A Summer Olympics Wonder!
A drive on Hwy 64/Ocoee Scenic Byway takes you through some incredible scenery in the Southern Appalachian Mountain range. This journey in East Tennessee leads you to an amazing area that is part of olympic history.
The 1996 Centennial Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia hosted a canoe and kayak slalom event. Without a suitable location near Atlanta, an area was chosen on the Ocoee River near Ducktown, Tennessee. The venue, within the Cherokee National Forest, is down river from the Lake Blue Ridge dam. This hydroelectric dam releases water to increase the flow in the Ocoee River for recreational purposes at varying times from June to September. It made a perfect location to create a whitewater course on a natural river.
The stunning Ocoee Whitewater Center was built by the US Forest Service within the Cherokee National Forest and is still managed by them. This area of the river was modified with the addition of natural and man made boulders to narrow it and create the competition course. Today it is a highly used recreation area during times of water release.
This photo shows the walking/observation area along the river. You can also see a camera post that was used during the olympics.
It is difficult to tell which are the natural and which are the man made boulders, but the combination makes for a stunning location.
There are also plenty of other outdoor recreational opportunities within the area. I hiked the Rhododendron Trail which follows the by the edge of the river. You could also do some biking if you like.
A stop at the Ocoee Whitewater Center is worth the trip for the history and the beauty.
To plan your visit, go to http://www.fs.fed.us and search for Ocoee Whitewater Center. You will want to check their hours and months of operation to be sure to be there when they are in operation.
Carrie Hanrahan Photography 