The southeast is a nature lover's Valhalla, with most every outdoor activity available. Regardless of the season, the adventurer's age, skill level and specific needs, everyone will find an activity to please.
The Ocoee River Area's outdoor recreation is often thought to evolve around the river, with whitewater rafting, canoeing or kayaking being predominant activities available to visitors. However, among the multitude of attractions in the area are waterfalls and mountains for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, camping / backpacking and rock climbing.

HIKING:
To hike in this area you may go in almost any directions and find a different type of terrain. There are a multitude of options within the Cherokee National Forest. To the northeast the Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides many trails of varying difficulties and lengths. To the east, the Nantahala National Forest has hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Also the famous Appalachian Trail, a National Scenic trail running 2,100 miles along the crest of the Appalachian Mountains, runs just east, through 14 states, stretching from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. If you are looking for a combined adventure / lodging / dining arrangement, Coker Creek Village Adventure and Retreat Center will answer most of your needs, including a dose of whitewater. As always, please be sure to make note of the Trail Tips for sound methods of experiencing the wilderness.

MTN. BIKING:
With untold miles of gravel roads and trails to explore, Mtn Biking is a very popular activity in the southeast. You can spend days exploring a tiny amount of the options available, regardless of whether you wish to bike in Chattanooga , the SE Tennessee Cherokee National Forest , nearby Georgia, the Nantahala National Forest or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

HORSEBACK RIDING:
Horseback riding is one of the year-round pleasures available in the southeast. The opportunities to participate abound, whether you are a die-hard, horse-owning, trail rider or a casual rider, seeking a livery service. We have provided an array of locations, many of which cater to riders of all experience levels and needs. Whether you are looking for you and your horse's next destination or a livery service to spend the day with, you will find what you need here.

FISHING:
You can barely take two steps without running into a fishing location in this area. Be sure to have all the proper credentials, though, to fish in the location you choose. In this area, dependent upon where you choose, you may be fishing in Tennessee, North Carolina or Georgia, even when fishing in areas such as the Nantahala National Forest which permits fishing in day use and backcountry areas. Other areas, may also have additional rules and regulations, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. All the information you need is available online.

CAMPING & BACKPACKING:
Camping and backpacking is available throughout the area. Among the available locations are those located within the Cherokee National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest, as well as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and in State Parks in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Also, you may reserve a campsite, on many Federally Managed Lands, online.

ROCK CLIMBING:
Rock Climbing can be very exciting, as well as a very dangerous. Always follow activity-related standard precautions and practices when out in nature. Never climb alone. Additionally, rock climbing can be destructive. Never leave permanent marks, pitons, etc, nor disturb flora or fauna, when climbing. We are only visitors to other species' homes when we venture out into wild places.

WATERFALLS:
Though the southeast Tennessee area is not known for its waterfalls, there a numerous beautiful waterfalls in the area. A Tennessee Waterfall Directory, containing waterfalls, listed by county, with a map, is available. Many of these falls, Polk and Monroe Counties are listed below. And always remember: Waterfalls can be very dangerous areas. Never attempt to climb a waterfall, avoid ledges, and remember the rocks can be very slippery. And never allow pets or children near ledges.

Disclaimer:
All outdoor activities impact the environment, altering it in some manner for those who come behind. Please practice the "Leave no trace"
philosophy in all your activities whether they occur at your local community park or in the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, leaving as minimal an impact as possible for those who follow you.

Also, please be courteous of private property. At times, boundaries between public and private land are not clearly mark, so please consult a map to ensure you will not be trespassing onto private property. Please do not go onto private property without the property owner's expressed permission.

Additionally, please be "bear aware". Whenever participating in outdoor activities in and near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, black bear sightings are possible, as they are in many other parts of the country. But, as with all wild animal / human interactions, there is information which will help protect us, and the wild creatures we hold so precious and have personified and deified for centuries. One of the most important is the philosophy present throughout the country: "A fed bear is a dead bear". This philosophy is based on the reality: when humans feed bears, those bears begin to assume humans they cross paths with in the future will feed them, as well. This leads to humans and animals being placed in dangerous situations, which can lead to one or both being injured or killed. Please do not feed any wildlife when you are outdoors.