Hiwassee River (Southeastern Tennessee)
Skill Level Driving Time Directions
Put-In Take-Out Meeting Places
Recommendations Medical Facility Water Temps
River Levels Gauge Info Comments
Skill Level
Class II
Driving time from Atlanta
2 Hours from I-75 & I-575 junction.
Directions
Option One: Follow I-75N to I-575N (which becomes 5/515) to Blue Ridge. Turn left on Hwy 5 in Blue Ridge take to McCaysville. Follow Hwy 5 through McCaysville to Hwy 64 junction in Ducktown. Turn left at the stop sign in Ducktown, and follow past the Ocoee River. Look for Hwy 315 (first paved right after the Ocoee takeout). Turn right on Hwy 315 (windy mountain road). Go approximately 10 miles to the stop sign at Reliance, TN. Hiwassee outfitters 800-338-8133 on the right. Turn left & then right over bridge. Turn right at end of bridge, and then first paved road on right. Continue to veer right and go upstream.
Option Two: I-75N turn to 411N. Take 411N into Tennessee, make a right on Hwy 64. Pass Ocoee Lake. Turn Left on Hwy 315 (windy mountain road). Go approximately 10 miles to the stop sign at Reliance, TN. Hiwassee outfitters on the right. Turn left & then right over bridge. Turn right at end of bridge, and then first paved road on right. Continue to veer right and go upstream.
Put-in
From Hwy 315 & 64 junction, Go approximately 10 miles to the stop sign at Reliance, TN. Hiwassee Outfitters on the right. Turn left & then right over bridge. Turn right at end of bridge, and then first paved road on right. Continue to veer right and go upstream. Parking fee of $3.00, or Hiwassee Outfitters will arrange shuttle from their facility for $10 / person in the winter, or $5.00 / person in the summer.
Take-out
Parking lot & ramp right old railroad bridge next to Hiwassee Outfitters.
Meeting Places
Meet at Hiwassee Outfitters, or at take-out for Ocoee River
Lodging / Eating Recommendations
Hiwassee Outfitters has upgraded their facilities in the last couple of years and now has a full store/restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available. So, if folks forget to grab a bit on the way up, they can stop at the outfitters and grab a snack. The store has almost everything anybody needs to enjoy their trip on the river.
If driving to Atlanta by the Ocoee:
Pink Pig BBQ, 45 min toward Atlanta from the Ocoee
Pat's Kitchen, MCaysville Ga (on south of town) 'all you can eat'
Mill Forge Crossing, Blue Ridge Ga (take Ga 60 rather than Ga 5 from Copperhill at US 76 turn left to bottom of hill turn right at "White Board Fence" left at end of fence there are shops and one Great Resturant. Splurge Enjoy.
If Driving to Atlanta by US 411 there is a Resturant in Chatsworth on the South on the 4 layne Highway at the top of a hill named Emma's it has great vegetables.
Medical Facility
CLEVELAND TN. 20 miles BRADLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Etowah, Tn. 20 miles WOODS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Water Temperatures
This is a dam released river and is fairly cold all year round. Summer averages 60 degrees, Winter averages 40 degrees.
River Levels
Please submit information
Gauge Information
Please submit information
Comments
Good trained beginner river and dependable water levels in the summer due to dam releases..