Raft The Ocoee: The dam-released whitewater of the Ocoee River offers southeastern whitewater enthusiasts the opportunity to sample reliable whitewater even during the hottest and driest summer months. Middle Ocoee’s numerous rapids and river formations offer a wealth of currents and surf for creative and skilled paddlers. Boaters often launch from the put-in at the base of the dam, which offers a powerful display of the whitewater that is soon to follow. Nearly immediately paddlers encounter the first major rapid on the Ocoee, known as Grumpy. Grumpy is a long and pushy Class III that puts rafters straight into the action without even the slightest warm up. The nearly relentless Class III whitewater of the Ocoee is sure to keep paddlers smiling and having fun, even as the current then slows before rafters drop into the rapid known as Staging Eddy. Other rapids such as Broken Nose – a benchmark Class III+ rapid that cannot be seen from the road – the Class II-III, Double Trouble, Flipper, the Doldrums and Surprise Ledge await paddlers. Without a doubt, the Ocoee River is one of the premier whitewater rafting rivers in the entire U.S. and its close proximity to western North Carolina make it a must-do whitewater adventure for all who seek the thrill of adventure that comes with whitewater paddling.
Directions from Asheville: Merge onto I-240 W/US-70 W. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-240 W/I-26 E, follow signs for Interstate 240 W/Interstate 26 E/Interstate 40. Take exit 31B to merge onto I-40 W towardCanton/Knoxville. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 27 for US-74 towardUS-19/US-23 Clyde, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Franklin, Murphy, Atlanta. Continue onto US-74 W. Use the left lane to merge onto TN-68 S. Merge onto TN-68 S. Turn right onto Grassy Creek Rd
