Delano: Train Rides Through the Hiwassee River Gorge

Delano is in the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the Hiwassee River Railroad departs from here. For travelers looking for a hotel in Delano, the railroad offers a concrete starting point for planning: the train rides vary in duration and destination. The Hiwassee River and Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park are also popular for boating, fishing, and hiking. You can consider the train ride one part of your itinerary and plan other interests along the river and trails separately.

Train Rides from Delano

The Hiwassee Loop is a 50-mile, approximately 4.5-hour round trip from Delano through the Hiwassee River Gorge. Another scenic round trip takes 90 minutes and follows the Hiwassee River through the Cherokee National Forest to the historic Apalachia Powerhouse. For planning your time, the Hiwassee Loop is the longer round trip; the ride to the powerhouse takes 90 minutes. Schedules may change, so check the times before your trip.

The parking and boarding area for Hiwassee River Rail Adventure is at 9406 HWY 411, Delano, Tennessee 37325. Note the address when planning your drive. The Hiwassee River Railroad runs on tracks originally built by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in the late 19th century. If you are also interested in the history of the route, this railroad history is a separate aspect of the ride.

River and Activities in the State Park

Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park and the Cherokee National Forest along the Hiwassee River have several public boat launches. If you want to launch a boat, check local conditions before setting out. Fishing for largemouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, brook trout, and rainbow trout is possible in the state park. Check the applicable regulations and current conditions before fishing.

The state park also includes the Gee Creek Primitive Tent Campground, with 47 campsites. Operational details may change; check them before your trip if you plan to stay at the campground.

Hiking and Protected Landscape

Gee Creek Wilderness borders Hiwassee/Ocoee Scenic River State Park. A scenic section of the John Muir Trail passes through the river gorge in the park. The semi-primitive Gee Creek Trail begins at a parking area outside the southwestern corner of Gee Creek Wilderness, follows an old forest road for about half a mile, and then enters the wilderness area. The two trail descriptions use different landmarks: for the John Muir Trail, it is the river gorge; for the Gee Creek Trail, the route can be followed from the parking area along the forest road and into the wilderness. Check local trail conditions before hiking.

Discover more destinations: Ducktown.

Go to the main travel overview: Polk County.