BENTON RAFTING FIELD GUIDE
Run the Olympic Rapids: Upper Ocoee’s Humongous and Godzilla
A concise field guide to Outdoor Adventure Rafting’s Upper Ocoee run — Olympic‑section whitewater (class III–IV), practical logistics, and what to pack for ages 12 and up.
Run the Olympic Rapids: Upper Ocoee’s Humongous and Godzilla.
The Upper Ocoee drops from mellow class II warmups into the infamous Olympic Section, where class III and IV water funnels into two of the river’s signature chasms — Humongous and Godzilla — with a spectator walkway mere feet from the action. Outdoor Adventure Rafting outfits participants with gear, instruction and river transport for a roughly 3½‑to‑4‑hour outing, making this a tightly run, high-adrenaline stretch of whitewater for anyone 12 and older.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Olympic‑Section Power: Humongous and Godzilla
The run builds from class II warmups into the Olympic Section — the same engineered whitewater used in the 1996 Games — featuring two of the river’s largest rapids, Humongous and Godzilla.
Close‑in Viewing: Walkway at the Biggest Drops
A riverside walkway places spectators just feet from the biggest rapids, turning key drops into a shared spectacle for paddlers and onlookers.
Guides, Gear and Shuttle Included
Outdoor Adventure Rafting supplies the equipment, instruction and to‑and‑from river transportation so you can focus on the river and the run.
What the day feels like
What the Run Feels Like
You start with manageable class II water that steadily escalates into sustained class III and IV rapids; under experienced guides you punch into the Olympic Section and negotiate powerful, constricted waves and holes that have earned names like Humongous and Godzilla — the sort of whitewater built for spectators as much as for paddlers.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this run is built for — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Water shoes or closed‑toe shoes with heel strap, clothes that can get wet, sunscreen, sunglasses with retainer, water, a GoPro lanyard/strap, dry clothes and towel, plus an enthusiastic attitude.
Avoid dry bags and anything you don’t want to lose; leave extra items in your locked car — store staff can hold keys while you’re on the water.
The operator provides all equipment, instruction and to‑and‑from river transportation; travel time to and from the outpost is included in the trip time.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long does the trip take?
The outing is listed as approximately 3½ to 4 hours start to finish, with travel time to and from the outpost included.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 12 years old to run the Upper Ocoee with this operator.
What difficulty are the rapids?
The Upper Ocoee Olympic Section contains class III and IV rapids, including large named drops such as Humongous and Godzilla.
Is equipment provided?
Yes — Outdoor Adventure Rafting provides all necessary equipment and instruction as part of the trip.
Where do we meet?
Participants meet at 629 Welcome Valley Road, Benton, TN 37307.
Can spectators watch the biggest rapids?
Yes — the Olympic Section includes a walkway that places spectators feet from the action so friends and family can watch the major drops.