Welcome to The GNAR Cottage!
Sightseeing
Home of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Ocoee Whitewater Center is an iconic place for the whitewater community.
Unfortunately, the whitewater center burned down in the Spring of 2022. While the center has been lost, the area still offers great hiking trails and swimming options. We recommend hiking up river past the bridge to one of the many swimming holes.
Be aware the water releases can occur and the river will rise rapidly. Releases typically occur on the weekends in the summer months and after HUGE rain events.
155 locals recommend
Ocoee Whitewater Center
4400 US-64Home of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Ocoee Whitewater Center is an iconic place for the whitewater community.
Unfortunately, the whitewater center burned down in the Spring of 2022. While the center has been lost, the area still offers great hiking trails and swimming options. We recommend hiking up river past the bridge to one of the many swimming holes.
Be aware the water releases can occur and the river will rise rapidly. Releases typically occur on the weekends in the summer months and after HUGE rain events.
Offering up one of the best views in the area, Boyd Gap overlook is a must-stop when staying in the cottage. A short 10-minute drive towards the Ocoee will take you to Boyd Gap, which overlooks the Cohutta mountain range. The parking lot also provides access to multiple hiking trails to include Brush Creek.
Boyd Gap
Offering up one of the best views in the area, Boyd Gap overlook is a must-stop when staying in the cottage. A short 10-minute drive towards the Ocoee will take you to Boyd Gap, which overlooks the Cohutta mountain range. The parking lot also provides access to multiple hiking trails to include Brush Creek.
Thunder Rock Campground is the perfect place to park to hike or mountain bike some of the trails of the Tanasi Trail System. These trails are riddled with history and were once used to transport Copper from mines to other parts of the state and country.
Black bears are active in Cherokee National Forest. In fact, we see them almost every time we mountain bike Tanasi.
Thunder Rock Recreation Area
Thunder Rock Campground is the perfect place to park to hike or mountain bike some of the trails of the Tanasi Trail System. These trails are riddled with history and were once used to transport Copper from mines to other parts of the state and country.
Black bears are active in Cherokee National Forest. In fact, we see them almost every time we mountain bike Tanasi.
Copperhill is a former mining town that is rich in history. The Ducktown basin museum (located 5 minutes up the road in Ducktown) showcases the history of the town dating back to the 1800s.
17 locals recommend
Ducktown Basin Museum
212 Burra Burra StCopperhill is a former mining town that is rich in history. The Ducktown basin museum (located 5 minutes up the road in Ducktown) showcases the history of the town dating back to the 1800s.
Fresh baked goods, Apothecary, picnics, and story-telling tractor rides. Deep Roots Orchards is close to the cottage and is a must-stop.
17 locals recommend
Deep Roots Orchard
2984 Mobile RdFresh baked goods, Apothecary, picnics, and story-telling tractor rides. Deep Roots Orchards is close to the cottage and is a must-stop.
Adventure
A trip to the GNAR Cottage is not complete without a rafting trip down the famous Ocoee River. The cottage is a short 10-minute drive to most outfitters located on the eastern side of the river.
Most outfitters provide a top-notch experience and will ensure you have a safe and thrilling day on the river.
6 locals recommend
Raft One
4599 US-64A trip to the GNAR Cottage is not complete without a rafting trip down the famous Ocoee River. The cottage is a short 10-minute drive to most outfitters located on the eastern side of the river.
Most outfitters provide a top-notch experience and will ensure you have a safe and thrilling day on the river.
Located 5 minutes from the cottage, Toccoa River Tubing provides a relaxing experience of tubing the Toccoa River. The company provides everything you need to cool off on a hot summer day.
63 locals recommend
Toccoa River Tubing Company
340 Toccoa AveLocated 5 minutes from the cottage, Toccoa River Tubing provides a relaxing experience of tubing the Toccoa River. The company provides everything you need to cool off on a hot summer day.
Are you looking to learn about fly fishing? How about a guided trip down the Toccoa? Toccoa River Outfitters provides everything from bait, reels, and licenses to ensure you have a great experience fishing around the local waterways.
Toccoa River Outfitters
120 Grand AveAre you looking to learn about fly fishing? How about a guided trip down the Toccoa? Toccoa River Outfitters provides everything from bait, reels, and licenses to ensure you have a great experience fishing around the local waterways.
Food scene
Looking to grab a cocktail and sit above the beautiful Toccoa/Ocoee River? Look no further than the Waterfront, located a minute down the road from the cottage. The Waterfront serves up delicious drinks and food and is one of the better places to eat in town.
6 locals recommend
The Waterfront Bar
205 Ocoee StreetLooking to grab a cocktail and sit above the beautiful Toccoa/Ocoee River? Look no further than the Waterfront, located a minute down the road from the cottage. The Waterfront serves up delicious drinks and food and is one of the better places to eat in town.
Located in downtown Copperhill, The Copper Grill serves delicious sandwiches and burgers and is a great place to grab lunch.
13 locals recommend
The Copper Grill
109 Ocoee StreetLocated in downtown Copperhill, The Copper Grill serves delicious sandwiches and burgers and is a great place to grab lunch.
Buck Bald Brewing
160 Ocoee StGreat beer, friendly staff, and awesome atmosphere.
Copperhill brewery is a great place to grab a beer after a hot day outside. There are two locations (Copperhill & Ducktown) and each provides a great experience.
50 locals recommend
Copperhill Brewery
105 Ocoee StCopperhill brewery is a great place to grab a beer after a hot day outside. There are two locations (Copperhill & Ducktown) and each provides a great experience.
Located right across the border in McCaysville, TN, Stateline BBQ serves up some great BBQ.
6 locals recommend
Stateline BBQ
47 Toccoa AvenueLocated right across the border in McCaysville, TN, Stateline BBQ serves up some great BBQ.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
The town has an early bedtime (usually 9:00 pm)
Copperhill and McCaysville shut down around 9:00 pm most evenings in the summer and often earlier in the winter/shoulder season months. The Waterfront typically stays open serving drinks until around 11:00 pm.
If you're out and about and are planning on a late dinner, you may have to drive to Blue Ridge (which also has limited late-night options).