Make Summer Memories That Last a Lifetime!

When the sun comes out, the outdoors start calling our name. Summer is by far the most popular time of the year to visit Cleveland and rightly so. You can hike or bike urban and forest trails, play in the water, picnic by the river or stroll along the Greenway. Cool off with a splash in the many rivers and lakes that surround us like the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers and Parksville Lake.

Make a Splash!
If water recreation is on you bucket list this summer, head this way! Grab your fishing rods and caste your troubles away! Our lakes and rivers are filled with many varieties of fish including crappie, bluegill, white bass, trout, catfish, yellow bass, yellow perch and pickerel. If boating and water sports are more your style, we have something for you too! You will love beautiful Parksville Lake and the Hiwassee River. The Hiwassee River is a great place for kayaking and tubing! Thrill seekers of all ages and skill levels can find adventure on the Hiwassee. Be sure to visit our ‘Water Recreation’ page and to find all the fun spots for boating, swimming, kyaking and tubing this summer!

If a wild river adventure is what you’re craving, shoot the rapids on America’s only Olympic River, the Ocoee! The 1996 Olympics put the Ocoee River on the map, but whitewater rafting is what makes the Ocoee famous. Located just 20 miles east of Cleveland, Tennessee, the Ocoee River with its class III and IV whitewater rapids is one of America’s most popular whitewater rivers. Our whitewater outfitters make a trip on the Ocoee easy by providing everything you need, you just show up and dig in. Once you get a taste of these waves, you’ll be back for seconds! Visit our Outfitter Directory and get started planning your whitewater adventure!

Take a hike!
Whether you are a first-time hiker or a committed trail-lover in the Ocoee Region, we have the perfect hike for you! The Cherokee National Forest has a wide variety of trail difficulties, from easy to advanced. It includes more than 600 miles of trails! Among some of the most popular are the Benton McKaye trail and 150 miles of the Appalachian Trail! There are plenty to choose from, some even include beautiful waterfalls and a swimming hole to cool off! If mountain biking is your favorite summer activity, we have plenty of trails for that too. Make sure to visit our ‘Hiking’ and ‘Biking’ pages and get started planning an outdoor adventure!

Visit a Vineyard!
One of the most beautiful views in Bradley County can be found at Morris Vineyard & Winery and summertime is an excellent time to pay them a visit. Bring your family and spend the day picking your own Concord Grapes and juicy blackberries! Nothing says summertime like blackberry cobbler fresh out of the oven with homemade ice cream. In the South, blackberries hold an honored place not just on our tables but also in our memories. For most of us, one taste of a blackberry cobbler instantly brings back thoughts of childhood summers spent picking berries. Put this at the top of your summer to-do list with the kids!

Attend a Festival!
The annual Blue Springs Valley Singing features amazing gospel music while the Cherokee Heritage Festival at Red Clay State Park includes traditional singing and dancing, storytelling, stickball, 18th- and 19th-century living-history demonstrations, authentic foods, artisans, Cherokee plants and hikes led by herbalist Darryl Patton.

Whatever you decide to do, prepare to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Check out our calendar of events to see what is happening in Cleveland, Charleston and surrounding areas.