Class III-IV Obed River, TN

Obed Junction to Nemo

The Obed River system is a high-quality, rainfall-runoff-dominated watershed characterized by extremes in stream flow, both in response to seasonal rainfall variation and individual storms. The Obed River and its designated tributaries, Daddys Creek and Clear Creek, are located atop the Cumberland Plateau physiographic province in Tennessee. Wild whitewater running through 500-foot deep gorges offers boaters the chance to drift below rock climbers challenging their skills on the sandstone bluffs.

The Obed River corridor extends from one mile downstream (east) of Highway 298 (Genesis Road) in the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area to the confluence with the Emory River; Clear Creek from the west Morgan County line to the confluence with the Obed River; Daddys Creek from the Morgan County line to the confluence with the Obed River; and the Emory River 1/4 mile upstream from the confluence with the Obed River to Nemo Bridge. The site is the only Federal scenic river in Tennessee.

 

This pristine, non-dammed river attracts whitewater boaters to some of the finest paddling (class I-IV rapids) in the United States. There are numerous waterfalls both in the river and falling off the steep walls of the canyons.

 

The Lilly Bluff Overlook on the Obed Wild and Scenic River looks much the same today as it did when the first white settlers strolled its banks in the late 1700s. The Lily Bluff Overlook is just a short walk through the woods from the parking lot and boasts an excellent boardwalk to the edge of the bluffs overlooking the river. - Credit: Paul Mashburn, Flickr Public Photo

 

For More Information Visit:

Obed River - rivers.gov

Section Details

Trip Length Full Day, 10.0 Miles
Notes Backcountry Camping along stream permitted with permit.
Fishing Yes
Camping Yes
Permit No
Manager National Park Service
Wild & Scenic Yes
Water Trail No
Partner Information http://www.nps.gov/obed/planyourvisit/index.htm
https://www.rivers.gov/river/obed
Description American Whitewater
Photo Credit: From Point Trail above the confluence with the Obed River. (Photo by Tim Palmer - www.timpalmer.org)