MEET OUR GUIDES
REBEKAH
Ocoee River Raft Guide
MADDIE
Ocoee River Raft Guide
BRETT
Ocoee River Raft Guide
DYLAN
Ocoee River Raft Guide
DAWSON
Ocoee River Raft Guide
THOMAS
Ocoee River Raft Guide
NATHAN
Ocoee River Raft Guide
MADELINE
Ocoee River Raft Guide
KYLE
Ocoee River Raft Guide
AARON
Cherokee Operations Manager
Aaron Benavides
Crossfit? First off, I do REAL sports. I’m a Texan with lots of opinions and pretty hair. My life is about as organized as the $5 DVD bin at Wal-Mart. I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around. I also enjoy eating my tacos over another tortilla. That way when the stuff falls out…BOOM! Another taco!
Cade Puckett
Hello! My name is Cade. I’ve lived 30 minutes away from the Ocoee River my whole life. It wasn’t until my first day of training that I finally had a chance to raft it. After that first trip, I was hooked. I love this job each and every day. During the school year, I’m currently aerospace engineering at UT Knoxville. I look forward to coming home every summer to raft! Ask for me, we’ll have a blast!
Josh Sofield
How’s it going guys? My name is Josh and I’m known as the Bull rider here at Cherokee, got the name from having rode bulls in rodeos for about ten years. I traded in my chaps and spurs for a life vest and a paddle in 1994 and have been on the water ever since! I live in Birchwood, TN and ride horses with my three growing girls. We’re all river rats, with the Ocoee running through our veins. We’d love to have you join us!
Katie Summers
Rafting has been a friend of mine for over a decade now and I can honestly say it is one of my favorite things in the whole world! This community and its people are awesome and have taken me on some excellent adventures. I have lived all over the U.S. playing outdoors and learning new things. The beautiful Ocoee has always brought me back home. I now live on a mini-farm in Cleveland, TN. I have horses, dogs, chickens, my garden and my flowers. I recently obtained my AEMT license and am looking forward to an exciting new career in Emergency Services. I am so glad to know that the Ocoee and my river friends and family will always be there to go play with me when I want to. Now jump in and Let’s GO! “Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” –Amelia Earhart
VIVIAN
I grew up traveling from my hometown in Georgia to the Ocoee and always enjoyed my trips down the river, so when I started University in Chattanooga decided that I needed to find my way to the water and let me tell you it was the right decision. I have loved every second guiding and taking people like you down the river, so come rafting! It would be a pleasure to show you one of my favorite places on Earth!
Jimmy Campbell
The river is a great place to relax and meet new interesting people. I’ve been running the Ocoee since 1989 as a river guide and have enjoyed each exhilarating moment. We experience a closeness as friends that make you feel like family. Although, I have a full time job, I ALWAYS look forward to being with my river family and making new friends on the Ocoee!
Michael Caywood
Hi. I’m Michael Cawood. I’ve been guiding on the Ocoee since 1986 and have paddled on many rivers throughout the Southeast. I am originally from Cleveland, TN where I also pastor a church. I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 children, fishing, hiking and spending as much time as possible in the great outdoors.
Mike Trawick
I’m originally from West Virginia, where I guided on the New and Gauley Rivers. After being introduced to Cherokee Rafting and the Ocoee River in 1989, it quickly became my whitewater rafting home. I’m able to leave the corporate world behind when I’m at Cherokee Rafting, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
COVID-19 UPDATE
Our doors are opened again to guests, and we are following CDC and local government guidelines in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus. This includes frequent sanitation of gear and equipment, office, bath houses and buses. We also encourage the use of face masks when in the outpost or on the bus. Additionally, we suggest that you book the entire boat (6 seats) when making reservations to ensure that another group will not be placed with yours.
Cherokee Rafting Staff will be required to stay home if they have a fever or have had a fever within the past 48 hours, are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 or have recently been exposed to the virus. We insist that our guests stay home if you or anyone in your group has a fever or has had a fever within the past 48 hours, are experiencing symptoms or have recently been exposed to Covid-19.
Whether you have rafted with Cherokee before or are new to the adventure, we will consider it an honor to get you out on the water and to share the experience of whitewater rafting when this crisis is over. Our office is open if you have any questions or wish to make reservations for later this season.
We hope to see you on the river soon!
Awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence consistently for the past 10 years! Selected by National Geographic as an official destination for Geo-tourism. If there’s any question which rafting company to use for your Ocoee River white water adventure, you’ve found the right place. Grab a paddle, snap your buckles, let’s go! Click the logos to see what they say about Cherokee Rafting!