FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekends and large groups. This will help insure availability for your preferred trip date and time. Walk-ins are also welcome when space is available.
Have your group select a couple of dates and times and then call us for the availability of trips. Make your reservation by calling 1-800-451-RAFT (7238) or booking online. We’ll need the date, time, size of group, your name, mailing address, phone numbers, and email address.
Establish a deadline so you can collect the required deposit or full payment from each member of your group. (remember: Children must be 12 years or older to raft the Ocoee).

 * Reservations for Full/Middle River Trips will receive a full refund with a cancellation notice 21 days prior to your trip or arrival date. 21 days to 10 days prior to trip will occur a $15.00 charge per person. No refunds for less than 10 days’ notice.

* Group reservations (parties of 8 or more), all Full River/Middle River Trips  can be cancelled up to 21 days prior to trip/check-in for a full refund. No refunds or vouchers will be issued for cancellations under 21 days regardless of the circumstances unless you purchased the trip cancellation insurance when you initially made your reservation.

* Reservations are non-transferable under the 10-day cancellation date and no allowances of any kind will be made. We strictly follow this policy and we do not make exceptions so please DO NOT ask us to as we will regretfully decline.

* We reserve the right to alter or cancel a trip without prior notice due to conditions beyond our control or in the best interest and safety of the trip. Full refunds will be made if we cancel a trip. Refunds of any kind are limited to the deposit amount or trip price paid. Presenting any form of payment constitutes acceptance of the Reservation, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

* Notice-We do not allow pregnant women or children under the age of 12 to raft. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol and no refunds will be made.

***ALL TRIPS GO RAIN OR SHINE!!!!

 * All refunds for any trip will have a 4% Credit Card/Processing fee removed from any refunded money.

Please purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance to cover unforeseen cancellations.

* Trip Cancellation Insurance can be purchased online or by calling our outpost, please call. Note- Our trips go RAIN or SHINE. Rafting is the perfect rainy-day activity as you are going to get wet one way or another. If you do not want to raft if it is raining you must purchase the trip cancellation insurance. We do not reschedule or refund for inclement weather. If you do not purchase the trip cancellation insurance you are stating that you do not mind the fact that you will lose the full payment made to Cherokee Rafting.

Optional cancellation insurance policy when purchased.

* Trip cancellation insurance reimburses prepaid non-refundable rafting trip price paid to Cherokee Rafting. if you must cancel your rafting trip for any reason 24 hours before your scheduled arrival time.

* Trip cancellation insurance gives you a full reimbursement of your rafting trip price if you call (emails not accepted) and cancel your reservation for any reason 24 hours prior to your scheduled arrival time.

* Cancellations called in (emails not accepted) less than 24 hours up to 4 hours before scheduled arrival time will receive a rafting trip voucher valid for the current year. Vouchers cannot be used on regulated days, holiday weekends or Saturdays in July or August and have no cash value. No payment or vouchers will be provided for late, no-shows or cancellations made after your scheduled arrival time and date. Reimbursement covers only the amount paid to Cherokee Rafting for an Ocoee Whitewater Rafting Trip.

* Any cancellations / no shows under 4 hours are not refundable.

* All Cancellations must be called in on Eastern Time. No exceptions made.  Cost for the “No Hassel” trip cancellation insurance is $5.00/person on Middle or Upper Only trips and $10.00/person on Full Ocoee River Trips.

 * All refunds for any trip will have a 4% Credit Card/Processing fee removed from any refunded money.

DIRECTIONS

FROM CHATTANOOGA, TN (43 miles, 50 minutes) – Take I-75 north towards Knoxville to exit #20, turn right and merge onto the 64 bypass. Travel 6.5 miles to Highway 64 east (Ocoee exit). Take the Ocoee exit and merge onto Highway 64 east and travel 9 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the left.

FROM KNOXVILLE, TN (93 miles, 1 ½ hours) – Take I-75 south to exit #25, turn right at the end of ramp onto Highway 60 south. Travel 4 miles to the Ocoee exit for Highway 64 east. Turn right for the Ocoee exit and merge onto Highway 64 east and travel 9 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the left.

FROM NASHVILLE, TN (170 miles, 3 hours) – Take I-24 east to Chattanooga. At the junction for I-75 in Chattanooga take I-75 north towards Knoxville. Follow directions above From Chattanooga.

FROM ATLANTA, GA (112 miles, 2 – 2 ½ hours) – Take I-75 north to exit #293. Turn right at the end of the ramp and take Highway 411 north for 65 miles to the junction of Highway 64. Make a left turn onto the entrance ramp for Highway 64 East. At the end of the ramp turn right onto Highway 64 and travel 1.5 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the left.

FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL (185 miles, 3 hours) – Take I-59 north towards Chattanooga. At the I-24 junction, take I-24 east to Chattanooga. At the junction for I-75 in Chattanooga, take I-75 north towards Knoxville. Follow directions above From Chattanooga.

FROM HUNTSVILLE, AL (142 miles, 3 hours) – Travel east on Highway 72 to I-24 and take I-24 east to Chattanooga. At the junction for I-75 in Chattanooga, take I-75 north towards Knoxville. Follow directions above From Chattanooga.

FROM ASHEVILLE, NC (160 miles, 3 ½ hours) – Take I-40 west to exit #27. Take exit #27 and follow Highway 74 west to Murphy, N.C. (88 miles). In Murphy, take Highway 64/74 west and travel straight ahead for 49.5 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the right.(approx. 34 miles from the TN/NC state tline)

FROM THE KNOXVILLE AIRPORT AREA – Take Highway 129 to Maryville. Then take Highway 411 south to the junction for Highway 64 (62 miles). Make a right turn onto the entrance ramp for Highway 64 east. At the end of the ramp turn right onto Highway 64 and travel 1.5 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the left.

FROM GATLINBURG, PIGEON FORGE, TOWNSEND AREA (2 to 2 ½ hours) – Take Highway 321 west from Pigeon Forge to Townsend. In Townsend, continue on Hwy. 321 to Maryville then take Highway 411 south to the junction for Highway 64. Make a right turn onto the entrance ramp for Highway 64 east. At the end of the ramp turn right onto Highway 64 and travel 1.5 miles.Cherokee Rafting is on the left.

FROM BLUE RIDGE, GA (39 miles, 1 hour) – Take Highway 5 north to Highway 68 in Copperhill/McCaysville. Turn left and travel on Highway 68 north to Highway 64. Take the ramp to go west on Highway 64 and travel 24.5 miles. Cherokee Rafting is on the right.

LODGING / ACCOMMODATIONS:

Cherokee Rafting has a RV park located 2 miles east of the rafting outpost, we also two night rental apartments. You can book the sites or stay at: www.whitewater-rvpark.com

 

HOTELS
Interstate 75 at exit 27 in Cleveland, TN – Hampton Inn 423-458-1222, Clarion Inn 423-559-1001, Baymont Inn & Suites 423-614-5583, Holiday Inn Express & Suites 423-790-1199

Interstate 75 at exit 25 in Cleveland, TN – Fairfield Inn & Suites 423-664-2501, Douglas Inn & Suites 423-559-5579, Wingate by Wyndham 888-595-2350, Comfort Inn & Suites 423-339-1000

Quality Inn located 1 mile from our outpost on Hwy 64 in Ocoee, TN 423-338-1201 or 855-716-2630

Downtown Chattanooga – Springhill Suites Marriott 423-834-9300, The Chattanooga 800-619-0018, Courtyard Chattanooga 423-755-0871, The Chattanooga Choo Choo 423-266-5000

 

PET LODGING
Ocoee River Dog Daycare and Boarding – Ocoee, TN. 423-457-9652 or visit www.ocoeedogs.com

EVENT CENTERS & MEETING FACILITIES
Hiwassee River Wedding & Events- located on the Hiwassee River in Delano, TN. This timber-frame event center can accommodate groups of up to 300. 423-836-6681 or visit www.hiwasseeriverweddings.com

Do you need previous whitewater experience? Who can participate?
No experience is necessary! Just about everyone can go whitewater rafting. Every raft is accompanied by a trained guide who will be with you all the way down river. Participants must be in good health and have a chest size no larger than 56 inches. Please note we cannot allow pregnant women to raft. The most important skill you can have is the ability to listen to your guide and follow your guide’s instructions. Please listen to and obey your guide. They want you to have great fun, but they also want everyone to be safe. Cherokee Rafting reserves the right to remove any individual from a white water rafting trip if their behavior in any way interferes with safety. Don’t forget…PADDLE HARD!

Is there a minimum age?
Yes. You must be at least 12 years old to raft the Ocoee River. This rule is set by the State of Tennessee.

Can a person with a medical condition or disability still go rafting?
Please remember that outdoor recreation activities can be strenuous and dangerous. You must be in good physical health. However, depending on your condition or disability, we may still be able to accommodate you. We always recommend notifying your physician if there are any questions about participating. Please call us to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Insulin, medications, inhalers, epi-pens, etc. can be carried in our medical kits in case you need them on the trip. We ask that you clear any special medical needs with the front office staff and Trip Leader prior to departure. We do not allow pregnant women to raft.

Do people fall out of the raft?
Due to the inherent risk of whitewater rafting, yes it is possible to fall out of the raft. In the event you do fall out of the raft, you should be comfortable in swift moving water and be able to assist with your own rescue. However we do strive to keep everyone in the raft. Each participant is required to sign a release of liability waiver.

Is whitewater rafting safe?
Cherokee Rafting has been providing whitewater rafting trips since 1978 with an excellent safety record. All of our guides go through an extensive training program and are also certified in CPR and First Aid. Several of our guides and all trip leaders have advanced certifications such as a Wilderness First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician certifications. We take every reasonable precaution to keep you safe but there are inherent risks when participating in an outdoor activity such as whitewater rafting which include rocks, uneven terrain, waves, holes, ledges, trees, etc. All participants are required to sign a release of liability waiver before their trip.

What size are your rafts and how many people fit in each one?
We use self-bailing rafts that are 11.5 – 13 feet in length and specifically designed for whitewater use. The rafts are designed for 6 rafters, we generally fill them up with six rafting participants plus the guide. We cannot guarantee that you will be seated together unless you make your reservations together under one name. If your reservation is for more than 6 people, we will fill one raft and the rest will go into another raft unless space is available to split you differently.

What do I do with my personal belongings and keys while on the trip?
You will lock all personal belongings in your vehicle. You can check your car keys in the office while on your trip.

What to bring and wear?
Wear secure shoes for rafting (old sneakers, river sandals, water shoes (no flip flops or crocs) and bring swim suits, tee shirt and shorts, or other comfortable clothes to get wet in. Bring a towel, dry shoes and clothing for the trip home. A plastic bag is a good idea for wet clothes. For cooler months (April, May, Sept. & Oct.), we recommend that you don’t wear cotton. Synthetic fibers or clothing works best that time of the year.

Where do we change?
Our facilities include restrooms with hot showers and changing areas.

What gear does Cherokee Rafting supply?
We supply each guest with a helmet, paddle, and type V PFD (personal flotation device). Splash jackets are also available free of charge on cool days.

What happens if it rains?
You get wet! LOL…Just a little earlier than you thought. Keep in mind that we raft rain or shine. Whitewater rafting is one sport in which you can expect to get wet from start to finish. Typically, we won’t cancel your trip because of weather. Rainy days are actually quite beautiful in the Ocoee River gorge. We have been known to delay trips because of lightning or extremely severe weather, but very rarely do we ever have to cancel a trip because of bad weather.

Is it Ok to bring a cooler?
Nothing goes in the raft but you and your gear. Our rafts do not have enough space for guests plus drybags or personal items. However, whitewater rafting is a hungry kind of sport. You are welcome to bring some snacks or a picnic lunch. We have a multi-purpose building/pavilion available for dining, meetings, and social gatherings that you can use before or after your trip. FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OURS – No alcoholic beverages are allowed to be consumed before or during the trip.

How long is the trip?
The Middle and Upper Ocoee sections are both approximately five miles long and take about 1.5 to 2 hours to run. The Full River trip is approximately 10 miles long and takes about 4.5 to 5 hours to run, including your lunch time. You will receive instructions and river information during our trip talk and have some time to practice with your guide before you begin your trip. There is also a short ride to and from the river on our bus. For Middle and Upper river trips, plan to spend 3 to 3.5 hours total with us. For Full River trips, plan to spend 6 hours with us.

Should I tip my guide?
Our guides are paid by the trip. You are not required to tip your guide, however, if you thoroughly enjoyed your experience and want to express you appreciation to your guide, gratuities are genuinely appreciated. You may want to consider bringing a little extra cash just in case. For Middle Ocoee trips, typical amounts are $30-$50 per Raft. On Full River combos/Adventure Trips, typical amounts are $50-80 per Raft. The amount you are comfortable with giving is certainly up to you.

How are the rapids rated?
Rapids are rated on difficulty scale between I & VI. Class I rapids are the easiest, and class VI rapids are the most difficult. The ratings scale indicates the difficulty and danger level. We hope you will rate your river trip a perfect 10 on the fun and excitement scale. The Ocoee River is rated as a class III & IV whitewater river and remains one of the most exciting and fun trips available in the United States.

Here’s an example of the National Whitewater Rapid Rating System:

CLASS I – easy float, flat water
CLASS II – novice; wide, clear passages
CLASS III – intermediate; difficult waves, narrow technical passages
CLASS IV – challenging, with intense, powerful rapids
CLASS V – expert; complex and demanding, large drops
CLASS VI – rarely run, dangerous and hazardous to life
What is a cap day?
On certain days during the summer, usually in July and August, the State of Tennessee limits the number of guests an outfitter can take on the Ocoee River. This helps prevent overcrowding. When this number has been reached the outfitter has reached “capacity”. Advanced reservations are advised if your group has chosen a cap day.

Can I request a guide?
Of course! Some folks return year after year to ride with their favorite guide. If you have been with us before and enjoyed your guide…just ask for them. We will do our best to honor your request.

Do you all take photos during the trip?
Yes. Photos are taken by a separate company called Digital Ocoee. Photos for all trips will be available at the outpost immediately after your trip. You will receive a link to download your trip photos via Dropbox.