What to Bring Rafting and How to Plan Your Rafting Trip!
This could be titled how to plan your family vacation or friends weekend away! Success begins with preparation. The size and makeup of your group will determine some of the logistics involved. Mom or dad can plan the family rafting trip and make any needed reservations and payments. In the case of a friends weekend getaway to raft it is best to have one person responsible to make reservations; our customer service experts can assist with receiving payments from the group members.
Choose The Date And Book Your Rafting Trip
First you need to choose a date that meets your family or group needs. Rafting is available all weekends throughout the Ocoee River rafting season. During peak rafting season between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekdays are also available. We raft Thursday through Monday during peak rafting season. Water is not released for rafting on Tuesdays or Wednesdays; some local business also close on those days.
Reserve Your Lodging Or Campsite
Next you will need to reserve your lodging. There are many nearby lodging options ranging from private cabins to hotels and camping. With high gas prices many may choose to embrace camping to offset gas costs. Our outpost is conveniently located near Blue Ridge Georgia if you would prefer more luxurious accommodations. Many of our guests enjoy the charm of downtown Blue Ridge and the surrounding countryside. Our website offers links to some of our favorite places to stay in the area. There are many local campgrounds to choose from whether you prefer to tent camp or glamp.
Directions And Cellular Coverage
Be aware that unless you have Verizon cellular service you will lose coverage in the Cherokee National Forest and greater Ocoee River area. Make sure you write or print out directions to our outpost prior to your trip. We have proven directions posted on our website to assist. Don’t chance GPS or google maps etc.
An example of what one of our guides wears in the early spring.
We provide splash gear and wetsuits to our guests.
If you bring you swimsuit combined with our wetsuit and splash gear will keep you warm.
What To Bring Rafting
What to bring. For the least delay bring your signed trip waivers. Bring suntan lotion but leave the suntan oils at home. Oil is not your friend on the river especially if you would prefer to stay in the raft. Bring sturdy footwear for rafting the river such as sneakers, wetsuit booties, or sandals with straps but not flip-flops. Also for greatest comfort and warmth don’t wear cotton on the river. It is better to wear nylon or synthetic swimwear and shirts for your time on the water. We provide splash gear and wetsuits when weather requires. Our outpost provides changing rooms and hot showers. If you are lacking any gear our store stocks water shoes as well as quick-dry shirts and shorts.
The summer river wear of one of our guides. A quick dry shirt is always recommended.
Don’t worry we carry them in our store if you need one.
What Not To Bring Rafting
Don’t bring expensive or sentimental items on the bus or river. It is best to leave rings and jewelry locked in your car or at home. Our guides can tell many different rafting stories about lost wedding rings or diamonds. Don’t bring drugs or alcohol to the river or Cherokee National Forest. Don’t bring your phone on the river. The waterproof bags and lanyards often fail and can create entrapment hazards or choking. Phones also create distractions and could impact your safety while rafting. OAC’s professional photographers will get great action shots of your trip. So you won’t need your phone or camera. However do bring your gopro to attach to one of our helmets.
