Things to Do Near the Ocoee River in Tennessee: Attractions, Landmarks & Hidden Gems

The Ocoee River may be famous for its whitewater, but rafting is only one way to experience this corner of Southeast Tennessee. Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest and close to Copperhill, Ducktown, and Blue Ridge, the Ocoee area makes an easy home base for a weekend filled with outdoor adventures, local history, and a few unexpected stops.

You can hike near the river, explore the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events, learn about the Copper Basin’s mining history, visit a working orchard, or even drive a tank.

If you’re planning more than a day on the Ocoee, here are some of the best things to do before or after your rafting trip.

At a Glance: Things to Do Near the Ocoee River

Attraction / Activity	Why Visit?	Best For
Ocoee River Rafting	Class III–IV whitewater and the 1996 Olympic whitewater course	Adventure seekers & families with older kids
Cherokee National Forest	Hiking, biking, fishing and outdoor recreation	Outdoor enthusiasts
Ocoee Whitewater Center area	River scenery, trails and Olympic history	Hikers & families
Ducktown Basin Museum	Copper Basin mining and local history	History lovers
Mercier Orchards	Seasonal U-Pick, market, bakery and farm activities	Families & couples
Tank Town USA	Drive tanks and heavy equipment	Adventure seekers
Blue Ridge, GA	Shopping, dining and mountain-town atmosphere	Weekend getaways

1. Raft the Ocoee River

No trip to the area is complete without experiencing what the Ocoee is best known for: whitewater rafting. Surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest, the Ocoee offers Class III–IV rapids and options for both first-time rafters and experienced adventure seekers.

Whitewater Express offers several ways to experience the river. The Middle Ocoee covers approximately five miles and 27 rapids, making it a great introduction to the Ocoee’s famous whitewater. For an even bigger day on the river, the Full Ocoee combines the Middle and Upper sections, including the whitewater course used during the 1996 Olympic Games.

Rafting is seasonal on the Ocoee, with trips scheduled around the river’s recreational water-release calendar. If rafting is the main reason for your visit, book your river trip first and plan the rest of your Ocoee activities around your reservation.

Best for: Adventure seekers, families with older kids, groups, and anyone who wants to experience one of Tennessee’s most famous outdoor adventures.

2. Explore the Cherokee National Forest

One of the best things about visiting the Ocoee is that the adventure doesn’t end when your raft reaches the take-out. The Ocoee River flows through the Cherokee National Forest, giving visitors access to a much larger outdoor recreation area.

The Cherokee National Forest stretches across eastern Tennessee and provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, paddling, camping, and scenic drives.

For visitors, that means it’s easy to turn an Ocoee rafting trip into a full outdoor weekend. Spend one day tackling Class III–IV rapids, then slow things down with a hike, fishing trip, or scenic drive through the surrounding forest.

It also means you’re visiting protected public land. Follow posted regulations, stay on designated trails, pack out what you bring in, and check current U.S. Forest Service conditions before heading to recreation areas or trailheads.

Best for: Hikers, anglers, mountain bikers and anyone planning an outdoor-focused weekend.

3. Visit the Ocoee Whitewater Center Area

If Olympic history brought you to the Ocoee, add the Ocoee Whitewater Center area to your itinerary.

The Upper Ocoee was home to the canoe and kayak slalom events during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and the surrounding recreation area provides a completely different perspective on the river than you’ll get from inside a raft.

The area has historically served as a hub for hiking, biking, river access and picnicking. A major fire destroyed the original Ocoee Whitewater Center building in 2022, so visitors shouldn’t expect the facility that once stood there. However, the surrounding national forest and trail system remain part of what makes this stretch of the Ocoee worth exploring.

It’s a particularly natural addition if you’re rafting the Full Ocoee, which includes the Upper Ocoee section and takes you through the Olympic whitewater course.

Because facilities and recreation access can change, check current U.S. Forest Service alerts before planning your stop.

Best for: Hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone interested in the Ocoee’s Olympic history.

4. Learn About the Copper Basin at the Ducktown Basin Museum

The landscape surrounding Copperhill and Ducktown has a history that goes well beyond outdoor recreation. To understand how the area became what it is today, visit the Ducktown Basin Museum.

Located on the historic Burra Burra Mine site in Ducktown, the museum tells the story of the region’s copper-mining industry, which shaped the Copper Basin for more than a century.

Inside, you’ll find artifacts, photographs and exhibits covering mining, the sulfuric acid industry and the communities that developed around them. Outside, larger mining artifacts and historic structures remain on the property, and visitors can take a free self-guided walking tour of much of the site. A typical museum visit takes about an hour.

It’s a worthwhile stop because it provides context for a landscape you’ll see throughout your Ocoee trip. Copper mining began shaping this area in the 1800s, and understanding that history adds another layer to exploring Copperhill, Ducktown and the surrounding mountains.

Best for: History lovers, families and travelers looking for a quieter activity between outdoor adventures.

5. Make a Stop at Mercier Orchards

If your Ocoee trip takes you toward Blue Ridge, Georgia, Mercier Orchards is an easy addition to a weekend itinerary.

The fourth-generation, family-owned orchard has been operating since 1943 and has grown into one of the area’s best-known agritourism destinations. Depending on the season, visitors can find U-Pick fruit events, tractor tours and other farm activities. There’s also a market and bakery where you can pick up seasonal fruit, cider, fried pies and other treats.

What’s available changes throughout the year. Mercier grows strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches and more than 40 varieties of apples, so it’s worth checking the orchard’s current schedule rather than assuming U-Pick will be available during your visit.

Best for: Families, couples, food lovers and fall weekend trips.

6. Drive a Tank at Tank Town USA

For an adventure that has absolutely nothing to do with whitewater, head toward Blue Ridge and Tank Town USA.

Rather than simply looking at military-style vehicles and heavy equipment, Tank Town USA is built around hands-on driving experiences. Depending on the experience you reserve, visitors can get behind the controls of tanks or construction equipment.

It’s certainly one of the more unusual attractions you can pair with an Ocoee River trip—and a good option if your group is looking for an activity that’s still adventurous without putting everyone back on the water.

How Do You Add Tank Town USA to an Ocoee Trip?

The easiest approach is to make Tank Town USA part of a Blue Ridge day rather than trying to squeeze it immediately around your rafting departure. Experiences may require advance reservations and take more planning than simply stopping at an overlook or trail.

If you’re staying for a weekend, consider rafting one day and visiting Tank Town USA and Blue Ridge the next. That leaves enough time to enjoy both experiences without worrying about getting back for a scheduled river departure.

Best for: Adventure seekers, families with older kids and groups looking for something unusual.

7. Spend Some Time in Blue Ridge, Georgia

If you’re already visiting Mercier Orchards or Tank Town USA, leave some time for downtown Blue Ridge.

The mountain town offers restaurants, shops and galleries and can provide an easy change of pace after an outdoor-heavy day. It’s especially useful when you’re traveling with a group where not everyone wants to spend an entire weekend hiking, rafting, or biking.

Pair Blue Ridge with Mercier Orchards for a more relaxed day, or add it after Tank Town USA before heading back toward the Ocoee area.

Best for: Couples, families and anyone looking to balance outdoor adventure with dining and shopping.

How to Plan an Ocoee River Weekend

You don’t need to fit everything into one day. In fact, the Ocoee area is better suited to a weekend.

A simple itinerary could look like this:

Day 1: Arrive in the Copperhill area, visit the Ducktown Basin Museum, and spend the evening exploring the area.

Day 2: Make rafting your main event. Whitewater Express’s Middle Ocoee trip covers approximately five miles and 27 rapids, with Class III–IV whitewater. Allow about three hours for the rafting experience rather than trying to squeeze it between several other timed activities.

Day 3: Hike or explore the Cherokee National Forest, or head toward Blue Ridge for Mercier Orchards, Tank Town USA and downtown.

Whitewater Express’s Ocoee rafting season generally runs weekends from mid-March through Memorial Day, Thursday through Monday during the summer, and weekends from Labor Day through late October. If rafting is the centerpiece of your trip, reserve that first and build the rest of your itinerary around your river departure.

Make the Ocoee More Than a Day Trip

The Ocoee River is a destination in its own right, but the surrounding area gives you plenty of reasons to stay longer.

You can spend one day navigating whitewater, another hiking through the Cherokee National Forest, and still have time to learn about the Copper Basin’s mining history or head toward Blue Ridge for an afternoon at the orchard.

The key is to plan around your rafting reservation first, especially during the summer and on busy weekends. From there, choose the surrounding attractions that fit your group rather than trying to check every stop off a list.

Whether your ideal weekend means Class III–IV rapids, quiet trails, local history, fresh apples, or driving a tank, there’s much more to explore around the Ocoee than the river alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do Near the Ocoee River

What outdoor activities are available near the Ocoee River besides rafting?

The Ocoee area offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping, paddling and scenic recreation throughout the Cherokee National Forest. Visitors can also explore trails and recreation areas near the Upper Ocoee and former Ocoee Whitewater Center site.

Is Mercier Orchards worth visiting after Ocoee River rafting?

Yes. Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge is a good addition for families, couples and visitors turning their rafting trip into a weekend getaway. Depending on the season, activities include U-Pick fruit, tractor tours and visits to the farm market and bakery.

What is Tank Town USA?

Tank Town USA is an adventure attraction near Blue Ridge where visitors can reserve hands-on experiences involving tanks and heavy equipment. Because experiences may need to be reserved, it’s best planned in advance rather than treated as a spontaneous stop.

Can you hike and picnic near the Ocoee Whitewater Center?

The area surrounding the former Ocoee Whitewater Center is part of the Cherokee National Forest and has historically provided access to trails and outdoor recreation. The original center building was destroyed by fire in 2022, so check current U.S. Forest Service conditions and facility availability before visiting.

What can you learn at the Ducktown Basin Museum?

The Ducktown Basin Museum covers the Copper Basin’s copper-mining and sulfuric acid industries, as well as the people and communities shaped by them. The museum occupies the historic Burra Burra Mine site and includes artifacts, photographs, historic structures and a self-guided outdoor tour.

Is the Ocoee River in the Cherokee National Forest?

Yes. Much of the Ocoee River corridor runs through the Cherokee National Forest in southeastern Tennessee. For visitors, that means a rafting trip can easily be paired with hiking, fishing, camping and other outdoor recreation on surrounding public lands.