Oakdale: Hotels, Paddling, and Railroad History

Oakdale between the River and Railroad History

The lower Emory River and the history of the railroad give a trip to Oakdale two distinct focuses. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether you would like to base your stay more around paddling and fishing or the town’s historical development. On the river, there is a specifically named paddling section and a fishing stretch with a limited season; the railroad information covers the town’s former functions. These offer two different themes to consider when planning your trip.

Paddling on the Lower Emory River

A paddling section of the lower Emory River begins in Oakdale and ends 3.5 miles downstream at Clifty Creek Bridge. The section has a series of Class I–II rapids. The lower Emory River also has several long, calm pools that are suitable for learning paddling techniques.

The starting and ending points give you a sense of location; rapids, calm pools, and water conditions describe other aspects of the river. Water levels and debris affect the hazards, so you should check conditions before your trip. Geographically, the Emory River is a tributary of the Watts Bar Reservoir.

Fishing with Seasonal Regulations

A special fishing stretch on the Emory River runs upstream from the Highway 27 bridge near Harriman to the Highway 299 bridge near Oakdale. It is in effect from January 1 to April 30. Seasonal regulations can change; check the current TWRA rules before fishing.

For planning your trip, these are two different points of reference: for paddling, you can use the named starting and ending points and water conditions as guides; for fishing, the regulation period matters. This can help you decide whether the route or a seasonal activity should be the main focus of your stay.

Railroad History in Oakdale

Oakdale’s railroad history encompasses various functions. In the railroad line’s alphabetically ordered sequence of stops, Oakdale came after Nemo. After the railroad agency closed on December 30, 1961, passengers could still board trains in Oakdale and pay their fare to the conductors. After the closure, Emory Gap station took over freight handling for Oakdale and sold tickets. The difference between passengers still being able to board in Oakdale and the functions performed at Emory Gap shows the different roles of the stations in railroad operations at the time.

Another historical landmark is the Babahatchie Inn in Oakdale. It mainly served to house and feed the many railroad workers; after 1906, it was part of the Railroad YMCAs for many years. The inn stood across from the railroad tracks, with a bend in the river behind the building. This former lodging adds the everyday lives of railroad workers to the story of stations and tickets. Railroad history thus extended beyond ticketing and freight operations to include the daily lives of employees.

Discover more destinations: Wartburg.

For the broader travel overview: Morgan County.