Ocoee River Rafting: Trips, Costs & What to Know
The Ocoee River in southeastern Tennessee is one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the eastern US. It hosted the 1996 Olympic whitewater slalom events — the first time the Olympics ran whitewater on a natural river (though the course was significantly modified with placed rock features). Whitewatr lists 31 outfitters running Ocoee trips, with prices starting around $47 on average. Always confirm current pricing directly with the outfitter.
Why the Ocoee
The Ocoee is dam-controlled, which means consistent, predictable water levels all season long — no guessing about rainfall or snowmelt. TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) schedules water releases that guarantee rafting conditions on published dates. It's the biggest commercial rafting market in the Southeast, drawing hundreds of thousands of rafters annually from Atlanta, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville — all within a 2-3 hour drive.
Middle Ocoee vs. Upper Ocoee
Middle Ocoee (Class III-IV)
5 miles — the standard commercial run
The Middle Ocoee is where most people raft. It's a continuous, fast-paced 5-mile run with over 20 named rapids, including Grumpy's, Broken Nose, Double Suck, and Tablesaw. Class III-IV whitewater that's exciting enough for repeat visitors but manageable for athletic first-timers. Trips run about 1.5-2 hours on the water.
Class: III-IV
Typical age minimum: 12
Trip length: Half-day (1.5-2 hours on water)
Season: Late March through October (scheduled releases)
Best for: First-timers with some nerve, groups, bachelor/bachelorette parties
Upper Ocoee (Class III-IV)
5 miles — the Olympic course
The Upper Ocoee is where the 1996 Olympics were held. It's a separate run from the Middle, with purpose-built features from the Olympic course still in place. The Upper is slightly more technical and has a different character — more pool-drop rapids versus the Middle's continuous whitewater. Availability is more limited because TVA releases water on fewer dates.
Class: III-IV
Typical age minimum: 12
Trip length: Half-day (1.5-2 hours on water)
Season: Weekends and select weekdays, typically May through Labor Day
Best for: Repeat visitors who've done the Middle, Olympic course bragging rights
Combo Trips: Middle + Upper
Several outfitters offer combo trips that run the Middle and Upper Ocoee back-to-back in a single day. This is the full Ocoee experience — roughly 10 miles of continuous Class III-IV whitewater. Expect a full day (including lunch break between sections) and higher pricing. These are popular with groups and experienced rafters.
Pricing
Middle Ocoee: $30-$60 per person for a half-day trip.
Upper Ocoee: $40-$80 per person (limited availability adds a premium).
Middle + Upper combo: $70-$120 per person for the full day.
Prices vary by outfitter, day of week, and season. Weekend and holiday prices are typically 10-20% higher. Always confirm current pricing directly with the outfitter.
Season & Scheduling
The Ocoee is dam-controlled by TVA. Water releases are scheduled — no release, no rafting. This means:
- Middle Ocoee: Runs most days from late March through October. Weekday releases start in late spring.
- Upper Ocoee: Limited to weekends and select weekdays, typically May through Labor Day.
- Check the TVA release schedule before booking, especially for the Upper. Outfitters will know the current schedule.
Getting There
The Ocoee River is in the Cherokee National Forest in southeastern Tennessee, along US-64. Drive times from major cities:
- Chattanooga, TN — 1 hour
- Atlanta, GA — 2 hours
- Knoxville, TN — 2 hours
- Nashville, TN — 3 hours
Ocoee River Outfitters on Whitewatr
31 outfitters run trips on the Ocoee River, with prices from $36 to $2995.
| Outfitter | Location | Class | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantahala Outdoor Center | Ocoee, TN | — | $62 |
| Nantahala Outdoor Center | Copperhill, TN | III-IV | $48 |
| Quest Expeditions | Copperhill, TN | III-IV | — |
| Rolling Thunder River Company | McCaysville, GA | — | — |
| Ocoee Outdoors | Ducktown, TN | III-V | — |
| Nantahala Outdoor Center | Bryson City, NC | — | $62 |
| Ocoee Adventure Center | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | — |
| Endless River Adventures | Ocoee, TN | I-IV | — |
| Big Frog Mountain Outfitters | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | $38 |
| Outdoor Adventure Rafting | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Cascade Outdoors | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Outland Expeditions | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | — |
| Ocoee Inn Rafting | Benton, TN | — | — |
| Quest Expeditions | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | — |
| Ace Ocoee Adventures | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Ocoee Outdoors | Ocoee, TN | III-V | — |
| Ocoee River Experience | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Bigfoot Outfitters Adventure Center | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Raft One | Ducktown, TN | — | $36 |
| Rolling Thunder River Company | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Cherokee Rafting | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | — |
| Ocoee Rafting | Ducktown, TN | III-IV | — |
| Wildwater | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Whitewater Express | Ocoee, TN | — | — |
| Carolina Ocoee | Ducktown, TN | III-IV | — |
| Adventures Unlimited | Ocoee, TN | III-IV | — |
| Ocoee River Zipline and Canopy Tour | Ducktown, TN | — | — |
| Rolling Thunder River Company | Bryson City, NC | — | — |
| Rolling Thunder River Company | Ducktown, TN | — | — |
| Raft One | Copperhill, TN | — | $36 |
| Ocoee Adventure Center | Copperhill, TN | III-IV | — |
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Browse Rafting TripsData based on 506 verified outfitters on Whitewatr. Last updated April 2026.