Ocoee River State Park

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Tennessee — Home of the 1996 Olympic whitewater slalom events — the only Olympics venue ever built in the Southeast! The Ocoee River offers Class III-IV rapids through the Cherokee National Forest. Over 250,000 rafters run the river annually.

Visitor Information

About Ocoee River

Ocoee River State Park in Polk County encompasses the famous Ocoee River — site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events in Atlanta. The Ocoee is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in America, attracting over 250,000 rafters annually. The river crashes through a narrow gorge in the Cherokee National Forest with continuous Class III-IV rapids over a 5-mile stretch.

Things to Do

Whitewater rafting (Class III-IV — guided trips available for beginners), kayaking, viewing the 1996 Olympic course, hiking the Ocoee River Trail, mountain biking on the Tanasi Trail System, and fishing. One of the premier whitewater destinations in eastern America.

About Ocoee River

Ocoee River State Park in Polk County provides access to the Ocoee River — site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater canoe/kayak events and one of the premier whitewater rivers in the southeastern United States. The river drops 45 feet per mile through a narrow gorge, creating continuous Class III-IV rapids. The Olympic venue, built for the Atlanta Games, remains one of the only Olympic whitewater courses still in active public use.

Things to Do

Whitewater rafting (guided trips on the Middle and Upper Ocoee), kayaking the Olympic course, fishing, hiking the nearby Ocoee River gorge trails, and paddling the same rapids that Olympic athletes raced.

Insider Tips

Olympic whitewater: The Ocoee River hosted the 1996 Atlanta Olympics whitewater events — the only Olympic venue in Tennessee. Pro tip: The Ocoee offers some of the best commercially guided whitewater rafting in the eastern US — Class III-IV rapids through a forested gorge. TVA release: The rapids depend on TVA dam releases — no release means no whitewater. Check the release schedule before visiting.

Best Time to Visit

Summer: Peak rafting season with scheduled releases. Fall: Foliage plus rafting — spectacular. Spring: Higher water — more intense rapids. Check schedule: Whitewater depends on TVA dam releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can beginners raft the Ocoee?

The Middle Ocoee is the most popular section — Class III-IV rapids that are exciting but manageable for first-timers with a commercial guide. The Upper Ocoee (the Olympic course) is more intense — Class IV rapids requiring experience. Minimum age is usually 12. Several outfitters run guided trips from spring through fall.