Ocoee River

Welcome to the banks of the mighty Ocoee River, a waterway that perfectly encapsulates the dramatic intersection of wild, natural power and brilliant human engineering. Located within the Cherokee National Forest in the…

Crossing the impressive suspension bridge to the far side of the river, we access the trailhead for the Bear Paw Loop. This moderately difficult, three point six mile trail offers a crucial retreat from the heavily engineered…

Moving upstream along the highway, we arrive at a critical juncture in the Ocoee River's hydrological system: Ocoee Dam Number Two and the corresponding Flume Gate. This massive concrete structure, managed by the Tennessee Valley…

Parallel to the rushing river—or the dry riverbed, depending on the schedule—runs one of the most bizarre and fascinating architectural features in the American South: the Ocoee River Flume. Clinging precariously to the blasted…

When the water is released into the natural riverbed, we arrive at the heart of the whitewater experience: the infamous Table Saw rapid. The Middle Ocoee is legendary for its continuous, unrelenting gradient, meaning the river…

Our exploration follows the wooden flume to its final destination: the historic Powerhouse. After traveling five miles along the artificial, elevated gradient of the mountainside, the water inside the flume has achieved a massive…

Moving away from the heavy industrial hum of the powerhouse, we transition back to the natural riparian ecology of the lower gorge, exploring the quiet trails that trace the river banks, such as the Road to Dendon trail. When the…

Our journey along the Ocoee River concludes, leaving us with a profound appreciation for a landscape defined entirely by its duality. This river gorge is a masterpiece of extreme contrasts, seamlessly blending raw, unbridled…