
The Legendary Ocoee River – The Ultimate in White Water Rafting!
The Ocoee River has become recognized as the ultimate river for Tennessee rafting since it was chosen as the venue for the 1996 Olympic whitewater events. Boasting the most continuous class III and IV rapids of any river in the United States, the Ocoee River will give you a romping, rollicking ride through the scenic Ocoee Gorge.
Rolling Thunder River Company has become the preferred Ocoee River Rafting company with over 40 years of experience providing top of the line rafting trips. Since 1977, over a million guests have chosen and trusted Rolling Thunder to provide them with memorable river trips. We want you to leave us feeling that your time and money were well spent and, more importantly, with a newly discovered passion for the sport of whitewater rafting.
Ocoee Whitewater Rafting is a low cost, high value experience which will enhance your visit to these majestic mountains. Offering two separate sections of surging whitewater, the Ocoee River is THE rafting destination in the Southeast. You can spend a half day rafting one section or all day and raft both sections in the same trip. It’s your choice.
What To Bring
Protective Footwear
For your safety, all rafters must wear securely fitted shoes.
Tennis shoes, water shoes or sandals with heel straps are fine. Flip flops or bare feet are not acceptable.
In warmer weather wear quick drying shorts and a tee shirt. You don’t want to wear heavy clothes such as sweat pants or blue jeans. Quick-drying materials such as nylon are a good choice.
If the weather is chilly, try to wear polypropylene or synthetic fleece fabrics. Cotton is not a good choice during cooler weather.
In the event of rain, we will provide rain jackets free of charge.
If you feel you must wear glasses of some kind, at least secure them with a string or head strap.
We sell head straps at our rafting centers as well as inexpensive sunglasses.
What to bring
Bring a towel. You will get wet!
Dry clothes and shoes.
Plastic bag for your wet clothes.
What NOT To Bring On The River
Valuable jewelry
Cell phones, wallets or expensive cameras
Car keys (trust us one this one!)
We sell waterproof one-time use cameras at our center which is your safest option if you want a camera with you on the rive
Camping & Lodging
Bed & Breakfast
- Aska Lodge B&B – Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast – Blue Ridge, GA
- English Manor House Bed and Breakfast – Morganton, GA
- Escape to Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, GA
- Firefly Lodge & Retreat Mineral Bluff, GA
- Horse Creek Stable Bed and Breakfast Mineral Bluff, GA
- The Company House Ducktown, TN
Cabin Rental Companies
- 1 My Mountain Cabin Rentals,LLC Morganton, GA
- A Blue Ridge Vacation Blue Ridge, GA
- Above the Rest Luxury Cabins Blue Ridge, GA
- Acorn & Mountain Escapes Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Avenair Mountain Cabin Rental Blue Ridge, GA
- Black Bear Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Ridge Treehouse @ Bear Claw Vineyards Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Rock Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Sky Cabin Rentals East Ellijay, GA
- Cabin Rentals of Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, GA
- Cabin Rentals of Georgia Blue Ridge, GA
- Copperhead Lodge Blairsville, GA
- Copperhill Country Cabins Copperhill, TN
- Crossrock Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals, Inc. McCaysville, GA
- Enchanted Mountain Retreats, Inc. Blairsville, GA
- Escape to Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, GA
- Georgia Mountain Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Hidden Key Properties, LLC Ellijay, GA
- Majestic Mountain Getaways, Inc. Blairsville, GA
- Morning Breeze Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Mountain Getaway Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Mountain Laurel Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Mountain Oasis Cabin Rentals Ellijay, GA
- Mountain Paws Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Mountain River Cabins, L.L.C. Blue Ridge, GA
- Mountain Top Cabin Rentals, LLC Blue Ridge, GA
- Naples Blue Ridge, LLC Blue Ridge, GA
- Nevaeh Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Paradise Hills, Resort & Spa Blairsville, GA
- Sliding Rock Cabins Ellijay, GA
- Southern Comfort Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- Stress Buster Vacation Rentals & Property Management Ellijay, GA
- Sundance Cabin Rentals Blue Ridge, GA
- The Last Resort Blue Ridge, GA
Cabin Rentals by Owner
- 3 Bears Cabin Blue Ridge,
- 5 Star Lodge & Stables Morganton, GA
- A River Retreat Blue Ridge, GA
- A Shady Springs Cottage Blue Ridge, GA
- A Simple Pleasure Cabin Rental Blue Ridge, GA
- Bellcamp Cabin Blue Ridge, GA
- Black Dog of Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, GA
- Blanche Manor Lodge Copperhill, TN
- Blue Ridge Luxury Cabin – Solitude Blue Ridge, GA
- Bord d Eau Toccoa River Cabin Mineral Bluff, GA
- Cabintheclouds Blue Ridge, GA
- Cox Farmhouse, LLC Blue Ridge, Ga
- Creekside Cabin Sleeps 8 Blue Ridge, GA
- Deer Watch Cabin Rental Blue Ridge, Ga
- Eagles Rest Blue Ridge, Ga
- Eskape Rentals, LLC Blue Ridge, GA
- Firefly Lodge & Retrea tMineral Bluff, GA
- Georgia Luxury Vacation Rentals – Buckhorn Lodge Blue Ridge, GA
- KD in the Mounties Mineral Bluff, GA
- River Dwelling Blue Ridge, GA
- Shady Springs Cabin Blue Ridge, GA
- Sunrise Splendor Mineral Bluff, GA
- The Toccoa Lodge Blue Ridge, GA
- Toccoa House Properties, LLC Blue Ridge, GA
- Tuckaway Ridge Blue Ridge, GA
- Valhalla Ellijay, GA
- Whispering Pines Campground Morganton, GA
Campgrounds
- Blue Ridge Lodge * R.V. Park Morganton, GA
- Jonica Gap Campground Mineral Bluff, GA
- Morganton Point Campground and Recreation Area Morganton, GA
- Toccoa Valley Campground – Tubing Blue Ridge, GA
- Whispering Pines Campground Morganton, GA
Lodge
- 5 Star Lodge & Stables Morganton, GA
- Blue Ridge Lodge * R.V. Park Morganton, GA
- Copperhead Lodge Blairsville, GA
- Firefly Fishing Lodge Mineral Bluff, GA
- Firefly Lodge & Retreat Mineral Bluff, GA
- Georgia Luxury Vacation Rentals – Buckhorn Lodge Blue Ridge, GA
- Oyster Cast & Blast Inn Blue Ridge, GA
Hotels / Motels
- Americas Best Value Inn Blue Ridge, GA
- Best Western Mountain View Inn East Ellijay, GA
- Blue Ridge Lodge * R.V. Park Morganton, GA
- Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa Young Harris, GA
- Comfort Inn & Suites Blue Ridge, GA
- Copperhead Lodge Blairsville, GA
- Douglas Inn & Suites Blue Ridge, GA
- Reid Ridge Lodge Blue Ridge, GA
- Serenity Luxury Suites Blue Ridge, GA
Treehouse
- Blue Ridge Treehouse @ Bear Claw Vineyards Blue Ridge, GA
Upper
This 5 mile section will take you through the actual one mile Olympic whitewater course which was used during the 1996 Olympics. This section is only open for rafting on a limited number of weekends during the summer. Our trip schedule will show you all of your options on any give date. You’ll meet in your face rapids such as Godzilla and Humongous.
Trip Details
Minimum Age: 12 years of age.
Guided: A certified guide will be in each raft.
Adventure Level: Exciting but not extreme.
Trip Length: 5 miles on the river.
Time on River: Allow three and a half hours for the entire process; about an hour and half to an hour and forty-five minutes on the river.
Price Includes: A certified guide, all equipment, splash jackets if needed, transportation to and from the river and any applicable taxes, river fees, etc.
Middle
With the thundering roar of the dam behind you, you will launch your raft into the five miles of surging river called the Middle section. Just minutes after launching your raft into the river, you will meet your first rapid of the trip-the class IV known as Grumpy’s. From there it is almost non-stop action until you finish your trip with a drenching ride through Hell Hole. Our trip schedule will show you all of your options on any given date.
Trip Details
Minimum Age: 12 years of age
Guided: A certified guide will be in each raft
Adventure Level: Exciting but not extreme.
Trip Length: 5 miles on the river
Time on the River: Allow three and a half hours for the entire process; about an hour and half to an hour and forty-five minutes on the river
Price Includes: A certified guide, all equipment, splash jackets if needed, transportation to and from the river and any applicable taxes, river fees, etc.
Double Trouble / Full River
You will raft both the Middle and the Upper sections in the same day and stop for a delicious catered lunch on the river.
Minimum Age: 12 years of age.
Guided: A certified guide will be in each raft.
Adventure Level: Exciting but not extreme.
Trip Length: About 10 miles total on the river.
Time on the River: Approximately six hours-three hours on the river.
Price Includes: A certified guide, all equipment, splash jackets if needed, transportation to and from the river and any applicable taxes, river fees, etc.
Double Trouble Express / Full River
Our newest trip option, Double Trouble Express will raft both sections of the river with only a brief stop for a restroom break and a quick snack. This trip will be offered only during our peak times in July and August. Our trip schedule will show you what options you have on any given date.
Guided: A certified guide will be in each raft.
Adventure Level: Exciting but not extreme.
Trip Length: About 10 miles total on the river.
Time on the River: Approximately 5 hours-3 hours on the river.
Price Includes: A certified guide, all equipment, splash jackets if needed, transportation to and from the river and any applicable taxes, river fees, etc.