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The Ocoee Region has everything you could want to do outside!
 Shoot the rapids on America's only Olympic River, the Ocoee River. Located just 20 miles east of Cleveland, Tennessee, the Ocoee River with its class III and IV whitewater rapids is one of the South's most popular whitewater rivers. The Ocoee was the site of the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Competition.
Anyone age 12 or over can enjoy the rapids of the Ocoee on guided raft trips offered by outfitters. These guided trips are available weekends
April-October and weekdays June-August.
Click here to seach the Cleveland, Tennessee Chamber's member directory for an outfitter for your next trip.
Cherokee National Forest
With 625,000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty, the Cherokee National Forest is a fabulouse Tennessee vacation spot that offers dozens of exciting and relaxing recreational opportunities. Among many activities enjoyed by thousands each year are camping, hiking, picnicking, hunting, fishing, swimming and boating on Parksville Lake. The forest's Scenic Byway, the first scenic byway designated in the nation, winds along Parksville Lake and the Ocoee River. Mountaintops overlooking the Chilhowee recreational area provide breathtaking scenes. Parking fees in some areas.
423-476-9700. Fall Color Hotline 1-800-204-6366. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/cherokee
Hiwassee Scenic River
The Hiwassee River is the first designated State Scenic River in Tennessee. A 23-mile river section from the Tennessee-North Carolina state line to U.S. Hwy. 411 north of Benton has been declared a Class III partially developed river. The river offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities such as canoeing, fishing, hiking and nature photography in the northern section, and skiing and boating in Charleston (North Bradley County). Numerous public access sites provide boat-launching ramps. Picnic areas, sanitary facilities and primitive camping are also available. 423-338-5201. www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Hiwassee
Ocoee River
Located in the Cherokee National Forest in Polk County, the Ocoee River offers various skill levels of kayaking, canoeing and whitewater rafting. The Ocoee River?s Class III and IV rapids make it the most popular whitewater river in the nation and site for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater events. Click here for a list of Chamber-member outfitters.
Ocoee Regional Nature Center
Bradley County's only nature center and state certified arboretum, the nature center contains over 100 different trees,
 shrubs and ground covers. The nature center has a "rescued fire tower" from the Cherokee National Forest along with a pond, educational gazebo and the newly constructed bog garden. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Ocoee Regional Nature Center is located off I-75 @ Exit 20. Proceed west to the 4-way stop. Nature Center is about 150 yards past stop on right. 423-559-3307.
Red Clay State Historic Park
The last of the council grounds of the Cherokee Nation before their removal along the tragic Trail of Tears are located here. A Cherokee farm and council house of the period have been replicated to offer visitors a glimpse of how the area might have looked 150 years ago. The sacred council spring produces over 400,000 gallons of sapphire-blue water a day, providing the area's long-ago residents with fresh spring water. An interpretative center houses a theater, exhibits and artifacts. Recreational facilities include a 500-seat amphitheater, a picnic pavilion, picnic area with grills and tables, and a two-mile loop trail with a beautiful limestone overlook tower. Limited handicap accessibility. The park is open 8 a.m.-sunset, March to November; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., December-February, Closed December 22 to January 1. Take Blue Springs Road or Dalton Pike off Hwy. 64 Bypass and follow signs. 423-478-0339. www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/RedClay
Conasauga River
This river begins high in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and descends rapidly north into Tennessee. The Conasauga is a great place for swimming, fishing, hunting, snorkeling and boating. It is also the habitat for over 70 species of fish (including 25 rare varieties) and 10 species of freshwater mussels. For more information contact the Conasauga River Alliance at 706-695-3950.www.conasaugariver.net
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