Where to camp on the ocoee?

[BMuu]

Where is the best place to camp on the Ocoee? I will be there Friday and am looking for primative camping.

I need a spot that's cheap/free and where there will be plenty of other kayakers to meet up with.

[justin.payne]

I have always camped at Thunder Rock. We always use it as an alternative put in for the middle run. It does cost a little bit though.

[Tmuse]

Adventures unlimitted is the place to camp! cheap fees and hot showers! might get a little rowdy, due to the raft guides throwin down! lots of boaters stay there!

[Tmuse]

Oh yea! no booze in the TVA campgrounds! big fat fines if busted!

[maggiepowell]

thunder rock. you can put in for the lower right from the campsite and takeout for the Olympic course as well. as long as you keep alcohol under wraps and aren't rowdy then you should be fine. have camped there for years with very little problems from the Park Fairy's.

[okieboater]

Take the road across the ocoee to Thunder Rock camp ground but do not turn right into the thunder rock camp ground just continue on up the hill. There are several places to camp miles into this area but it is national forest service area and as long as you are off the main road and clean up your mess it should be legal and free.

This was true several years ago, you might check with one of the ranger offices at HQ as you drive up the river to Thunder Rock.

There is also an awesome Forest Service Camp ground up the mountain just past the Ranger HQ turn off as you head up the river, my spelling is off but it is something like Chilhohwee. Several twisty miles up the mountain but the sites are very nice and there is a shower house. This is one of my favorite camps on busy weekends when every thing else is full. Lots of shade trees for most sites.

To meet other boaters just hang out at the put in or alternate is the take out but if you are at the take out be suited up and ready to go as most rides from there are boaters in a hurry to get back to the put in. Lots of boaters do stay at Thunder Rock and if you camp there just spot some boats and strike up a conversation as most are looking for shuttles.

[BMuu]

Thanks guys! Should be a good time

[Fish]

AU or OAR are great campgrounds to meet other boaters. Not necessarily good spots to sleep until everyone passes out. :)

I like Chillowee up on the mountain, but it costs bucks, is very crowded on holidays, and you definitely will get hassled/ticketed for beer. If you can hit it in the fall when it's not crowded, the mountain is a very cool place to be though.

- Fish

[wet 2 woody]

http://www.persimmoncreekcampground.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice folks, new showers.. reasonably close and between the Ocoee and Nantahala....they love boaters and "drinkage" is ok. Close to Murphy restaurants..ect! Just over the Tenn state line. Tell them Woody sent ya!

I think they recently started serving breakfast...pancakes or sweetrolls..they're on facebook too!

[Scott W]

woody is correct!!!!!

Persimon creek is the new Circle J!!!! they want boaters and are boater friendly!

[Renee H]

Were you at the Ocoee Friday Kyle? We put on late and paddle and now headed to Cheoah.

[BMuu]

Nope, I left Thursday.

Shortly after putting on I flipped in the first rapid and busted my head open just above my eye brow.

After stopping the bleeding I didn't feel like paddling anymore due to a bad headache so I just drove home (hadn't been home in 3 weeks)

I'm home healing and will be back in a couple weeks working so there will be another Ocoee trip in my future!

Also I bought a new sweet rocker helmet since the pro-tec ace doesn't offer good protection. Funny thing is I ordered the new helmet before this incident but just didn't have it yet.

Hopefully your trip turned out better haha

[anthony]

Nope, I left Thursday.

Shortly after putting on I flipped in the first rapid and busted my head open just above my eye brow.

After stopping the bleeding I didn't feel like paddling anymore due to a bad headache so I just drove home (hadn't been home in 3 weeks)

I'm home healing and will be back in a couple weeks working so there will be another Ocoee trip in my future!

Also I bought a new sweet rocker helmet since the pro-tec ace doesn't offer good protection. Funny thing is I ordered the new helmet before this incident but just didn't have it yet.

Hopefully your trip turned out better haha

That sucks man.

[BMuu]

Who else was it that did the same thing with the same helmet Anthony? Wasnt it Jed?

[anthony]

Corey earls did the same thing. He got hit in the ear wearing a protec. Jacked him all up. Jed lost his paddle trying to get him while he was getting worked in grumpies. Grumpies was extra grumpy during the higher flows last year. We are going the 1st weekend in July. Wanna go ???