Ocoee Scenic Byway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
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| Route information | |
| Maintained by TDOT | |
| Length | 26 mi (42 km) |
| Existed | July 22, 1988–present |
| Component highways |
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| Location | |
| Counties: | Polk |
| Highway system | |
| Tennessee State Routes Interstate • US |
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The Ocoee Scenic Byway is a beautiful road in East Tennessee. It's about 26 miles (42 km) long. This special road goes through the amazing Cherokee National Forest. It's also part of two major roads, U.S. Route 64 and U.S. Route 74. Along the way, you can see the famous Ocoee Whitewater Center. You'll also enjoy stunning views of the Ocoee River and its deep gorge.
Contents
Exploring the Ocoee Scenic Byway
This scenic road follows the north side of the Ocoee River. It stretches for about 19 miles (31 km) as part of US 64 and US 74. There's a special side road called the Chilhowee Scenic Spur. This spur is about 7 miles (11 km) long. It climbs up to the top of the Chilhowee Mountains, offering great views.
Fun Activities Along the Byway
The Ocoee Scenic Byway is a great place for outdoor fun! You can enjoy boating and fishing at Parksville Lake. If you love water sports, the Ocoee Whitewater Center is a must-see. This center is famous for canoeing, rafting, and kayaking. It even hosted the 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak Slalom Competition. This was part of the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia.
Most of the byway has two lanes. However, a short part east of the whitewater center has four lanes. Before the Olympics, some of the four-lane section was made narrower. This was done to create space for spectator stands. Today, the old eastbound lanes are used for parking at the Whitewater Center.
History of the Ocoee Scenic Byway
The path of the Ocoee Scenic Byway has a long history. It follows what was once called the Old Copper Road. This was a wagon trail from the 1850s. It was used to transport copper from the Copper Basin area. The copper was taken to cities like Cleveland and Chattanooga.
The Ocoee Scenic Byway made history itself. It was the very first National Forest Scenic Byway in the United States. It received this special title on July 22, 1988. The United States Forest Service (USFS) gave it this important designation.
Challenges and Future Plans
The Ocoee Scenic Byway is known for its beautiful scenery. However, it can sometimes have rockslides. These are when rocks and dirt fall onto the road. The biggest rockslide happened on November 10, 2009. It occurred near Ocoee Dam No. 2. This slide blocked the road for many months.
Because more and more large trucks use the route, there are plans for changes. The TDOT is thinking about building a new four-lane highway. They are looking at different ideas for this new road. Some ideas include a route on the south side of the river. Another idea is a route over nearby Little Frog Mountain. They are even considering building a tunnel!
Images for kids
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A view of the Ocoee Scenic Byway.
