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Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park & River Floats
- boykinsintheboat
- Jan 2
- 5 min read
The Hiwassee/Ocoee Tennessee camping/float trip is one that beckons us to return each year. The East Tennessee Mountain breeze with a 5-to-10-degree difference in temperature compared to West Tennessee is quite inviting when August rolls around. The thought of cool water following over rapids and splashing on the kayaks. The breeze in the morning and evenings at Gee Creek Campground where no electric is even needed at your campsite to ensure your return visit. Friendly outfitters, State Park employees and local merchants in the community make for a welcome stay each year.
This summer we plan once again to stay in Gee Creek Campground primitive with water at each site and a bath house. We learn from the Visitor Center that a new campground project is soon to come over the next couple of years for an updated bathhouse. The staff is excited to hear this. As a patron, thanks to the team that they have, the current bathhouse has been well taken care of and clean upon each visit. So, I am proud for them but satisfied with the current conditions for our visit this year. We begin our first evening with a walk around the campground, the nearby hiking trail which follows the Hiwassee river and backside of the campground leads us to a ramp where we wade for a bit and toss a bumper for the pups. The nearby amphitheater and group camp is a nice place to sit and hear the birds chirp before returning to our site.
Upon waking the next morning, we prepare for our first day on the river with the upcoming float by stopping by the park office/camp store. We are greeted by a friendly clerk who recommends a couple of places to stay if we need to add an additional night's stay onto our visit for a full day float on the Ocoee over the busy weekend. She also gives us directions to the nearby hiking trail with small waterfalls on the forestry property.
Our first day's float is on the Hiwassee River; Hiwassee Outfitters https://hiwasseeoutfitters.com/ . They are well known and respected in the area which is important when choosing an outfitter for whitewater sports. They offer shuttle service, inflatable kayaks, rafts, and have a gift shop/changing bathhouse for your use. It is recommended that you make reservations online before arriving while planning out your trip. The Hiwassee is a fun river with Class I - II rapids and a thrilling Class III section at Devils Shoals. It's a 5.5-mile trip with a 2-3hr float time depending on how long you enjoy your stops to swim and lunch. We always enjoy floating the Hiwassee River on the first day's adventure especially if you have anyone in the group new to white water. This gives them an understanding somewhat of whitewater before they jump into the day on the Ocoee River. When floating the Hiwassee staying River Left for the float will keep you from getting stuck on the river for the most part. Once you have floated it several times or go with an experienced group there are a couple of rapids you can enjoy on the Right side of the river without getting majorly stuck.
The following day consisted of hiking 1.48mi in the afternoon at Gee Creek Falls Trail Reliance, TN. You can use All Trails App to locate it as it is a bit off the beaten path from the State Park itself. Wear good shoes as you will have inclines to hike up in gravel. The trail will bring you to a wooden bridge which families enjoy wading in. After crossing the bridge and continuing on up the gravel trail following Gee Creek you will see a series of waterfalls. We stopped with the pups at each area for them to play and to cool off. It was quite pleasant and one we would do again.
Our last day in the area was spent with Ocoee Tennessee River Outpost | Nantahala Outdoor Center for the Full Day Float on the Ocoee to include lunch halfway through. We have both floated the Ocoee half day float before over the years; this was to be our first adventure to do the full Day Float. Upper and Middle sections of the river to include the Olympic section featured in the 1996 Whitewater Sports events. The Upper section was created just for the Olympics and before the event even had to be determined if it was too extreme to be included. We were pumped and excited to mark this off our bucket list with Class III & IV rapids. I always enjoy hearing the guides talk about the rapids and their names like Grumpy, Gonzo, Broken Nose, Moonshot, Double Suck, Double Trouble, Flipper, Table saw, Diamond Splitter, Hell Hole, Powerhouse.
We survived!!! We had one of the most experienced guides on the river who was knowledgeable of the rapids, history of the area and had worked many summers including this one to see how each of the Outfitters worked the rapids, how the public in kayaks played or got out of the way of the rafts when they came through. Such as during one of many moments of adventure, when a kayaker was launched out of the rapid as we came through due to it hitting us head on. Needless to say, a kayak doesn't fair well against a raft full. That yaker flew high and hit the nose of our raft with a young lady riding the front as we went through the rapid. It was pretty wild. Randy checked on the lady in our raft to make sure she was okay; she was pretty much just in shock. Along with the excitement we also enjoyed a relaxing lunch catered to us by the outfitter, floating beside the raft and the ambiance of the white water. White Water Rafting always reminds me of the episode of Little House were Almanzo brother and sister-in-law go rafting on their anniversary trip for some reason. A simpler time.
So if you enjoy a simpler time yet want to check some adventure off your bucket list; I highly recommend the Hiwassee/Ocoee River Floats. As always till we meet again.
Alisha is a former State Park Ranger/Manager with 30 years' experience in the field. She now enjoys being a patron of State and National Parks with her husband and Boykin Spaniels. Please follow the link to see my favorite products and shop with me. It is a small way to support my BoykinsNBoat Blog.
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