Ride the Ocoee: Olympic whitewater 45 minutes from Chattanooga

The Ocoee River hosted the 1996 Olympic whitewater events, and it’s about 45 minutes east of Chattanooga. If you want the biggest adrenaline day trip in the area, this is it.

The river

The Ocoee runs Class III and IV rapids — big, continuous whitewater, not a lazy float. The famous “Olympic” section has the drops they built for the games. Trips run with licensed outfitters (there are a bunch along US-64 in the Ocoee gorge), and you go with a guide in the raft. No experience needed, but you should be comfortable getting wet and paddling hard.

What it costs and how to do it right

Full-day trips run roughly $100+ per person depending on the outfitter and the section — book directly with an outfitter online ahead of time, especially for summer Saturdays. The river runs on dam releases, mostly weekends in season (roughly May through September), so check the schedule before you drive out. Bring a swimsuit, river shoes, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Minimum age is usually 12 for the full river.

Local tips

• It’s about an hour from downtown Chattanooga via US-64 — gorgeous drive through the gorge.
• Morning trips have smaller crowds and calmer weather.
• There’s a calmer middle section if the full run sounds like too much — ask the outfitter.
• Dry bags for your phone, or just leave it in the car. You’ll thank yourself.