with other people that are renting from them.
The exterior of Webb Brothers with one of their more modern school bus shuttles. 
The old pick- up with wooden sides that Webb Brothers uses as a shuttle can be seen in this picture. 
The take out for Hiwassee Outfitters is just before the railroad bridge in Reliance and the take- out for Webb Brothers is just after the bridge. 
The bath house for Hiwassee Outfitters is the large building on the right 
The interior of the bath house at Hiwassee outfitters. Not fancy but gets the job done. 
The entrance to Hiwassee Outfitters is under the railroad bridge
My Tips For A Successful Float Down The Hiwassee River
1) Go On A Weekday
The river is way less busy on a weekday, and often we have had the shuttle to ourselves. Prices tend to be a little cheaper as well, especially at Hiwassee Outfitters.
Just make sure you check out the water flow rates before you go- more on that below and you can always call the outfitters if you aren’t sure.
2) Know What Not To Do – Don’t Stand Up In Rapids More Than Knee Deep!
The most common mishap on the river is that you might get stuck on a rock in a shallow rapid. In that case, just bounce up and down in your duckie or raft until it floats over the rock or swings around it. This will almost always work even if it takes a while.
Sometimes you will need to move to the front or the back of your boat to get the weight off the rock as well.
You usually only have to get out of your boat when you happen to hit a shoal in water only a few inches deep, otherwise you can usually bounce your way off most rocks or push off with your paddle.
Do Not Try To Stand Up In A Rapid That Is More Than Knee Deep!
The force of the water coming down this river is surprising and can trap your foot under rocks while pushing you over.
While the Hiwassee looks pretty tame, people can and do get themselves in trouble occasionally, usually by trying to stand up in deep rapids and or by trying to go under low hanging branches or partially submerged logs.
Another reason not to get out of your boat is then when you do, it will suddenly pop up and float off the rock you are stuck on and will leave you there in fast moving water. I have seen this happen a few times and it is a loooong swim back to the outfitters.
So to recap – if you are in the middle of a rapid, do not get out, just bounce up and down a bunch, move to the front or the back of your boat, use your paddle to push off, and you will eventually get free. Promise.
I have hit a lot of rocks in this river and have yet to be stuck more than a few minutes and have very rarely had to get out of my boat.
3) Choose The Right Boat For Your Family
Say No To The Tubes On The Hiwassee River
I would stay away from the tubes because even though they look the easiest, the inability to paddle means you can’t really steer and you will hit all the low lying branches, shallow rocks, etc. It can be difficult to keep everyone together as well.
Plus, it can take 4 hours by tube to get down the river if the water is low. No joke, if snails were racing you, they might win versus you on a tube in late August on the Hiwassee if TVA isn’t running a lot of generators. Kids tend to lose their patience.
Go For The Solo Or 2-person Inflatable Kayaks
The inflatable kayaks (aka duckies/ funyaks) are the best for inexperienced paddlers. They are fairly difficult to flip and will float over the rapids on this river without you having to do much of anything besides try to avoid the shallowest water.
Put kids 12 and older in their own duckie if they are decent swimmers and can follow directions. Get a two person duckie if you have kids younger than 12 or if you don’t feel confident about their swimming, their ability to use a paddle, and/ or their listening skills (everyone has that kid in the family right?).
Go For A Raft If You Have A Family With Young Kids
If you have several kids younger than 12 and not enough adults to partner with them, get a raft. You can fit up to 5-6 people in a raft depending on where you rent from.
4) Know Where To Go On The River
The general rule is to stay in the middle of the river most of the time and go river left of all the islands.
That is the directions that the shuttle bus drivers will give you and it has been pretty true all the years I have paddled.
However, the best course could change at anytime as the river is constantly changing. Logs and other debris can choke up channels, especially after rains.
The outfitters will give a brief talk before you get on the shuttle bus and should tell you about current conditions. Ask if they don’t.
American Whitewater has a great description of the river and its rapids. TVA also has nice PDF with things to know and good maps of the river (look for the Upper Hiwassee Map- that is the section for rafters and paddlers.)
5) Look At The Water Levels Of The Hiwassee Before You Get In The Car To Go
The number of generators TVA has going at Apalachia Powerhouse is actually the best indicator of how good the paddling will be. You can find this information here as well as the flow rate (average hourly discharge) of the river.
The best paddling is when TVA is running 2 generators for at least part of the day. That means a lot of water is flowing down the Hiwassee. TVA usually makes a point to do this during the summer for recreational boaters.
You don’t want to go down the river right after they start running 2 generators either, because you can actually out run the water and the river will get very shallow. So if TVA is starting 2 generators at 11am, I wouldn’t hit the water before noon. You can see the recreational release schedule here.
If you are paddling during the shoulder seasons, TVA may only run 1 generator, especially during the week. If the discharge is at least 3,000 cfs (cubic feet per second) per hour, you will probably be okay.
I would look closely at TVA’s website before you go, especially if we haven’t had a lot of rain recently and you are going during the week in late summer.
If TVA is only running 1 generator and the hourly discharge is low, you will probably be dragging your boat over quite a few shallow parts of the river. Unless you know exactly where to go for the deepest sections, it gets un-fun fast.
And definitely don’t tube when the water is low- you end up walking way more than you want as well.
**FYI- TVA diverts the water from Apalachia Dam into a pipe for 8 miles to the Apalachia Powerhouse which is just upstream from the put in spot for paddlers like you. So the flow rates elsewhere on the Hiwassee River aren’t helpful, just the discharge from the powerhouse.
A Few Guidelines To Keep In Mind When Paddling Down The Hiwassee River
Wear A Lifejacket
It doesn’t matter if you are an Olympic swimmer if your kid whacks you in the head with a paddle and you fall out of the boat.
You will want that life jacket. (I have seen this happen twice- children can be little menaces with those paddles. And not on purpose either, just swinging around to say something to the person behind them and forgetting they had a big plastic club in their hand.)
Plus, a life jacket is a requirement (there are rangers patrolling the river occasionally) and it sets a good example for the kiddos — so just do it.
Anyone On The River Should Know How To Swim
This seems like a no-brainer, but I have met people tubing that could not swim and it blew my mind. Even with the life jacket, basic swimming skills are necessary as you might have to steer yourself to shore should you somehow manage to flip your boat.
I have taken little kids on this river but they could swim decently well with a full life jacket (arm floaties will not cut it here). I would not take kids (or anyone) who could not swim and was comfortable in the water.
*** Know the Whitewater Swimmer’s Position*** Although using the whitewater swim position doesn’t come up very much on the Hiwassee because of its easier rapids and generally shallow nature, it is still good to know, especially for smaller kids.
Paddling.com has a nice picture and explanation of the whitewater swim position, also known as defensive swimming or body surfing. If you do fall out of your boat, stick your feet up and float on your back through the rapid until you get to a calmer section of water where you can swim safely back to your boat or to shore.
This works great on rivers like the Hiwassee where small sections of rapids are separated by sections of calmer water. NEVER try to stand up in the middle of a fast-moving rapid. Your foot can get trapped under a rock and the force of the water will push you over.
No Alcohol Is Allowed On The Hiwassee River
Alcohol is not permitted on the Hiwassee River nor or styrofoam coolers or glass bottles. As said before, rangers do occasionally patrol the river on kayak and it is a hefty fine if you are caught violating the rules.
What Do I Need To Bring For Rafting The Hiwassee River?
Some Sunscreen, More Sunscreen, And Also… Sunscreen
Between the reflection off of the water and constant splashing, you will get more sun than you think. When the river widens and slows down a little bit about 1/2 way through, you’ll see everyone finally take notice of how much sun they have gotten so far and dive for their sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is to reapply every hour.
I usually do a very heavy first coat before we load up in the shuttle and then I like the mineral oil sticks that can go on wet for the halfway point on the river.
Hat, Sunglasses, Swim Shirt, Swim Shorts
Because sunny days are beautiful but can leave you with lasting souvenirs of the painful kind, I always wear a swim shirt, baseball hat, and swim shorts. I make the kids wear this too — it helps cut down the amount of time I spend applying sunscreen!
Even with a hat, I also wear sunglasses because you get so much glare off the water that I find myself squinting and then have a headache by the end of the day.
Besides just protecting you from the sun, the swim shirt can also help alleviate rubbing from the life jacket on bare skin as well. If you don’t have a specific swim shirt, I find any synthetic, quick-drying shirt will do.
I also wear swim shorts or synthetic shorts like workout shorts because the rubber seats of the duckie can get very hot in the sun on my tushie.
These are the swim shirts we use – cheap but have worked well for us.
O’Neill Women’s Rashguard on Amazon
O’Neill Youth Rashguard on Amazon
Water Shoes
The Hiwassee has a rocky bottom and you will probably get out of your boat at least once on the river (get off a shallow rock, to pee, or at the very least, at the takeout). You will want water shoes that stay on. Flip flops will be gone seconds after you get in the river, 100% guarantee.
Old tennis shoes can work in a pinch as long as you don’t care that they will get wet and muddy.
Chacos, Tevas, or any water shoe that straps on will work great. I have been wearing my Chaco Classic Z2 sandals for years and they are still going strong. I wear them paddling, hiking, running errands – basically all the time in the summer.
Dry Bag
I paddle quite a bit, so I have lots of equipment including about 10 dry bags of various sizes. I think it’s a great investment and I use them all the time, not just paddling.
Sea to Summit makes good dry bags and are carried by REI as well as Amazon. I have one myself, as well as an Osprey dry sack that I particularly like because you can run its strap around the attachments for the seat on the inflatable kayaks. Those are my favorite dry sacks that I will grab first for any kayaking or rafting trip.
I set aside one small dry bag to be used just for keys, phones, wallets, and anything else super valuable. This bag doesn’t get opened on the river, just clipped in well to the raft or kayak and left there.
I use a second dry bag as a place to stash extra clothing, snacks, sunscreen, etc. This is the bag that you will be continually opening and rummaging thru on a wobbly raft or inflatable kayak, which is why you don’t want your valuables in there too.
Put a couple of Ziplocs inside the dry bag for extra protection for phones. Make sure all dry bags have a carabiner attached so you can clip it to the D-Rings on your inflatable kayak or tube.
Lots Of Snacks And Drinks
Water is a must as paddling is hard work! Bring a large water bottle and stash it in your dry bag or just tuck it in your boat (best hope you don’t flip!). You can buy Gatorade and other sports drinks at the outfitters as well.
I often bring 2 water bottles or a Gatorade + water bottle if I am paddling mid- day in July or August. It gets really hot and sweaty on the river.
For snacks, consider things that will do well in the sun such as trail mix or granola bars not covered in chocolate. Fruit such as apples, raisins, or oranges also work well. Again, chocolate or other melty things do not do well. It’s sunny out there in the water.
Just remember that there are no trash cans on the river so you have to pack it all out. I put a plastic grocery bag in my dry bag specifically for trash.
Please do not throw garbage on the shore, even apple cores. I know they decompose but before they do, they will teach wild animals that human trash is great and they should go look for more of it.
Towel And Change Of Clothes For The Car Ride Home
Even if you don’t fall out of your raft into the water, you will still get wet. Just getting out of your boat at the take-out spot usually means that at least your lower half will be wet at the end.
Little kids tend to get the wettest because they are always sliding around on the bottom of the raft or duckie. Or they are using their paddles to have water wars with their siblings. It makes the car ride home so much better when no one is dripping on each other.
We bring several towels to dry off and even to sit on for the car ride home.
Bug Spray
If it is summer and not a windy day, you can actually get mosquitoes out in the middle of the river during the slow water sections. I know because I am a mosquito magnet.
I always bring a small bottle of bug spray just in case basically everywhere I go. Or if DEET isn’t your thing, then I have also used the essential oil bracelets to decent effect (they work for me in not super buggy places but if there are lots of mosquitoes, then I find I still get bit some with the bracelets.)
My Gear Checklist For A Paddle Trip Down The Hiwassee River
Where To Eat Near Reliance, TN
Your choices are pretty limited in Reliance. You have the stores at both outfitters (Webb Bros and Hiwassee Outfitters) and lots of picnic tables and wonderful scenery so a picnic is your best option.
We usually get an ice cream after our paddle at either one of the outfitters, it’s a tradition.
Back out on Highway 411, there are 2 restaurants to check out – Jessica’s Place and SteelWheel Corner. Both will come up on Google Maps which is also the best place to get information as neither have a website.
Jessica’s Place is a small, family- owned restaurant serving southern food like fried chicken but they also have lots of sandwiches and burgers. SteelWheel Corner has a fun, 50s diner vibe and great burgers and milkshakes.
For something a little different, you can check out Savannah Oaks Winery just off of Delano Road. Have a little wine tasting with cheese from nearby Sweetwater Valley Farms.
Etowah is your nearest town at 15 min away. You will find the usual fast food here- McDonalds, Hardees, Dominos, but also two decent local restaurants- The Farmhouse for good southern cooking and Pepo’s Burrito Bar for a very colorful Tex- Mex experience.
Other Things To Do In The Area Around The Hiwassee River
Fly Fishing
The fishing is fantastic on the Hiwassee, judging from the number of fishermen I see every time I paddle down the river (I am not a fisherman myself). Check out Southeastern Anglers for more information or to book a guided trip.
Take A Train Ride
The Hiwassee Loop Train is run by the Tennessee Valley Railroad and takes a 5 hour, 50 mile train trip along the Hiwassee River leaving from nearby Delano, TN.
These are historic diesels and passenger cars on the route and the tracks are famous for the loop they make as they corkscrew up a mountain. This is one of only 6 of this type of loop in North America (and the only one ever built east of the Mississippi).
It isn’t a cheap outing at $55- $105 for adult fares and $40-$50 for kids, but it is a memorable ride. You can also do a longer train ride called the Copperhill Special that goes all the way to Copperhill, TN/ McCaysville, GA where you can enjoy a 90 minute layover in that cute town that straddles the border.
Where To Stay Near The Hiwassee River
If you want to make a whole weekend of it, then I recommend packing your camping gear or rent a cute cabin tucked away into the woods. Then you can get up the next day and paddle the river again!
Your best choices for where to stay are either a campground or cabin rentals as there aren’t really any hotels in the area.
I go into pretty good detail about all of the campgrounds in the area as well as my favorite cabin rentals in Where To Stay Near The Hiwassee River – Campgrounds And Cabins.
Final Thoughts
The Hiwassee River is one of my favorite rivers in East Tennessee to paddle. While it may seem tame compared to the excitement of the nearby Ocoee River, its scenic beauty will appeal to the adults while the option to captain their own boat will entice the kiddos. It is a fantastic day out for everyone that our family tries to do at least once a year.
Happy Trails- Amanda
We are looking to WW kayak the river last weekend in June, do you need wetsuit or dry top at all for this? Heard water is cold so want to be prepared. Thanks!
To kind of copout on an answer, this will kind of depend on the weather. If it is pretty hot outside, you probably don’t need much. I have kayaked this with a short-sleeve dry top and with just a short sleeve swim shirt. My feet get super cold so I almost always wear wetsuit booties if I am WW kayaking no matter what. The water is cold on the Hiwassee but not as cold as the Nantahala though if you have paddled that river. For comparison, when I paddle the Nantahala, I always wear booties, westsuit/ running tights, and long- sleeved dry top. People jump in and float next to their duckies on the Hiwassee when it gets super hot and the river is running slow. That’s the other reason I usually skip the dry top, when the Hiwassee is running slow, you may have to paddle quite a bit in the slow sections.
I tried to look through my pictures of years past and most people are wearing short or long- sleeve dry tops in spring for sure and short sleeve dry tops or just shirts in summer it looks like. I hope that helps!- Amanda