Ocoee River Corridor
Plan Your Trip
Discover the Ocoee River Corridor
Plan Your Ocoee River Rafting Trip
Are you ready to catch our drift and make it yours? The Ocoee River is famous as the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Kayak and Canoe Slalom events. It is also the only natural river Olympic course in the world! Come experience why the friendly, rollercoaster Ocoee River is known as America’s favorite whitewater. The river has two sections – Olympic Upper and Middle, both packed with Class III-IV rapids. No prior rafting experience is needed, and both sections are fully-guided adventures. The Ocoee River is open for rafting all summer long, and weekends in the spring and fall. See the Ocoee River release schedules.
There are plenty of other activities besides rafting! The Ocoee River Corridor is located at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and deep in the Cherokee National Forest. Biking and hiking trails, world-class fly fishing on area rivers and streams, lake recreation, campgrounds, and leisurely float trips for ages 3+ are also available to first time travelers and avid outdoor enthusiasts. This remarkable area entices visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty, varied adventure experiences, and welcome affordability. Note that Ocoee River rafting never runs on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, so these are perfect days to plan to do other activities in the area.
Want more planning resources? Explore our Ocoee River Corridor Partners.
Catch Our Drift... And Make It Yours on the Ocoee River!
Quick Facts
- Minimum Age 12
- Fully-Guided Trips
- Thrilling Fun on Class III-IV Rapids
- Raft the Upper Ocoee 1996 Olympic whitewater course
- Middle Ocoee: Open Thursday-Monday from June-August & Weekends from March-May & September-October
- Upper Ocoee – Open Weekends from May to Labor Day
- Perfect for Groups, Families, & Friends
Where is the Ocoee River Corridor?
Outdoor Recreation Hub of Southeastern TN
The Ocoee River flows southeast to northwest from Copperhill, TN, to Benton, TN, and then merges into the Hiwassee River. It’s an easy half-day drive or less from these southeastern metro areas: Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Asheville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. The Ocoee River Corridor is an exceptional outdoor recreation area including the Ocoee River, Cherokee National Forest, Hiwassee River, and Chilhowee Recreation Area. Authentic, small Tennessee towns like Ducktown, Benton, Ocoee, Cleveland, Reliance, and Copperhill – and Copperhill’s sister town McCaysville in Georgia – offer visitors a welcome slower pace and time for deep connections.
Distances
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Atlanta, GA
2 hrs - 115 miles -
Knoxville, TN
2 hrs - 80 miles -
Chattanooga, TN
1 hr - 45 miles -
Asheville, NC
2.5 hrs - 170 miles -
Nashville, TN
3.2 hrs - 175 miles -
Birmingham, AL
3.5 hrs - 190 miles
Top 10 Reasons to Choose an Ocoee Adventure Getaway
- Thrilling whitewater rafting day trips on the Ocoee River
- 600+ miles of scenic hiking trails in Cherokee National Forest
- Fantastic Tanasi Trail System for biking at the Ocoee River
- World-class fishing in the Ocoee/Hiwassee watershed
- Paddle, cruise, & swim on Parksville (Ocoee) Lake
- Leisurely float trips and tubing on the Toccoa, Hiwassee, & Lower Ocoee Rivers
- Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park
- Riverside & lake campgrounds
- Affordable destination for the whole family
- Experience the only Olympic course on a natural river in the world!
Sample Ocoee River Getaways
Find inspiration and insider tips for where to go and what to do in our all new sample itineraries. Plan your adventure with confidence today! Choose from 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Getaways.
Stay and Recharge: Unique Ocoee Options
Places To Stay
