Places to stay near attractions in Ocoee River

The Ocoee River corridor in Polk County, Tennessee follows the U.S. 64 Ocoee Scenic Byway between the Tennessee–Georgia state line at Copperhill and the town of Ocoee, cutting through the Cherokee National Forest along one of the most concentrated whitewater rivers in the Southeast. The river's Middle and Upper sections hosted the 1996 Atlanta Olympic whitewater events at the Ocoee Whitewater Center — the first natural-river Olympic venue — and the site is still the training and race base for U.S. paddlers.

Commercial rafting outfitters run daily trips through Class III–IV rapids like Grumpy's, Broken Nose, Table Saw, Diamond Splitter, and Hell Hole. When TVA is releasing water above the Upper (typically Thursday–Sunday in season), you get one of the best 5-mile whitewater runs in the eastern U.S. When the Middle is running, the 5-mile stretch is the busiest commercial rafting section in the country.

Beyond rafting, the corridor packs Chilhowee Recreation Area, Benton Falls, the Ocoee Flume, Hiwassee Scenic River tubing, and the Cherohala Skyway trailhead at Tellico Plains. It's a natural add-on to a Blue Ridge, GA cabin stay just 25 miles away.