Ocoee River Vicinity

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Cherokee National Forest
2800 North Ocoee St
Cleveland, TN 37312
(423) 476-9700

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Ocoee River RECREATION ZONE

Welcome...

This vicinity is known for world class whitewater and the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom course. The Ocoee Whitewater Center lies alongside the Olympic course.

Regional information, as well as day use trails, gardens, environmental education and waterplay are part of the Whitewater Center's offerings.

Drive the Ocoee Scenic Byway along US 64 to access the area's many activities.

In contrast to the activity along Ocoee River is more than 5,600 acres of Little Frog Mountain Wilderness/Wilderness Study Area, where visitors can find solitude. Situated between Parksville Campground and Chilhowee Recreation Area is the 220-acre Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area. This rugged backcountry is known for a remarkable series of waterfalls and cascades.

Printable Ocoee River Recreation Zone Guide (pdf)
Printable Map - Ocoee River Recreation Zone (pdf)
Printable Map - Southern Districts CNF Recreation Zones (pdf)

Ocoee-Hiwassee
Ranger Station

3171 Highway 64 E
Benton, TN 37307
423-338-3300

Nearby . . . .

TVA's outdoor park with scale model of Olympic course on Ocoee River

TN Overhill Heritage Tourism sites

	Get in the Water! Here's your chance to experience the whitewater thrills of an Olympic river! Outfitters offer guided raft trips down two different sections of Ocoee River. The upper sectionbegins at Ocoee # 3 and flows through the Olympic course past Ocoee Whitewater Center (OWC). The middle section begins at Ocoee # 2 and offers a thrill a minute class III and IV whitewater rapids. If you'd just like to watch the action, several pulloffs off US 64 offer viewing vantage points. Visit OWC to wade in shallow pools and take in the sights.
	Follow the Trail! Experience the cool spray of Benton Falls, an easy 1.5-mile hike from Chilhowee Recreation Area on Trail #131. Chilhowee's trail complex offers about 20 miles of hike/bike trails. One of the most popular bike trails is Clemmer, a 3-mile trail challenge for even experienced bikers. Check out trails radiating from Ocoee Whitewater Center, including the 30-mile Tanasi Trail complex. Learn area heritage along Old Copper Road Trail #306, a 2.3-mile section of the historic wagon road that linked the mines at Copperhill to the rail yard in Cleveland, TN.
	Go Sightseeing! The nation's first National Forest Scenic Byway winds through the Ocoee Gorge along Parksville Lake and Ocoee River on US 64 and leads to Chilhowee Recreation Area on FR 77. The 26-mile Ocoee Scenic Byway offers motorists the opportunity to view long scenic vistas of mountains as well as intimate views of Ocoee River and the TVA power-generating system.
	Sleep under the Stars! For a destination campground, try Chilhowee Recreation Area, where 83 sites are nestled near a 7-acre mountain lake with miles of hike/bike trails. Parksville Campground, just off US 64 on TN 30, with 41 sites, offers RV sites alongside Rock Creek and group sites with access to the headwaters of Parksville Lake. All three campgrounds offer tables, fire rings, lantern posts, flush toilets and showers. Thunder Rock Campground, off US 64 on the banks of Ocoee River, offers direct access to the Tanasi Trail system and OWC. Amenities include 42 sites with tables, fire rings, lantern posts, vault toilet and shower access.

USDA Forest Service - Cherokee National Forest
Last Modified: Tuesday, 20 January 2009 at 13:50:29 EST