The location of Ocoee Whitewater Center is just a few miles west of Ocoee Adventure Center. This whitewater center was built to host the whitewater slalom events of the 1996 Olympic Games. During the construction of the whitewater park, one-quarter mile of the river bed was modified. The designers and engineers narrowed the Upper Ocoee’s riverbed from 200 feet to 70 feet in width. As a result, the constricted channel causes the water in the river to increase in speed and power. However, the Ocoee Whitewater Center building burned in 2022. Plans are in the works to rebuild.

Engineering Olympic Whitewater

Rocks precisely placed and cemented in place make this a world class slalom course. The channel was
narrowed by two thirds to increase intensity of the rapids and flow. TVA currently adds a few hundred
cfs (cubic feet per second) to the Olympic level to improve rafting on this section of river. These changes
to the river created the steepest and highest volume Olympic whitewater venue ever used. To this day it
also retains the honor of being the only in-river whitewater course used for the Olympic games.

Blue Hole

The Whitewater Center converted into a visitor center following the Olympics and until a fire destroyed it in early 2022. The former site of the Whitewater Center still offers many attractions including snorkeling and swimming on the weekdays. The Whitewater Center area is also home to miles of historic hiking and biking trails. Along the way, you will find picnic areas and pavilions. On weekends it’s one of the best places in the area to come relax and watch the endless rafts and kayaks brave the Olympic whitewater course.

Questions?

Book our Full Rafting Trip to experience the course firsthand in a raft.