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Charge 10 miles of classic Tennessee whitewater on the Ocoee, including Olympic-caliber rapids and a riverside catered lunch. This full-day trip runs weekends mid-May through September and is best for travelers in moderate shape.
Charge 10 miles of classic Tennessee whitewater on the Ocoee, including Olympic-caliber rapids and a riverside catered lunch. This full-day trip runs weekends mid-May through September and is best for travelers in moderate shape.
Mist and spray kick at your face as the raft tips into the next drop; the river seems to dare you forward. You start at an outpost above Ocoee Dam No. 3, suit up in a helmet and PFD, and listen as guides lay out commands that will keep you upright through 10 miles of whitewater.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Cherokee Rafting · Copperhill, Tennessee
Mist and spray kick at your face as the raft tips into the next drop; the river seems to dare you forward. You start at an outpost above Ocoee Dam No. 3, suit up in a helmet and PFD, and listen as guides lay out commands that will keep you upright through 10 miles of whitewater.
The Ocoee gorge is carved into ancient sandstone and schist, a working landscape shaped by TVA dams and the same water that hosted the 1996 Olympic slalom course. Railroad grades and old logging roads whisper of the valley’s industrial past; the river now runs on a managed schedule, releasing pulses of current that turn calm pools into roaring class III–IV rapids like Double Suck, Flipper, Diamond Splitter and Hell’s Hole.
Local culture leans on outdoor hospitality—weekend crowds from Chattanooga and Atlanta, outfitters who know every hole and eddy. Conservation here is pragmatic: scheduled releases balance recreation, power generation and aquatic habitat.
Practical guidance: the full river trip runs about five hours and includes a riverside picnic lunch. Expect a bus ride from the outpost to the put-in, hands-on paddling and frequent guide coaching. You should be at least 12 years old and in moderate physical shape; folks with heart, spinal issues or pregnancy are advised not to participate. Bring closed-toe water shoes, quick-dry layers, a light waterproof jacket and sunscreen. Pack a dry bag for phones and a change of clothes for the ride back.
Plan Saturday or Sunday between mid-May and September, arrive early for gear fitting, and be ready to move with the river—its current will push the day forward.
challenging.
5 hours.
Moderate level of fitness; able to paddle, brace and follow guide commands for extended stretches
Participants must be at least 12 years old to raft the full Ocoee River trip.
The combo full-river trip is about five hours and includes transportation from the outpost, all safety gear, a guide and a riverside picnic lunch.
You don’t have to be an expert swimmer, but you should be comfortable in moving water and able to follow guide instructions; PFDs are worn at all times.
For a full refund cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure; trips can be canceled for bad weather or low participation.
The Ocoee corridor was reshaped by early 20th-century logging and TVA dam projects; the middle Ocoee later hosted the 1996 Olympic slalom events.
River releases are managed for recreation and habitat health; follow Leave No Trace, and stay only in designated put-in and pull-out areas to protect riparian zones.
Cherokee Rafting operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Mist and spray kick at your face as the raft tips into the next drop; the river seems to dare you forward. You start at an outpost above Ocoee Dam No. 3, suit up in a helmet and PFD, and listen as guides lay out commands that will keep you upright through 10 miles of whitewater.
Mist and spray kick at your face as the raft tips into the next drop; the river seems to dare you forward. You start at an outpost above Ocoee Dam No. 3, suit up in a helmet and PFD, and listen as guides lay out commands that will keep you upright through 10 miles of whitewater.
The Ocoee gorge is carved into ancient sandstone and schist, a working landscape shaped by TVA dams and the same water that hosted the 1996 Olympic slalom course. Railroad grades and old logging roads whisper of the valley’s industrial past; the river now runs on a managed schedule, releasing pulses of current that turn calm pools into roaring class III–IV rapids like Double Suck, Flipper, Diamond Splitter and Hell’s Hole.
Local culture leans on outdoor hospitality—weekend crowds from Chattanooga and Atlanta, outfitters who know every hole and eddy. Conservation here is pragmatic: scheduled releases balance recreation, power generation and aquatic habitat.
Practical guidance: the full river trip runs about five hours and includes a riverside picnic lunch. Expect a bus ride from the outpost to the put-in, hands-on paddling and frequent guide coaching. You should be at least 12 years old and in moderate physical shape; folks with heart, spinal issues or pregnancy are advised not to participate. Bring closed-toe water shoes, quick-dry layers, a light waterproof jacket and sunscreen. Pack a dry bag for phones and a change of clothes for the ride back.
Plan Saturday or Sunday between mid-May and September, arrive early for gear fitting, and be ready to move with the river—its current will push the day forward.