For those of us that live in North Georgia and Southeast Tennessee, the Ocoee Whitewater Center has been a mainstay for the whitewater enthusiasts. The center was specifically built for the whitewater events to be held for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. This was the only Olympics in North America to feature whitewater sports, so this was a unique venue for kayakers in all of the Western Hemisphere. Since the Olympics, the OWC has drawn, on average, 300,000 visitors each year. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Though the slalom still exists and was undamaged by the fire, the large building used for major events is gone. This was a world-class rustic structure built with the kinds of funds you might expect for an Olympic venue.
Ocoee Whitewater Center, which hosted #kayak and #canoe, leaves many “at a loss for words” after devastating fire. Olympic loss – Historic kayak and slalom venue constructed for Atlanta 1996 burns down.
Read more: https://t.co/xoF3zrM8Nn pic.twitter.com/Z0xUchgwMH— Around the Rings (@aroundtherings) April 27, 2022
Fire Destroys OWC
Just after midnight on April 26 this year, someone passing by the center reported the fire to authorities. Fire agencies from several areas were able to put the fire out completely. There were no injuries, however the building was a total loss. The building closed because of Covid-19. The building scheduled to reopen at the end of this month to kick off the summer whitewater rafting season.
Other Activities At OWC
From the OWC website:
Since the 1996 Olympics, the center has become a hub for outdoor recreational activities, drawing some 300,000 visitors each year. There are more than 30 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers, including the looped Bear Paw and Chestnut Mountain trails, and the Thunder Rock Express. The Old Copper Road Historic Trail allows hikers and bikers an easier paced adventure along the restored path, which was formerly used to transport copper by wagon from Ducktown to Cleveland before the arrival of the railroad from Blue Ridge. The Rhododendron Trail follows the river downstream with sections built on wood walkways above the Ocoee River.
Whitewater activity generally runs from June to September when releases from Lake Blue Ridge dam increase the flow of the water on the Toccoa/Ocoee River.
Interpretive hikes on the Old Copper Road Trail are offered.
Conservation Education programs can be scheduled for students.
Amenities: Restrooms, potable water, picnic area, and gift shop offering a selection of local crafts, souvenirs and outdoor wear. Fuel, food, shopping and sleeping accommodations are available in Ducktown, Copperhill, Benton and Cleveland, Tenn., reachable in under an hour.
Hours of operation: The center is open from 9 a.m-5 p.m. daily from mid-March to mid-November and from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-November to mid-March; closed Christmas and New Year’s weekends. The outdoor areas are open year-round.
These were the hours of operation before the fire. The following announcement posted on the US Forest Service Ocoee Whitewater Center webpage:
The OWC lower day-use area will open May 22. The building/visitor center and upper restrooms remain closed – opening to be determined. Visitors are advised to bring their own hand sanitizer/soap because it will not be available.
We saw the TBI and Cherokee National Forest on scene at the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Polk County this afternoon.
The building is a total loss, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Smoke and ashes can still be seen.
It’s a major loss for this community. pic.twitter.com/sLuSCAWEwz
— Eric Benninghoff (@EricBenninghoff) April 26, 2022
Looking Ahead
It’s been a while for me since I went whitewater rafting. I just might have to schedule a trip so I can write about it and give an update on the rebuild of the new center. I found this piece of info that I was unaware of before reading The Tennessee River Valley page on the Ocoee Whitewater Center:
The Tanasi Bike Trail System, one of the best mountain biking opportunities in the southeast, is also located here. With more than 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, visitors can choose leisurely walks or mountain bike rides on shady riverside trails or a blistering, high energy trek down the Thunder Rock Express. Or spread a picnic under a shade tree by the river, or swim in the “blue holes” when the water level is down.
Native gardens honoring Olympic athletes and Cherokee Indians invite visitors to stroll through the grounds. A historic trail, built by Cherokee Indians and used by 19th century miners to transport copper ore by mules and wagons follows the river upstream. Along the way visitors can see rock formations.
Be sure to visit the gift shop, which offers a selection of local artists’ creations, nature oriented souvenirs and outdoor wear.
Hike the Rhododendron Trail, which follows the river downstream with sections built on wood walkways above the Ocoee River.
I believe it’s time dust off the trail bike and helmet to explore this bike trail system. Hiking the Rhododendron Trail is definitely on the to-do list. Exciting times ahead for this area.
I sincerely hope the National Forest Service will rebuild the Whitewater Center. It was the mecca of whitewater athletes east of the Mississippi. Ask anyone who is into kayaking or rafting and they’ll mention the Colorado River followed by the Ocoee River where the Ocoee Whitewater Center was located. It’s a huge loss and it will be very expensive to replace, but it’s the only right thing to do. It was too beautiful to not be standing once more.
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Be blessed and safe travels!!!
