For river deep, mountain high attractions head to Ocoee
A favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, Ocoee is a small mountain community in Polk County, East Tennessee. Get your next Tennessee adventure off to a roaring start and book an Ocoee vacation rental on the fringes of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Ride the wild rapids of the Ocoee River, hike the trails of Sugarloaf Mountain, or visit the legendary Benton Falls. After an active day, embrace the Deep South cuisine and feast on traditional barbecue, or relax with a glass of fine whiskey from the local Chattanooga distillery.
Do go chasing waterfalls in the Ocoee River
It's all about natural attractions here in Tennessee. A big draw to the region is the Ocoee River, a 93-mile long river that flows through the southern Appalachian Mountains. It's home to the Ocoee Whitewater Center, near Ducktown, which was famously the site of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics whitewater events. Another key attraction is Benton Falls, a charming 65-foot waterfall. It's a short leisurely trek from the Chilhowee Recreation Center to the falls. Stop off for a picnic or a cool off with a swim in the crystal waters of Clear Creek.
The Ocoee River - Mother Nature's whirlpool
A Ocoee vacation is all about embracing Mother Nature's great and glorious outdoors. Popular with outdoor enthusiasts, try the hair-raising fun of wildwater rafting or tubing down the frenzied waters of the Ocoee River. If you prefer to get muddy rather than wet, head to Sugarloaf Mountain Park. This rugged forest has more than 15 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus picnic areas and shady glades perfect for an afternoon snooze. As the sun sets, head back to your Ocoee vacation rental and relax on the deck with a local brew.
Leafing la vida loca - leaf peeping in fall
For outdoors adventurers, there's never a bad time to visit the Ocoee region. The busiest time of year is during the warm summer months. Days are dry and sunny, and temperatures regularly reach the mid-80s. Come winter, the days get shorter, the mercury drops to around 25-30 degrees, and the area sees plenty of rainfall. Fall is the second-most popular time to visit, when the colorful leaf peeping season draws the crowds. For the widest choice of Ocoee vacation rentals, come in winter or spring, but remember to pack a jacket.
Exploring the natural landscape of Ocoee
Whether you're looking for exciting outdoor activities or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Ocoee is a great place to get outside. These are some of the area's noteworthy features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Ocoee River (21.8 mi / 35.1 km)
- Adventures Unlimited (0.7 mi / 1.1 km)
- Sunburst Adventures (3 mi / 4.9 km)
- Hiwassee-Ocoee Scenic River State Park (12.3 mi / 19.8 km)
- Ocoee Adventure Center (17.7 mi / 28.5 km)
- Outdoor Adventure Rafting (2.9 mi / 4.6 km)
Transportation to and around Ocoee
Fly into Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA), the closest airport, located 27.6 mi (44.5 km) from the city center.