WOR 2026 Guide

Date: June 27 through July 5 2026

Location: Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground

Note: Recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene (Fall 2024) continue. Some of our favorite WOR destinations were greatly affected and continue to be.  In a nutshell, that includes everything east of Sylva/Dillsboro.  (French Broad, Green, Nolichucky, Pigeon, Toe and Wilson Creek and their tributaries.) As of June 1, 2026, French Broad and Pigeon are open to commercial and private paddler traffic. Debris, particularly plastic piping, continues to be collected from the French Broad.  Nolichucky  railroad reconstruction is completed. Poplar access is under construction. We will discuss more at the First Timers Sessions and morning meetings.

Week of Rivers is a little early this year, as July 4 falls on the second Saturday. We are headquartered, once again at Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground. You do not have to stay there to participate, but logistically, it is the most practical choice. Day passes will be available for purchase. Morning meetings start promptly at 8:30 am.  A full schedule of events is posted on social media. (Subject to change)

Weather – It has been an incredibly dry spring in Western NC and we are currently experiencing drought conditions. Fontana Lake is expected to crest 15 feet below normal summer pool. That said, fortunately we have access to many dam controlled rivers with regular releases. We will have water. We may have rain so that some natural flow rivers become available.

Check here for Helene Rivers updates.