Optional planning page

The Ocoee Olympic Whitewater Center was the site for the 1996 Olympic kayaking events. The water discharge is controlled by a TVA dam upstream, and there is normally little water in the stream bed. There are several days scheduled each year for the public to use the site FREE. You only pay for parking. You have to have your own kayak or rent one. Only experienced kayakers should try this course. Contact the Forest Service center at Ocoee Whitewater Center, Rt. 1, Box 285, Hwy. 64 West, Copperhill, TN 37317, Phone: (423) 496-5197, Fax: (423) 496-1515 for the latest details. This is not a SYAM planned event.

Bike and hiking trails also originate at the Ocoee Whitewater Center. They do not have anything to rent at the center. You have to rent from a local outfitter or bring your own. Trails are typically graded roadbeds in mountainous terrain. Difficulty ratings are not published. Contact the Ocoee Whitewater Center for a map. Lunches and vending machines are available at the center. This is not a SYAM planned event.

More Info at : http://www.r8web.com/ocoee/

HIKING

A nice hiking area is located on Chilhowee Mountain in the Ocoee Area.

For those that would like a nice hike with scenic views and peaceful surroundings, try the trail from Chilhowee lake to Benton Falls on top of Chilhowee Mountain. The access road turns north off Hwy 64 about 100 feet east of the Park Ranger Station. The road is paved but very steep (vans engines tend to heat up a little on the climb) with several scenic views. The lake is a fee area, probably $3.00 parking per vehicle. There are signs at the lake directing you to the falls. Plan on 1.5 hours for the round trip from lake to falls. Be careful that you do not go on top of the falls. It is slippery, and accidents have occurred. The trail leads to the bottom of the falls. So stay on the trail and you should do fine. Great place to have some quite time. Round trip time from Lee College is about 3 - 4 hours. Distance from Ocoee Dam # 1 to the turn off at the Ranger Station is 2.7 miles. This is not a SYAM planned event.

SWIMMING

Two swimming areas are located on Ocoee Lake

Hwy 64 traverses on the north side of the lake. Two swimming areas are available to the public for vehicle parking fees - about $3.00. The water can be colder than some are accustomed to since the water runs out of the mountains. Parksville Beach is 1.7 miles from Ocoee #1 Dam and Mac Point Beach is 4.3 miles from Ocoee #1 Dam. This is not a SYAM planned event.

Camping

So you would like to come a day early or stay an extra day and camp, hike, bike or other. Yes, there are numerous camping sites. Several are on the Ocoee River. First come basis I think, limited facilities. Do not leave food out where bears can reach it. Contact: Cherokee National Forest, Ocoee Ranger District, Route 1, Box 348D, Benton, TN 37307, Phone: (423) 338-5201, or e-mail Polk County News @: Polknews@aol.com and request their Visitor Guide. It's full of great information about the area. Thunderock Campground at the #3 powerhouse is 13.6 miles from Ocoee #1 Dam. This is not a SYAM planned event.

Discover Lost Sea, America's Largest Underground Lake and a U.S. Registered Natural Landmark. This tour includes a glass-bottom boat ride on a 4.5-acre underground lake. Marvel at the large rainbow trout, see where Confederate soldiers mined saltpeter for gunpowder, and discover half the world's known population of "cave flowers." The temperature remains a pleasant 58 degrees Fahrenheit year round, and there are no steps to climb! Take Exit 60 off I-75. Lost Sea is on Highway 68 between Sweetwater and Madisonville, Tennessee. Round trip is about 3.5 hours from Cleveland. Call for costs. $$. Youth typically like this but it's a little cool inside. Call (423)337-6616 • Fax (337) 337-0803 This is not a SYAM planned event. Get free maps and driving instructions.

Want a nice float trip? No big rapids? No whitewater? Places to stop and enjoy. Then the Hiwassee River is for you. The Hiwassee is north of the Ocoee and is accessed from Hwy 64 along the Ocoee River at the junction of Hwy 64 and Hwy 30 about 5.0 miles from Ocoee #1 Dam. Fees are less than whitewater rafting. They have several choices of things you can do. The trips do not provide a tour guide. This is not a SYAM planned event. See map below.

More Ocoee and Cherokee Info Available
E-mail Polk County News @: Polknews@aol.com and request their latest "Visitors Guide" and the "Tennessee Overhill" paper. They're full of great information about the area. Or call 423-338-2828, 423-496-4066

Scenic Low Budget Tour Of River and Lookout Mountain

A 5 hour round trip tour from Cleveland includes a walk across the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga (great views, a park and ice cream); stops at the world's steepest incline railway on top of Lookout Mountain; a walk through Point Park National Battlefield $$; a hike down the mountain from Point Park to Cravens Historical Civil War Home where a van will pick you up for a return to Lee College. Options include ($$) riding the merry-go-round at the Walnut Street Bridge, riding the incline railway ($$). This is not a SYAM planned event. Contact the Webmaster for additional info, maps, maybe a tour guide for this.

Scenic Low Budget Tour Of Civil War Battlefields on Lookout Mountain And Chickamauga Sites

A 5 hour round trip that goes to Chattanooga, stops to see Incline, ride if you want $$, see Point Park National Battlefield $$ high above Chattanooga (one of most photographed sites in the south), drive south to the Chickamauga National Park (the first built in the battlefield national park series), and see the Fuller Museum of Civil War guns and rifles. This is not a SYAM planned event. Contact the Webmaster for additional info, maps, maybe a tour guide for this.

A complete schedule of on-campus activities will be available at registration July 16.

Lee University has an excellent facility with areas softball, beach volleyball, tennis, exercise rooms and other. Other on-site activities are planned.

Starting Point	Mileage	Point of Interest
Lee University	12.3	SE Expeditions
	14.4	Ocoee River #1 Dam
Ocoee River #1 Dam	1.7	Parkville Beach Swimming Area
	2.7	Ranger Station and turn left to go up Chilhowee Mtn and to Benton Falls
	4.3	Mac Point Beach Swimming Area
	5.0	Hwy 30 - turn left to go to Hiwassee Outfitters and Hiwassee River
	12.7	Ocoee #2 Dam - whitewater put in location
	13.6	Thunderock Campground
	15.1	1996 Olympic White Water Center - kayaking, hiking, biking trail access

	*Optional Activities*
*East of Cleveland in the Ocoee River Area*

	*Optional Activities*
South Of Cleveland In The Chattanooga Area