Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River
Guided Ocoee River trips for all skill levels on America’s most celebrated whitewater river.
Choose Your Trip
Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River
Middle Ocoee
The Classic Ocoee Experience
- ~3.5 hours door-to-door
- Ages 12 and up
- Class III & IV rapids
From $37/person
Full Ocoee
Upper + Middle with Catered Lunch
- ~6hours door-to-door
- Ages 12 and up
- Class III & IV rapids
From $90/person
Lunch included. Prices vary by date.
Class V Experience
For Certified Rafters Only
- ~5 hours door-to-door
- Ages 16+, certified only
- Class IV & V rapids
From $74/person
Upper Ocoee
The 1996 Olympic Run
- ~3.5 hours door-to-door
- Ages 12 and up
- Class III & IV rapids
From $74/person
Most Popular
Middle Ocoee
The Classic Ocoee Whitewater Experience
Duration
~3.5 hrs door-to-door
Difficulty
Class III & IV
Minimum Age
12 years old
Starting At
$37 / person
Five miles of continuous Class III and IV rapids through one of the most scenic gorges in the Southeast. This is the trip OAR built its reputation on — and the one most guests run first. Your guide reads the river and your group at every rapid, dialing the experience up or down based on what you want. Never rafted before? Good. This is where most people start, and it never gets old. Looking for even more? For just a few extra dollars, you can get 2x the river and lunch.
What's Included
- All safety equipment — helmet, life jacket, paddle
- Transportation to and from the river
- Certified OAR guide for your entire trip
- Full safety briefing and paddling instruction
From $37
/ person
Best Value
Full Ocoee
Both Rivers. Catered Lunch. One Epic Day.
Duration
~6 hrs door-to-door
Difficulty
Class III & IV
Minimum Age
12 years old
Starting At
$90 / person
Can’t choose between the Upper and Middle Ocoee? You don’t have to. The Full River Trip runs both — ten miles of whitewater across the two most iconic stretches of the Ocoee River. You’ll start on the Upper Ocoee at the legendary Olympic section, including Humongous and Godzilla, then break for a catered riverside lunch before finishing strong on the Middle. This is an all-day adventure and one of the best full days you can spend on a Tennessee river.
What's Included
- All safety equipment — helmet, life jacket, paddle
- Transportation to and from the river
- Certified OAR guide for your entire trip
- Catered riverside lunch — sandwiches, chips, pasta salad, sweet tea & lemonade
- Full safety briefing and paddling instruction
From $90
/ person
Extreme Trip
Class V Experience
The Most Aggressive Lines on the Ocoee River
Duration
~5 hrs door-to-door
Difficulty
Class IV & V
Minimum Age
16 years old
Starting At
$74 / person
What's Included
- All safety equipment — helmet, life jacket, paddle
- Transportation to and from the river
- Certified OAR Class V guide
- Catered riverside lunch — sandwiches, chips, pasta salad, sweet tea & lemonade
From $74
/ person
The Olympic Section
Upper Ocoee
Paddle Where Olympians Competed in 1996
Duration
~3.5 hrs door-to-door
Difficulty
Class III and IV
Minimum Age
12 years old
Starting At
$ 74/ person
The Upper Ocoee was purpose-built for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and is home to Humongous and Godzilla — two of the largest and most technically demanding rapids on the entire Ocoee River. Starting with Class II warm-up water, the river builds into the legendary Olympic section, where a riverside walkway lets friends and family watch from just feet away. Available as a standalone trip on select dates, or as part of the Full Ocoee package.
Looking for even more? For just a few extra dollars, you can get 2x the river and lunch! Check out our Full Ocoee trip.
What's Included
- All safety equipment — helmet, life jacket, paddle
- Transportation to and from the river
- Certified OAR guide for your entire trip
- Full safety briefing and paddling instruction
From $74
/ person
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocoee River Rafting
What is the Ocoee River like for whitewater rafting?
The Ocoee River is fast, splashy, and full of action
- Mostly Class III–IV rapids → exciting but not dangerous
- Nonstop waves & rapids → very little calm water
- Beginner-friendly with a guide, but still thrilling
When is whitewater rafting available on the Ocoee River?
Whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River is available from March to October.
- Spring & Fall → mostly weekends only
- Summer (peak season) → multiple days per week (sometimes daily except Tue/Wed)
What is the difference between the Upper and Middle Ocoee?
Upper Ocoee → more technical with tighter turns, bigger drops, and stronger currents; includes the Olympic section and feels more challenging
Middle Ocoee → more flowy with continuous wave trains, lots of splashes, and fewer technical moves; easier and better for most rafters
Do I need rafting experience to book a trip?
No, you don’t need any rafting experience.
- Most trips are designed for first-timers
- You’ll go with a professional guide who teaches everything before starting
- They guide you through every rapid, step by step
Can non-swimmers go whitewater rafting?
Yes, non-swimmers can go rafting on the Ocoee.
- You must wear a life jacket (PFD) at all times
- Guides give full safety instructions
- They’re trained to help if you fall in
What should I wear for whitewater rafting?
Wear quick-drying, comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting wet.
- Swimwear or synthetic fabrics (avoid cotton)
- Secure shoes (water shoes or strapped sandals)
- Sunscreen & sunglasses with strap
- Cooler weather → wetsuit or splash jacket
What happens if the TVA doesn't release water on my trip day?
If the Tennessee Valley Authority doesn’t release water:
- Rafting trips don’t run (the river needs scheduled releases)
- Outfitters will usually reschedule your trip or offer a refund/credit
- Releases are normally scheduled in advance, so this is rare
How far is OAR from Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Nashville?
Chattanooga → ~1.5 hours (about 45 miles)
Atlanta → ~2.5 hours (about 120 miles)
Nashville → ~3 hours (about 150 miles)
How do I earn a Class V certification with OAR?
To earn a Class V certification with OAR, you’ll need to progress through our guide training program:
- Start as a trainee guide (usually on the Middle Ocoee)
- Complete guide school + safety/rescue training
- Gain experience guiding Class III–IV trips consistently
- Demonstrate advanced skills on harder lines (Upper/Olympic section)
- Pass OAR’s final evaluation on Class V-level skills
Does pricing change throughout the season?
Yes, pricing does change throughout the season.
- Peak season (summer & weekends) → higher prices
- Early/late season or weekdays → lower prices
- Prices also vary by group size and demand
Ready for your whitewater adventure ?
Season runs mid-March through October. Summer weekends fill fast — book your date early.