Nestled in the Foot Hills of the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains
Ocoee River Rafting
The only experience you'll need is ours!
www.rollingthunderriverco.com
During this five mile trip down the traditional Middle section, everyone in the raft works as a team and paddles upon commands from their guide. Our raft guides are seasoned river runners who will steer you through such memorable rapids as Slice N’ Dice, Slingshot and Broken Nose. Whitewater rafting beginners as well as more experienced rafters can all enjoy this fun-filled and exhilarating ride through the rocky, scenic gorge of the Ocoee River.
The Upper section of the Ocoee, the actual Olympic course, is only available for rafting for a limited number of days each season resulting in a high demand for those particular dates. On these special Upper days, Rolling Thunder offers Double Trouble, a raft trip which doubles the fun and adrenaline by running both the traditional section and the Olympic course in the same afternoon. Due to the popularity of these trips, reservations are required to guarantee your seat.
Trips begin and end at Rolling Thunder’s easy to find Ocoee rafting center in McCaysville, Georgia where we have hot showers, camping sites, picnic areas, bunk rooms, volleyball and a retail store.
Our rafting center is located on the gentle headwaters of the Ocoee (called the Toccoa when it crosses into Georgia), where inner tubing and canoeing are popular with those guests not ready for whitewater trips.
Our whitewater rafting trips on the Ocoee River only go out on weekends during the months of April, May, September and October. Our trips go out every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the months of June, July and August.
Gentle, Easy Water on the Toccoa River
Tubing
The Toccoa River is perfect for those people who just want to relax and enjoy the gentle flow of the water. This river is actually the headwaters of Tennessee’s Ocoee River but changes its name to the Toccoa when it crosses the line into Georgia.
Colorful inner tubes, kayaks and canoes provide a cool and refreshing way to have fun and relax on a hot summer day on the Toccoa River. Our colorful vinyl inner tubes with handles are designed for your comfort. We do not use black tire tubes which can get very hot and uncomfortable in the sun. We also offer "snuggle tubes" which carry two people. Reservations are not necessary for inner tubes unless you have a group of 15 or more people.
The Toccoa River is a dam-controlled river and TVA releases water daily. Water levels and speed can change significantly after water is released. At low water, the river is shallower and slower. At high water, the river rises 2 to 3 feet and picks up speed considerably. We offer a 1.5-mile and a 6- mile float trip. Under natural conditions with no water release, our 1.5-mile trip can take up to one hour; after water is released it may take only 20 minutes.
Under natural conditions with no water release, our 6-mile trip can take up to 6 hours; after water is released, it may take only 2 hours. Water release is controlled by TVA and subject to change without notice. TVA does not make the water release times available to us ahead of time so we are unable to be more specific regarding how long it will take you to get down the river. We suggest you get to the river, see how the river is running and then decide if you want the short trip or the long trip.
The depth of the water changes from place to place in the river and there may be small rapids and rocks along the way. This trip is suitable for most people who can swim but there is risk associated with all water related activities and you will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to beginning your river trip.
People paddling in canoes, funyaks and kayaks usually get down the river faster than those people floating on inner tubes.
Children must be at least 5 years of age to engage in any activity on the Toccoa River. Rolling Thunder will provide life jackets and children must keep them securely fastened at all times while on the river. There are no life guards or safety personnel on the river so parents are responsible for their children. Be sure to wear shoes which fit securely to your feet - no flip flops.
We do not have set departure times for the Toccoa trips. Bus shuttles run all day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Prior to Memorial Day, the Toccoa trips only run on Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends are always our busiest times so you may experience a short wait time. We shuttle you up the river and you float back down to our center where you left your car so you don't have to wait for a shuttle to pick you up. We have a bathhouse with hot showers for you to use after your river trip.
Directions
Going north on 515 in Blue Ridge, GA, take a left onto highway 5 north. (You will see a McDonalds and a Waffle House on the left and a bank on the right.) Take highway 5 north till it ends in McCaysville/Copper Hill. Turn right on 60 south towards Mineral Bluff. Follow 60 south 1/2 mile out of McCaysville towards Mineral Bluff. Rolling Thunder will be on your left. Parking is on the right by the river.
The Ocoee River offers two separate “hang onto your helmet” sections of big waves, large drops and surging whitewater. This Tennessee river was the site for the whitewater canoe and kayaking events of the 1996 Olympic Games. The Ocoee River produces the most continuous stretch of Class III and IV rapids of any river in the country.
