Ocoee 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 III-IV
Driving time from Atlanta
1.5 Hours from I-75 & I-575 junction.
Directions
Follow I-75N to I-575N (which becomes 5/515). Turn left on Hwy 5 in Blue Ridge. Follow Hwy 5 to Hwy 60 (there will be a stoplight) and turn left. Follow Hwy 60 to the Hwy 64 exit and travel west on Hwy 64.
Put-in
The put-in is located on your left on Hwy 64.
Take-out
There are numerous areas to take out along the river, however, these are discouraged. The raft take out is available to the public, but parking is limited. The Tennessee Parks Department built a newer take-out about a mile below the raft take-out. This is recommended and is much less crowded.
Meeting Places
Meet at the put-in or the take-out.
Lodging / Eating Recommendations
Pink Pig BBQ, 45 min toward Atlanta
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.
Medical Facility & Resources
Copperhill Hospital
Ocoee Regional Information Center 800-626-3396
Polk County Chamber of Commerce 800-633-7655
Ocoee Ranger District (USFS) 423-338-5201
Ocoee Whitewater Center 423-496-5197
Ocoee/Hiwassee State Recreation Area 423-338-4133
Water Temperatures
This is a dam released river and is medium cold.
River Levels
Please submit information
Gauge Information & Release Schedule
This is a dam controlled river, and the normal release level is 1250 cubic feet per second.
Here's a link to the actual schedule.
Typical Release Schedule:
Month
Days Released
Hours Released
March
Last 2 weekends
9am - 5pm
Apr-May
Weekends only
9am - 5pm
Jun-Aug
Weekdays
10am - 4pm
Jun-Aug
Weekends
9am - 7pm
Sept
Weekends
9am - 5pm
Oct
Weekdays (1st 2 weeks only)
10am - 4pm
Oct
Weekends (1st 2 weekends only)
9am - 5pm
Nov
1st Weekend only
9am - 5pm
Comments
Very crowded at times. Considered to be a good first time class III/IV run for those whose skills are ready. Good river to practice on for bigger runs.