Ray,
My suggestion…
The Nantahalla outdoor center/river near Bryson City, NC is a good place to make your base camp..The river is a class II-III+. Lot’s of lakes in the area too. Some free drive up spots in the area (although these fill up quick once rafting season kicks up)and a few pay campgrounds. The AT and Bartram trails intersect in this area so there are more free/primitive campsites to be found in the as well (you may have to hike your stuff in a little for the night). The trails @ Tsali are only about 15 minutes from the NOC. You’ve also got JackRabbit, Tanasi, Fontana Dam and bent creek mtb trails all within an hours driving distance.
-Trent