The Chattooga River sits amidst the scenic Chattahoochee National Forest and offers a great North Georgia high mountain paddling experience without the intense rapids. Although this section of the river is the most doable of any on the Chattooga River it does contain some solid Class II and one Class III rapid, which will offer a challenge to novice paddlers. The superlative scenery is a prime example of unspoiled mountain scenery. Be apprised that a free river float plan must be filled and that getting out at Earl Ford requires around a quarter mile climb to the parking area.

With Class III and IV rapids, Amicalola Creek (Cherokee for tumbling water) offers an experienced paddler a challenging paddle, and is often called the ‘best’ creek in Georgia. The majority of the more difficult rapids occur within the first three miles of this adventure, with the lower parts becoming nearly flat and easy flowing. This adventure offers scenery that is typical of a North Georgia river landscape as the creek winds through the beautiful Dawson County.

Draining over 10,000 square miles the Savannah River is one of Georgia’s largest rivers, hundreds of feet wide in places. This particular paddling adventure is rather lengthy, but the swift current of the river will aid your movement downstream immensely. The channel marker numbers have been left by the Army Corps of Engineers who manage the river. This section of the river winds through exceptionally remote wilderness, so it will be rare to see anyone else along the way.

The large Flint River, with its rocky waterbed, is arguably the best paddling river in all of Georgia. This paddling adventure winds through the heavily wooded Pine Mountains. This portion of the river is strewn with rocks and offers great mountain scenery. Further down the river Pasley Island splits the river and leads you through Class II Pasley Shoals rapids. There are at least 4 more class II rapids past Pasley Island, the next being Natural Dam Shoals. Just past Natural Dam Shoals is an alternate put-in point, at Sprewell Bluff State Park, offering a shorter paddling experience; be aware that there is an entrance fee to get into the park.

This paddling adventure utilizes a slow, wide section of the Etowah River that offers a family friendly paddle. This paddle takes you through beautiful North Georgia country on the glassy green waters that are lined by thick hardwood trees. The rock obstacles are very navigable and do not present any rapids on an average day. Along the way there are grassy fields that offer a great place for you to pull over and have lunch.

The Chattahoochee River is the most important river in Georgia, providing transportation, drinking water and recreation. This section of the Chattahoochee River offers an exciting run with rapids all along the way, seemingly at every turn. There are very clear waters and high wooded banks that offer beautiful mountain-like scenery. In the wooded areas the banks are lined with mountain laurel, sycamores, tulip trees, ironwood trees and white pine.

The Ocmulgee River and its tributaries drain in the middle of Georgia, but the river itself reaches the ocean. Historically the river provided an important commercial travel passage. In this part of the river dense stands of cypress and willow trees line both sides providing a feeling of seclusion while also offering riverside views. Tan sandbars form around the sweeping bends standing in stark contrast to the lush stream-side foliage. For a swifter ride keep right at New River and take the oxbow shortcut; there is a rather tricky rapid in this section so be prepared.

This section of the Satilla river, nestled in the south-east corner of Georgia, offers a straightforward paddle with some great marshland scenery. This part of the river is wide and slow moving, making this paddle fairly easy despite its near fourteen mile length. Wildlife that may be seen along the way include a variety of water and sea-birds.

The Chattahoochee River is the most important river in Georgia, providing transportation, drinking water and recreation. This section of the river takes you through rural areas southwest of Atlanta. In the wooded areas the banks are lined with a variety of hardwood trees. The paddle is very easy, with a couple small rapid sections, with rocks that are easily navigable, near the half-way point of the paddle. It is called the Georgia Power Run because the put-in and take-out points are at Georgia Power power plants.

The Altamaha River, a massive coastal plain river, is an easy, distinctive paddling experience. The river’s south bank offers high shores lined with pine, sweet gum and oak, all part of the scenic, state-owned Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area. While the river is very broad it is unexpectedly shallow, and offers a moderate current. Know that since the river is so wide it will be important to get to the north bank well before the take-out point. Also, be aware that on occasion there may be fallen trees along the shores, which usually do not pose a navigational problem because the river is over 300 feet wide.