Save 10% on our Zipline + Rafting combo! Save big on double the adventure!
Save 10% on our Zipline + Rafting combo! Save big on double the adventure!
Save 10% on our Zipline + Rafting combo! Save big on double the adventure!
Save 10% on our Zipline + Rafting combo! Save big on double the adventure!
Since Florida is the flattest state in the nation, whitewater rafting is obviously not one of its major attractions. However, just because whitewater rafting in Florida is scarce, that doesn’t mean there isn’t good whitewater rafting near Florida. Just a few hours north of the border, Floridians can raft on Tennessee’s famous Ocoee River, the most popular rafting destination in the entire country.
Read on to find why Ocoee River Rafting draws so many adventurers from Florida and beyond, explore the best rafting deals we offer, and see the incredible array of other activities you can enjoy during your stay.
We mean this literally, as the Upper Ocoee River was the site of the whitewater, canoe, and kayak competitions for the 1996 Olympic Games. Typically, the Olympic Games have to create a purpose-built course for these types of contests, but the Ocoee River was so perfect for these sports that it remains the only natural river ever to host Olympic kayak and canoe events.
Many rivers around the world, including ones ideal for whitewater rafting, run dry during droughts or less rainy seasons. However, with the Ocoee, this is never a concern — in 1983, the U.S. government agreed to release water from the dams along the Ocoee for the sake of whitewater recreation on the river.
That means you can always rely on the middle section of the Ocoee for the more challenging Class III and IV rapids and the Upper Ocoee for over 20 Class IV rapids. During the summer, the dam releases 1,250 cubic feet of water per second, which makes for a thrilling rafting experience.
Unlike many other top tourist destinations, you won’t have to break the bank for a trip on the Ocoee. RaftOne offers affordable Florida group rafting trip costs, including options for corporate team building, family vacations, and solo adventures.
The Ocoee River and surrounding Cherokee National Forest offer a variety of outdoor adventures, some of which you cannot experience in Florida.
Although beautiful natural scenery surrounds the Ocoee River, that doesn’t mean it’s in the middle of nowhere. It’s just over an hour’s drive from the city of Chattanooga, where you can check out the following attractions.
Rafting on the Ocoee is thrilling no matter how large your party is. However, we believe there’s something special about paddling down rapids with your family, friends and teammates from work, which is why we’ve made it easy for groups to raft together by offering discounted rates.
The price for a rafting trip on the Ocoee depends on the size of your party and the day of the week. For instance, if you travel with a group of 11 people or fewer and go on a Saturday, the per-person rate is $43. If you visit with a group of 40+ people on a weekday, however, the per-person cost drops to $32.
The above rates apply to both Upper Ocoee and Middle Ocoee. If you’d like to do both sections in one day, we offer combo trips, including lunch, that start at $80.
As we mentioned before, there’s a lot more to do on the Ocoee, including zip lining canopy tours. If you’re interested in both rafting and zip lining, we offer the following combo packages.
RaftOne also offers packages that combine rafting, zip lining and horseback riding. If you choose this package, you will start the day by rafting, then enjoy a two-hour zip line canopy tour and end the day with a horseback ride through the mountains of Tennessee and Georgia. You can book this adventure here.
Are you looking for overnight whitewater rafting trips near Florida? RaftOne also offers great lodging rates for large groups, which include the following.
This two-story, log cabin-style bunkhouse, one of the best lodges in Tennessee, offers 44 single-person beds divided among four rooms. Mattresses come included, but you will need to bring along a sleeping bag, pillow and towels. There is also a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator.
If you’re coming during the summertime, you won’t have to worry about getting hot, as the Big Lodge is air-conditioned. There are also two small bathrooms, and you can shower in the main bathhouse located just down the hill.
There is also a large deck and common room that are great for hanging out, meeting up or playing games. The deck also includes grills and picnic tables, and in the woods nearby, there is also a fire ring.
The rate for the Big Lodge is $15 per person per night. We require a minimum of $250 for a reservation.
This smaller, rustic lodge has 16 single-person beds divided among two bunk-style rooms. As is the case with Big Lodge, we provide mattresses, but you will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow and towels. There is a small kitchen in the lodge equipped with a sink, refrigerator and microwave.
The Small Lodge also has air conditioning, which makes the lodge a welcome refuge during the hottest days of summer. There are also two small bathrooms, and showers just down the hill in the main bathhouse. The lodge also features a spacious screened-in porch on the side, which is great for playing games and hanging out.
The rate for the Small Lodge is $15 per person per night, and you must pay a minimum of $75 to reserve it.If you and your group are interested in a more adventurous lodging arrangement, consider roughing it one of our Ocoee camping sites. We have two sites, each of which can accommodate three or four small tents.
If you choose to stay in our Ocoee camping ground, remember to bring along some firewood, which you can buy locally, as well as garbage bags, water containers, grills, flashlights, matches, ground cloths, towels, sleeping bags, tents and chairs. For grilling, we recommend portable propane grills.
If your party needs more room than is available at our campground, you can stay at the nearby Thunder Rock Campground, only a five-minute drive away. The sites there are spacious and include a fire pit and picnic table. The rate is $12 per site per night.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into nature and experiencing an even wilder river, you can look into rafting tours on the nearby Chattooga River. This river, which features breathtaking waterfalls and abundant wildlife, is in South Carolina and Northeast Georgia and is an excellent rafting destination for those seeking adventure and thrills. Southeastern Expeditions, the river’s premier outfitter, offers rafting, canoeing and kayaking tours. The Chattooga features rapids ranging from Class II up to Class V, making it a great choice for both timid first-timers and experienced risk-takers.
If you would like to take advantage of RaftOne’s group rates for Florida whitewater rafting trips, but cannot find enough people to join your party, think about joining an outdoor social club in your area that plans whitewater rafting tours for Florida residents to experience the Ocoee.
The Adventure Club of Gainesville arranges some of the best whitewater rafting trips for Floridians, taking care of all the logistics of planning whitewater rafting for groups from Florida. To become a member, you must pay the minimal monthly fees, which cover the costs of administration. This Florida adventure club has planned rafting trips to both the Ocoee and Chattooga rivers.
Choosing Ocoee River rafting for Florida residents and RaftOne to guide you down it is, we believe, the perfect combination for an unforgettable rafting experience. After all, the Ocoee River is the most popular rafting destination in the country, and RaftOne is the highest independently rated rafting tour company on the Ocoee River.
Our expert guides are passionate about providing the safest, most memorable experience for all rafters aged 12 or older. Book a tour with us today and find out why RaftOne has received more five-star TripAdvisor ratings than any other rafting company on the Ocoee River.
When you’re looking for whitewater rafting near Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee or anywhere else in Florida, feel free to call us at 423-799-2354 and we’ll be glad to help you plan your trip, including when to raft, where to stay and the best places to eat. After all, we like to think of ourselves as not just raft guides — but tour guides!
