Ocoee River Middle Whitewater Rafting: 17 Rapids in 5 Miles

Five miles of class III and IV whitewater: 17 named rapids, a swim stop, and a bus ride through the Cherokee National Forest.

The Ocoee River Middle whitewater rafting trip is a 5-mile guided raft down 17 major class III and IV rapids in the Cherokee National Forest, starting below Ocoee Dam No. 2. The trip runs about three hours and includes transportation, all safety gear, a guide, and a practice session before you launch. Minimum age is 12 years old; no rafting experience is required.

The Experience

You'll start at the outpost with a brief orientation, then board a bus that climbs into the Cherokee National Forest with views of Lake Ocoee and the river valley. At Ocoee Dam No. 1, your guide walks you through a complete safety briefing and gives you time to practice before the raft hits the water. The Middle Ocoee section is 90% whitewater—five miles of continuous action with names like Grumpy's, Broken Nose, Roller Coaster, Table Saw and Hell's Hole. Each rapid builds your confidence as the guide reads the current and positions the raft.

About halfway down you'll pull over for a swim break in calmer water, a chance to cool off and float. The rapids keep coming after that, each one a little easier to read now that you've felt how the raft responds. The guide handles the technical calls; your job is to paddle when they say paddle and hold on when the water gets steep. By the time the river mellows near the take-out, you've run 17 major rapids and felt the river work.

The bus brings you back to the outpost where you can change into dry clothes and look through photos from the trip. The whole day—bus ride, safety talk, five miles of river, and the ride back—takes about three hours. You need to be at least 12 years old, but no rafting experience is necessary; the guide teaches as you go.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from the river.
• whitewater raft, helmet and personal flotation device (PFD).
• paddle.
• live guide in English.
• safety orientation and practice time before launch.
• swim break halfway down the run.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Cherokee Rafting

Is this one for you?Book this trip for a first day or a free afternoon when you want to run real whitewater without planning the logistics yourself—the bus picks you up, the guide handles the river, and you paddle 17 named rapids in one morning.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

607 verified traveler reviews

5 ★596

4 ★7

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What are the biggest rapids on the Ocoee River Middle section?

The Middle Ocoee features 17 major rapids including Grumpy's, Broken Nose, Roller Coaster, Table Saw and Hell's Hole, all class III and IV whitewater that make up 90% of the 5-mile run.

How long does the Ocoee River rafting trip take?

The trip takes about three hours total, including the bus ride to the put-in, a safety orientation and practice session, the five-mile raft down the river, and the bus ride back to the outpost.

Do I need rafting experience to raft the Ocoee River Middle section?

No experience is necessary; the guide provides a complete safety orientation and practice time before you launch, and teaches you how to read the rapids as you go down the river.

What's included in the Ocoee River rafting trip?

The trip includes private transportation to and from the river, a whitewater raft, helmet, personal flotation device (PFD), paddle, and a live guide in English throughout the day.

Is there a swim break on the Ocoee River Middle rafting trip?

Yes, about halfway down the five-mile run there is a swim break in calmer water where you can cool off and float before continuing through the remaining rapids.

What's the minimum age to raft the Ocoee River Middle section?

You must be at least 12 years old to participate in the Ocoee River Middle whitewater rafting trip.