Area Attractions

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The Ocoee river is the number one attraction in this area. In the late '70s during the reconstruction of the flume that feeds water to the TVA Ocoee #2 power house people started using surplus army rafts to float rapids of the river that was normally dry. It was so much fun someone got the idea of starting a business of charging people for rides in their rafts. And that's how it started. Its such a perfect natural river for rafting and kayaking that the whitewater competition for the 1996 Olympics was held here. Now, well over 300,000 people a year enjoy the class 3 and 4 rapids of the mighty Ocoee.

Click on the thumbnails below to see what the Ocoee is all about. Use the back button to return.

Oh yeah, contrary to popular belief, the movie "Deliverance" was not filmed in Tennessee.

The Hiwassee River

The Hiwassee river is probably our number two attraction but it is gaining rapidly in popularity every year. The Hiwassee was the first in Tennessee to be designated a "Scenic River". The cold clear waters of this river are full of rainbow and brown trout making it one of the best fly fishing streams in the south. Also, the class 1 and 2 rapids are perfect for canoeing, kayaking and rafting. Even if you don't like getting wet you can bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the cool breeze from the cold water on a hot summer day or a leisurely walk on the John Muir Trail.

Click the thumbnails below to view some scenes on the Hiwassee. Use the back button to return.

Sightseeing and Hiking

Sightseeing, hiking and mountain biking are activities for all ages anytime of the year. Our county is 53% Cherokee National Forest which along with our wild mountain rivers and dozens of hiking trails make this a nature lovers paradise. In the fall you can hardly believe your eyes when you see all the colors along roadside as you drive through the national forest. The spring is also full of color with the native dogwood, mountain laurel and wild azaleas. Even the winter is scenic with all the roadside waterfalls frozen and without leaves on the trees you can see the rugged rocky beauty of the mountains that's hidden from view the rest of the year.

Click the thumbnails below to see a sample of the sights. Use the back button to return.