Your next adventure awaits! Kayaking along one of the scenic rivers of North Georgia will be an outing to remember whether you are a pro or a beginner. Everyone will appreciate the incredible, natural beauty that surrounds you along the Toccoa River, Chattooga, Chattahoochee, and Etowah Rivers just to name a few. With beautiful state parks, rolling hills, hiking trails, picnic spots, ziplines, and plenty of padding experiences, North Georgia is an outdoor lover’s paradise!
Outfitters in the Blue Ridge Mountains offer various access points allowing you to choose skill levels from Class I for beginners to experience more tranquil waters, up to Class V rapids for those seeking more whitewater and tougher rapids. You can pack your kayak or rent paddleboards, tubes, rafts, and of course, kayaks from the outfitter of your choice. Go kayaking on a Georgia river today!
Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking
Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking is located just 2 miles from downtown Blue Ridge. Lessons for kayaking are available as well as kayak rentals for single and double kayaks. Enjoy 6 miles of flatwater on the Tocca River and take in all of the beauty along the way. They give discounts to military, police, firefighters, nurses, and search and rescue teams. Visit their Snack Shack if you need a refreshing drink or snacks or if you forget sunscreen, dry bags for cell phones, and sunglass straps. They have you covered. Reserve your spot online or by calling.
56 North River Road,
Mineral Bluff, GA, 30560
706.258.2411
Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters
Rentals for kayaks, fishing kayaks, and SUPs (stand-up paddleboarding) are all available from Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters located on the west side of Blue Ridge Lake only 11 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge. Reserve a Sunset Paddle Ride and take lots of exquisite pictures as your guide takes you around the shoreline to watch the sunset. Bait and tackle can be purchased on-site and a guided fishing trip can be scheduled on Blue Ridge Lake which is packed full of a variety of fish that make anglers return year after year.
26 Bypass Road
Morganton, GA 30560
706.900.4004
Cartecay River Experience
Perfect for nature lovers and those who want to enjoy a slow, relaxing time down the Cartecay River, the Lazy River Experience allows you to float calmly down the river. The Adventure River Experience contains Class I and Class II whitewater rapids and is ideal for those wanting a little more of a challenge. From Blue Ridge, the Cartecay River Experience is less than a 20-minute drive. Enjoy and respect the river.
2400 Highway 52
East Ellijay, GA 30540
706.531.4746
Ellijay River Outfitters
Pack a picnic to enjoy before your trip down the Cartecay River. Ellijay River Outfitters is located 24 minutes from Blue Ridge, Georgia, and offers a 1-mile tubing or kayaking trip and a 3-mile trip. Have fun relaxing, watching the wildlife, and making wonderful memories while you float or paddle your way down this North Georgia waterway.
88 Hold Bridge Road
Ellijay, GA 30536
706.889.8697
Rolling Thunder River Company
The Rolling Thunder River Company is located in McCaysville, Georgia, just 20 minutes from Blue Ridge. The Tocca River is the headwaters of the well-known Ocoee River in Tennessee, it just changes names when it crosses into Georgia – but all of the beautiful scenery and incredible water trails continue. They offer 3 different trip lengths from 1.5 miles to 3 miles and equipment rentals for hard kayaks, inflatable kayaks (known as funyaks), and innertubes for guests as young as 5.
20 Hughes Street
McCaysville, GA 30555
800.408.7238
Jon Ron Tocca River Outfitters
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the Tocca River Outfitters offers rentals, shuttles, and supplies you may have forgotten like dry bags, sunscreen, bug spray, drinks, and snacks. Their most popular run is Dial Road to Sandy Bottom which is approximately a 2-hour paddle/float time, but you can stop along the way to do some fishing or have a picnic. If you are lucky you might get to see deer drinking or crossing the water or a family of ducks, geese, or other birds that frequent the area.
15 Black Ankle Creek Road
Cherry Log, GA 30522
706.838.0200
Appalachian Outfitters
With trips departing from the Dahlonega Outpost, the Chestatee River Trip is popular with first-time paddlers and kayakers and is perfect for families to do together as well. There are a few Class I rapids along this route that goes for 6 miles and usually lasts 2 ½ hours. The second trip departs from the Dawson Forest Outpost and is a little more remote, allowing up-close views of the landscape and wildlife. Float peacefully in a canoe or kayak for 4 hours down the 9-mile river trail meeting a few Class I rapids along the way. Tubing is another option for groups, families, and young guests that departs from the Tubing Outpost and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.
Canoe & Kayak
706.864.7117
Tubing
706.867.7116
Southeastern Expeditions
Canoeing or kayaking down this section of the Chattooga River offers whitewater trips with Class II, Class III, and Class IV rapids. Instruction clinics are available for individuals or groups for those new to this water sport or those wanting to learn how to better maneuver the tougher rapids. Section II has calm water, Class I, and Class II whitewater for beginners to experience, learn and test the waters. Section III is more fast-paced, travels through gorges, Class III rapids, and even has a double drop with Class IV rapids for the intermediate paddler. Section IV offers the most daring and challenging section of whitewater in the area. Southeastern Expeditions is a little further from Blue Ridge, Georgia, but if you want more challenging waters, it is well worth the hour-and-a-half trip.
7350 Highway 76 East
Clayton, GA 30525
800.868.7238
