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The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).
Of Bradley County Tn.
MAY 2014
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.
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The People News
Lifestyles
Special Report
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HOME
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Whitewater Rafting, Ocoee, TN
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by Alexandra Edwards
Spring is here and after a late start, the weather in beautiful southeast Tennessee is finally heating up. Pretty soon, especially once school is out, everyone will be looking for places to chill out and cool off.
Whitewater rafting is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the south east with the Ocoee River ranked one of the nations top rafting and kayaking rivers. Known worldwide as home of the whitewater events of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the Ocoee attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Ocoee is a dam controlled river having reliable scheduled water releases from Thursday-Monday throughout the summer, with weekend only releases in the spring and fall. Running northwest from the Copper Basin Area to the Tennessee River, the Ocoee is the only Olympic river in America with Class III and IV rapids making it one of the nation's most challenging stretches of water.
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With the whitewater rafting season just getting into full swing, now is a good time to plan your summer water activities. Careful planning is recommended as each rafting company have their own allotted time slots for rafting. The Ocoee river is separated into three parts, the upper river being the site of the Olympic course, the middle, with commercial rafting, and the lower, used more for boating, tubing and swimming. Each rafting company is also allotted their own specific days for using each section of the river or full river.
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Many rafting companies scattered along the Ocoee region have gained decades of experience in riding the rapids, so finding a good, honest and reliable one shouldn't be a problem. Most have campgrounds offering reasonably priced lodging, RV hook-up or cosy rural cabins for those not wishing to pitch a tent.
However, though most are what you see are what you get, there are also some that seem to think they are more in line with the resort/hotel business offering high rates for cabins that are no more than sheds and not quite as luxurious as described on the internet. For those who do prefer the convenience of a hotel, there are a couple in Ocoee, close to amenities, the Whitewater Inn, or Lake Ocoee Inn as well as several others to choose from in nearby Cleveland or Ducktown.
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Traveling east on Highway 64 from Cleveland, TN, the first whitewater rafting company just before reaching Ocoee is Outland Expeditions, a family owned business for over 30 years. In addition to rafting they also offer funyak and kayak clinics, river boarding clinics, rock climbing, trail hiking and summer camps. Camping and various forms of accommodation are listed on their website. For more information go to OutlandExpeditions.com or call 800-827-1442.
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Next, in their new rafting outpost, on Highway 64 just as you cross the county line into Ocoee is Quest Expeditions, also boasting 30 years experience in the business, Quest guides are trained in First Aid, CPR and many holding advanced certifications. On site cabin rentals are available as well as their new, friendly Paddler Cafe. For information visit QuestExpeditions.com or call 800-277-4537.
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Continuing east on Highway 64 is High Country Adventures, who have run whitewater rafting trips on the Ocoee River since 1978. Though their main outdoor sport is whitewater rafting, they also offer rock climbing, kayak touring, rope courses and caving trips. Currently their website is advertising a special Memorial Day combo for May 24 -25. Also, anyone wishing to stay in a cabin at their outpost, can watch a walk through video on their website. For more information go to hcrivers.com or call 800-233-8594.
Further into the foothills of the beautiful Cherokee National Forest on Highway 64, is the aptly named, Cherokee Rafting, claiming to be one of the first companies to begin rafting the Ocoee River in 1978, they recently received a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor for 2012 & 2013 as well as an award from National Geographic. For more information go to CherokeeRafting.com or call 800-451-7238.
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Outdoor Adventure Rafting (OAR) is located on Welcome Valley in nearby Benton, just off of Highway 64. As well as top class whitewater rafting, visitors can enjoy Lower Ocoee River tubing float trips, rock climbing, rappelling, paintball, low and high ropes courses, camping, group lodging, catering and a café, as well as a conference center. Accommodation is available and is described as 'primitive lodging at its best.' Also, tent camping is free. For more info go to Raftoar.com or call 800-627-7636.
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For a full day adventure, visitors can raft the Ocoee then experience the adventure of flying on zip lines at Wildwater Rafting, located further east on Highway 64 in Ducktown, TN. For more information, go to wildwaterrafting.com or call 866-319-8870. In nearby Copperhill, as well as whitewater rafting, Raft One also have zip line canopy adventures, as well as mountain biking. For more info go to RaftOne.com or call 888-723-8663.
The Ocoee River valley has much to offer during the summer and is a great place to get wet and chill out, while at the same time, rest and relax while feasting your eyes on some of the most finest scenic views God's country has to offer.
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