NC Outdoor Adventures
NC Outdoor Adventures
5
Canyoning & Rappelling ToursClimbing ToursHiking & Camping ToursKayaking & Canoeing
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Thrifty Adventures has re-branded to NC Outdoor Adventures. Based out of the Blue Ridge mountains in Western North Carolina, NCOA offers over 21 different trips including tubing, rafting, whitewater kayak instruction, climbing, rappelling, waterfall rappelling, hiking and lodging. This diversity in trip offerings makes our family-owned company the perfect choice for many families, couples, adventurers, and scouting groups. Outside of these daily trips, NC Outdoor Adventures also has a strong climbing education program, youth and Veteran programs.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
150 reviews
Excellent
130
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
5
Colin
Wilmington, NC19 contributions
Jul 2020
Outstanding home-style service in a perfect Appalachian setting. I could not be more impressed with the communication, correspondence and delivery by the folks at NC Outdoor Adventures.
Our host Scott went over the top to make sure that we were accommodated on a one and a half hour float trip. The equipment is nice, new tubes, and inflatable kayaks. They are conveniently located right along the Toe River so we could walk the tubes down and start right away.
If you were looking for the industrialized 'get as many people on a raft as you can' operators this might not be your spot. But if you are looking for a down home, attention to detail, know your name type personalized experience, look no further.
Our host Scott went over the top to make sure that we were accommodated on a one and a half hour float trip. The equipment is nice, new tubes, and inflatable kayaks. They are conveniently located right along the Toe River so we could walk the tubes down and start right away.
If you were looking for the industrialized 'get as many people on a raft as you can' operators this might not be your spot. But if you are looking for a down home, attention to detail, know your name type personalized experience, look no further.
Written July 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you enjoyed your trip and our service. We try to treat everyone like family and we are glad it shows. We do not want to be the service that is about numbers we are about quality and we are glad that was noticed! Hope to see you again soon.
Written July 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
964suzanned
Winston Salem, NC17 contributions
Jul 2020
My friend and I paddled the white water adventure down the Toe River with guide, Will. We were the only guests, as most people were tubing at a different location. We saw ospreys and bald eaglets. the paddle was fun, exciting but not terrifying. The equipment was excellent. Will was an excellent, attentive guide. there is an extra charge of $80 if only 2 paddlers sign up. We thought it was well worth the unique experience.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will is a great guide. We are glad you enjoyed your private whitewater trip. We hope to see you on other adventures with us soon.
Written July 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan H
Chapel Hill, NC15 contributions
Jul 2020
The owner runs the business out of his house and is working on building a dedicated structure on his property for the business. While the operation lacks the cosmetic appeal of a more established business, the owner is very personable and knowledgeable. My family (wife and 3 kids) did the 3 hr float tubing adventure in July. We enjoyed the float trip and felt comfortable and safe with the tour operator. We did have to do a bit more hand paddling than expected to try and stay in the main river current, but all in all it was a nice, relaxing day.
Written July 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am happy you enjoyed the service and your paddle trip. If you want a trip with less paddling I would recommend you book a trip in early spring when water levels are higher. When we enter summer water levels go down a bit and this is a free flowing river so no dam releases to increase flow. As for the lack of curb appeal. We were in the process of finishing both the outhouse and the Yurt style outpost when COVID hit. Not only did we end up refunding 90% of spring trips we also did not know if we would be able to open, taxes were due and so was our business insurance. For those reasons we could not invest the 3k$ to finish the projects and had to stick with the canopy tent offices for the season, the last thing we wanted to do was run out of our home. The canopy tents are also a safer solution with the covid situation with an open air situation instead of a closed in space. Next year you can expect a really unique outpost and outhouse with changing room tents. Please note not having an office is a first for us in 10 years of business. Our offices have been some pretty amazing places with million dollar views including an office at the Skyline Village Inn in Little Switzerland and last season the office was in the restored Root cellar tiny house that is now a lodging option for airbnb.
Written July 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
butterfly343432
Georgia80 contributions
Jul 2020
This section of the Toe River Gorge was beautiful. The splashy rapids were a blast! Not many homes on this section so it's really scenic. The owners were very nice. I do have a few suggestions in hopes not to offend them. Since the outpost is their house, and the bathroom is on an old spring water system we were told to only flush the toilet if there were "solids". So, maybe just keep a couple porta johns instead. Another small issue we had is we picked up several screws, sharp metal pieces, other "tire popping" pieces in the gravel parking lot. Running a magnet around that parking lot sure would help! I think our biggest "negative" was the guide in the rear constantly tell us to paddle faster. To us, it's not safe being 5 feet from the next person on the river, especially during COVID-19 issues. Not to mention they were beginners and kept getting hung up on rocks. We don't like playing bumper boats on the water. So that did get pretty annoying being told to stay closer to folks. We've rented through many outfitters and have never had this constantly said to us. The last "negative" was the take out. It's a steep MUDDY bank. Half of the group kept slipping and falling back into the river while trying to get out. Not sure what could be done to help that. Overall, a beautiful float and worth it if some small changes could be made.
Written July 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. I hate to see so many negatives. First and foremost I would like to know who your guide was, feel free to call me (828) 260-4505. This very much surprises me and is NOT how we run trips and it is certainly not the experience we want guests to have. That said sometimes groups can be split between folks with some paddle experience and some with zero experience or those that lack the endurance to paddle the entire duration of the trip. This can prove a bit challenging from a guides perspective. That said being rushed down the river or kept close to one another is the opposite of what we teach as spacing on the water is important especially in rapid sections.The bank at the end of this trip needs some work but this is not our land. Both sides of the Toe are owned by private land owners and while we have special permissions to use them for our business we try not to impose to much on the owners we simply clean the spots and try to work on erosion issues. That spot is steep. As for the suggestions for the parking lot....we will run a magnet around and pick up the debris mentioned.....it is from a vehicle fire (we do this a couple times a year). As for the bathroom situation and outpost. We were in the process of finishing both the outhouse and the Yurt style outpost when COVID hit. Not only did we end up refunding 90% of spring trips we also did not know if we would be able to open. For that reason we could not invest the 3k$ to finish the projects and had to stick with the canopy tent offices for the season. Next year you can expect a really unique outpost and outhouse with changing room tents.
Written July 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Valerie D
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States383 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We actually own kayaks but were not familiar with that area so we decided to rent tubes. We had met Christy a few years ago in little Switzerland, we were across from there place and she asked if she could help us and recommended a place for lunch and I started following them on Facebook. I learned about the spider lillies (did that on our own thanks for that!) And I really wanted to do the whitewater kayak or tubing but we have someone in our group of4 that worries so I try and plan nothing more than a class 2.
This was the other couples first time tubing and they loved it! The literally got in the tubes with help from the shuttle driver, tethered themselves and they literally did nothing else and beat us down the river.
Anyway, we had a great day! We were able to be out longer since we all agreed to go to takeout 4 and the water level was up and faster.
Yes it is run out of there place but it's a neat place to have to wait. Chickens (video of scott putting the chickens to bed was great!), a dog, Bob the cat, a disc basket (get some discs!). It's a pretty setting.
The van brought back memories from our childhood. Also the shuttle drivers were talking the whole time explaining what we were driving past. Definitely a family style business.
I hope we can come back to whitewater tube or kayak.
This was the other couples first time tubing and they loved it! The literally got in the tubes with help from the shuttle driver, tethered themselves and they literally did nothing else and beat us down the river.
Anyway, we had a great day! We were able to be out longer since we all agreed to go to takeout 4 and the water level was up and faster.
Yes it is run out of there place but it's a neat place to have to wait. Chickens (video of scott putting the chickens to bed was great!), a dog, Bob the cat, a disc basket (get some discs!). It's a pretty setting.
The van brought back memories from our childhood. Also the shuttle drivers were talking the whole time explaining what we were driving past. Definitely a family style business.
I hope we can come back to whitewater tube or kayak.
Written August 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I love this review. We try and help folks as much as we can getting in and out of the river. We hope the outpost will be up next year pending ant Pandemic set backs:) Glad you liked the outpost it's critters and yes we will get some discs asap:) hope to see you on another adventure soon!!
Written August 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alison S
1 contribution
Oct 2020
My partner and I had an excellent time learning outdoor climbing skills with NCOA. Our guides, Scott and Michael, were thorough and patient teachers who clearly knew their stuff and were fun to spend the day with. They went the extra mile to help us gain the skills we needed and stay safe while climbing outside. Would highly recommend them to anyone who's trying to learn something new and/or make the transition from gym to outdoor climbing. Thanks again NCOA :)
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William Marhold
Carolina Beach, NC5 contributions
Jul 2020
I went tubing on the tubing Toe River with 50 fellow campers. Even with the immense amount of people, Scott and his staff made it work. They made sure that we had an amazing time. Before we went tubing we had to do a Camp Race. During that time it started pouring rain and everyone was expecting for their belongings to get destroyed. Oh were we wrong, as we were running back to the parking lot to check on our stuff we noticed that they threw a tarp over it so it could stay out of the rain. If that doesn't say enough about their customer service and character then I don't know what will. Thank you NC Outdoor Adventures for helping us have the time of our lives. 10/10.
Written July 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you enjoyed your trip. Those pop up storms can catch some off guard and we are glad we were able to cover your stuff. The hound is always a treat! He loved running with your group.
Written July 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah M
15 contributions
Aug 2020
Three women friends and I—all of us in our late 60s—tubed a fairly flat stretch of the Toe with this Bakersville outfitter today and had a terrific time. The tubes were big and comfortable, and we took advantage of the option to rent an additional one with a bottom, so we could take lunch with us in a cooler. Mitchell and Jeremiah handled our shuttles to and from the river, and were helpful and pleasant company, as was Scott, who explained the trip. The river is lovely. We’d do this trip again.
A word about COVID-19 precautions: The outfitter has clear information online about the precautions they’re taking. Everyone must wear a mask on the shuttles, and the outfitter provided them to one couple who arrived without masks. They limit shuttle passengers to 7—half the vans’ capacity.
A word about COVID-19 precautions: The outfitter has clear information online about the precautions they’re taking. Everyone must wear a mask on the shuttles, and the outfitter provided them to one couple who arrived without masks. They limit shuttle passengers to 7—half the vans’ capacity.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are glad you enjoyed your time with us. We pride ourselves on providing safe and fun experiences for folks of all ages!!! COVID has created some additional concerns and with it the development of new policies and procedures to keep everyone protected. We are happy it was noticed. Hope to see you on another adventure trip soon.
Written August 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kayleepowers
Charlotte, NC1 contribution
May 2021
My partner and I did this as a double date with our friends! It was so much fun, and really a once in a lifetime experience. The guides were helpful without being overbearing. It was a little more strenuous than we expected due to low water flow, but nothing unmanageable. Definitely wear shoes that can get wet and have good grip! The flowers were absolutely beautiful and this was such a unique way to get up close and get a perspective that normally wouldn’t be available.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shawn G
1 contribution
Apr 2021
My wife and I enjoyed our kayak paddle on the Toe River this afternoon. Our guide, Will was very friendly and knowledgeable. We did not take the plunge because the water was still very cold, but a swim in the river about mid-summer would be fun. A great way to spend a few hours in the Carolina highlands. I would recommend a full-day trip which combines repelling and kayaking.
Written April 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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