Awesome flat water paddle. Great coves to explore some motor boats.

This section of the Broad River, in the rolling north Georgia foot-hills, is arguably its most popular paddling section. The ride is very scenic. The river’s banks are lined with ash, river birch and beard cane. At different water levels this run offers various challenges. When the water is low the river is very rocky. When the water is high the river’s rapids become more extreme, but most rapids will have less difficult alternate routes if desired. Just be aware of your skill level, and if the water is high and ask an outfitter whether or not the river is runnable. Generally, the largest rapids come near the Highway 172 Bridge; stay left for an easier route. Also, there are fees at the put-in and takeout points.

This tributary of the Savannah River begins north of Springfield Georgia and offers incredibly scenic paddling adventures. Ebenezer Creek was previously nominated as a state scenic river and this section of the blackwater stream is no exception. Large cypress trees line the banks of the slow moving creek sometimes creating wooded tunnels that enhance the paddling atmosphere. The tidally influenced current is slow enough that this adventure can be taken as an out-and-back. Be aware that at high water the landscape changes drastically, but the creek’s path should still be distinguishable.

The Chattooga River sits amidst the scenic Chattahoochee National Forest and offers a great North South Carolina mountain paddling experience. This section of the river offers a goo challenge to novice paddlers. The superlative scenery is a prime example of unspoiled mountain scenery. Wildlife that you may see include a variety of birds, fish and some small mammals. Be sure to check the water levels before you make the trip.

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.

Sparkleberry Swamp, located at the top of Lake Marion, offers gorgeous scenery, birdwatching and spectacular biodiversity. Trees that you may see on this adventure include ash, tupelo, and bald cypress trees. Wildlife in the area include alligators, frogs, snakes, herons, water turkeys, ducks, egrets and other bird life. This is also a good area to fish. Be sure to check the water levels before you head out.

The Edisto River runs 250 miles and is the longest free flowing blackwater river in all of North America. Flora that you will see include large bald cypress, a variety of oak and water tupelo trees. Wildlife that you may see include Bald Eagles, frogs, alligators, Broad Winged Hawks and falcons. This is a good fishing lake too. Fish that anglers will find in the river include spotted sucker, bowfin, flat bullhead, largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish and American eel.

The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river that runs for over 200 miles through North Carolina before flowing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic flatwater river travels through diverse coastal vegetation and offers lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. Much of the river is part of a designated canoe trail with multiple access areas making it easy to customize trips of varying distances. This section of the river starts from a put-in downstream of Huske Lock and covers 7 miles of peaceful, undeveloped waterway to a take-out at Tar Heel Ferry Road.

This paddle features the west side of Hunting Island State Park, and includes salt marsh landscapes, wildlife and fishing. Hunting Island State Park is South Carolina’s most popular state park. It attracts one million plus visitors a year. The island is one of only undeveloped Sea Islands left in the state. As well there is a variety of land and marine wildlife, including dolphins, turtles and a variety of waterfowl. Be aware that this trip should probably be broken up into two days.

The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river that runs for over 200 miles through North Carolina before flowing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic flatwater river travels through diverse coastal vegetation and offers lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. Much of the river is part of a designated canoe trail with multiple access areas making it easy to customize trips of varying distances. This section of the river starts from a put-in at Tar Heel Ferry Road and covers over 14 miles of undeveloped wilderness waterway to the take-out just before the US 701 bridge in Elizabethtown.