Middle Ocoee River White Water Rafting Adventure in Ocoee, TN

Where do I go to check-in?

This white water rafting trip departs at Quest Expeditions at 281 US Highway 64, Ocoee, Tennessee 37361.

Who can participate?

Just about everyone can go whitewater rafting. No experience is necessary. It does require paddling and walking on uneven terrain and you will get wet. Every raft is accompanied by a trained guide who will go over a complete safety orientation with you prior to the trip and will be with you all the way down the river. Participants must be in good health and have a chest size no larger than 56 inches. Please note they cannot allow pregnant women to raft. Accommodations depend on the disability. Each trip has a first aid raft with a dry box. Insulin, medications, inhalers, epi-pins, etc. can be carried in the dry box on your raft so that you have easy access to it.

Is this trip appropriate for children?

Tennessee state law requires that you must be 12 years of age to go rafting on the Ocoee River. All minors are required to have a signature on the waiver from a parent or legal guardian signifying that he/she is of the proper age.

How long are the trips?

Tour duration is approximately 4 hours, including about 2 hours on the water.

Is this experience safe?

Quest has been providing whitewater rafting trips for 32 years with an excellent safety record and any of their guides and all trip leaders have advanced certifications such as a Wilderness First Responder Certification. They take every reasonable precaution to keep you safe but there are inherent risks when participating in an outdoor activity such as whitewater rafting. It is possible to fall out of the raft as that is an inherent risk of whitewater rafting. You should be comfortable in moving water and be able to assist with your own rescue in the event you fall out of the raft. However, they strive to keep everyone in the raft. Each participant is required to sign a release of liability waiver.

How are the rapids rated?

Rapids are rated on a difficulty scale between I and VI. Class I rapids are the easiest and class VI rapid are the most difficult. A rating of 1 to 6 is a scale of difficulty and danger. The scale is not to be used in considering the fun factor of a river run. On this trip, you’ll experience 5 miles of continuous class III and IV whitewater with over 17 major rapids. This section provides warm summer water with large waves, challenging rapids, beautiful mountains and endless fun. Exciting whitewater flows through a deep gorge in the National Forest, dropping 56 feet per mile.

Do they have self-bailing rafts?

Yes, they use self-bailing rafts that are 13 to 14 feet in length and specifically designed for whitewater use. The rafts are designed for 7 to 8 rafters; they generally have up to six participants in a raft plus the guide.

How many people are there per raft?

There will be up to 6 guests plus 1 guide in each raft. They 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, they will fill one raft and the rest will go into another raft.

What should I wear?

In warm weather wear shorts, a bathing suit and a t-shirt. In cool weather bring a wool, fleece or polyester top and pants, NO Cotton as it has no insulating value once it is wet. They provide splash jackets and pants to go over your clothes on cool days at no additional cost. You must wear some type of shoes with backs on the river, NO FLIP FLOPS or shoes without backs.

What type of facilities does Quest Expedition have?

Quest offers large changing rooms and hot showers for your use before and after your trip. Don’t forget to bring a towel, toiletry items and a plastic bag for your wet items. You will lock all personal belongings in your vehicle and you can check your car keys in the office while on your trip. If you arrive on a motorcycle, you can store your personal belongings and helmets in the office.

Can I bring a camera?

They highly discourage visitors to bring a camera on board aside from mounted ones. Photos are taken on all trips and will be available at the outpost immediately after your trip. You can purchase an 8×10 print or a JPEG file on CD. The copyright is released on JPEG files only. You can also purchase your photos online after your trip. Photos will be online for 2 weeks.

What if it rains?

Trips go rain or shine; rafting is the perfect rainy-day activity as you are going to get wet anyway. On cool days they splash jackets and pants are provided at no additional cost. In the event of severe lightning, trips may be delayed or will stop and pull over along the bank. Keep in mind that the river is in a deep gorge with high ridgelines and trees so exposure to the river is minimal.

Can we have a picnic or cookout in the outpost?

Yes, you can! Quest Expeditions has a covered picnic area and charcoal grills for use before or after your trip as well as a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pit.

Is alcohol permitted?

Absolutely no alcohol is permitted on the river or before your trip. Anyone impaired by drugs or alcohol before the trip will be excluded from participation without a refund. Alcohol may be consumed responsibly after the trip once you have arrived back at the outpost.