Ocoee Whitewater Day Use Areas and Picnic Sites
The Ocoee River is a hard, forceful, natural, scenic whitewater river, whose water flow, and steep gorge seemed impossible to tame. On the northern bank of the Upper Ocoee River you'll find the Ocoee Whitewater Center. The Ocoee Whitewater Center was built to host the 1996 Summer Olympic Kayaking events. This is a great place for a break from driving. This section of the river was constructed boulder by boulder to create a course worthy of the Olympic games. The course only has whitewater flowing thru it on specified days between spring and fall, the main river is diverted to the north. Low level water always flows through the course creating wading pools along with small cascades amongst the numerous boulders, throughout the visitor's area.
To the east of the Ocoee Whitewater Center, along the northern banks of the Ocoee River, is a section of the original Old Copper Road, it is now a well maintained trail. A hiking or trail bike trip along this trail you'll find a mostly level but rough and rocky trail with hand cut granite boulders, from one end of the Ocoee Gorge to the other. This example of early trail blazing makes an asphalt thoroughfare a welcome modern marvel of engineering.
From Knoxville: Distance to Ocoee Whitewater Center = 116 miles
I-75 South to Exit 25 and go right for 5 miles (through city) and exit onto Hwy. 64 East Ocoee. Travel 26 miles and OWC will be on the right.
From Chattanooga: Distance to Ocoee Whitewater Center = 52 miles
I-75 North to Exit 20 (1st Cleveland exit) and go right for about 6 miles and exit right onto Hwy 64 East Ocoee. Travel 26 miles and OWC will be on the right.
From Atlanta: Distance to Ocoee Whitewater Center = 167 miles
I-75 North - Exit onto Hwy 411 North. Exit onto Hwy 64 East. Travel 18.5 miles and OWC will be on the right.
Activities available at Ocoee Whitewater Center....
Hike or bike historic or forest trails
Play in the water
Picnic along the river
Native Garden and geology tours
Nature-oriented gift shop
Relax and rock a while
Ocoee Whitewater Center
4400 Hwy. 64
Copperhill TN 37317
Phone: (423) 496-0100 Toll Free: 1 (877) 692-6050 Fax: (423) 496-0115 |
