A stagnant economy has affected whitewater rafting nationwide, as with other businesses.
But the Ocoee River, where many outfitters will open their seasons Saturday, is the most popular stream for guided rafting in the United States, according to David Brown, executive director of Knoxville-based Outdoors America.
The reopening this week of U.S. Highway 64 along the Ocoee is adding to rafters’ and outfitters’ excitement. The highway has been closed for several months because of rock slides.
Brown based his assertion about the river on an Outdoors America spreadsheet that includes data from 38 of about 200 rafting outfitters. They are among about 500 companies the organization serves in a variety of outdoors activities.
“While (guided rafting) participation was down last year, it was up on the Ocoee and the Pigeon rivers,” Brown said.