DO IT: Paddling & Floating

Georgia’s Lakes, Rivers and Ocean: Paddle On

You’ll find water everywhere in Georgia – from our pristine stretch of beaches along the Atlantic
Ocean to our serene lakes, rustic rivers, waterfalls, and wetlands.

Skim across the placid waters of Lake Lanier, beautiful Lake Chatuge or Lake Rabun in a canoe or kayak. Or tube down the Chattahoochee River within sight of the Atlanta skyline.

Overnight camping or day-long sojourns allow you time to snag a bass at Florence Marina State Park on Lake Walter F. George, wash your worries away at High Falls State Park or float peacefully through Stephen C. Foster State Park in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

More than 396,000 acres of wilderness adventure await you in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, one of the best preserved and oldest freshwater wildernesses in America. Paddle the 120 miles of the Okefenokee’s crisscrossing canoe, kayak, and boat trails for an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Explore Georgia’s biodiversity, whether kayak fishing the Chattahoochee River, ocean kayaking alongside a dolphin, or canoeing past analligator to reach the perfect birding point in a tidal marsh. Our mountain and piedmont waterways wind their way to the Georgia coast, where thousands of miles of salt marshes, oak and pine forests, and nature trails offer glimpses of manatees, fish, deer,bear, and millions of migrating and local birds.

The mill pond at George L. Smith State Park in Twin City beckons anglers and paddlers to explore tupelo and cypress tree stands dripping with Spanish moss, and to look for beaver dams and wading birds such as blue heron and white ibis. Canoeists and kayakers can join the Park Paddlers Club, and nearby outfitters offer guided paddle trips.

Another great place to paddle is on the Altamaha River, designated by the Nature Conservancy as one of the 75 “Last Great Places” in the world. You can put the canoe or kayak in at Uvalda near the confluence of the Oconee, Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers and follow the Altamaha 137 miles, all the way to the sea.

Sapelo Island Reserve, home of a unique Geechee-Gullah community, Skidaway Island State Park, Jekyll Island and Crooked River State Park are special places among the many coastal refuges and parks of the coast and Georgia’s unique barrier islands. Tackle them on your own or secure the services of knowledgeable outfitters and charters. Experience the magic of canoeing or kayaking the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway or black water river, dolphin watching on an eco-tour.

We swim, fish, boat, canoe, and kayak. Let the water soothe your soul or ignite your passions,
whether you find it in mountain meadows, piedmont forests, or coastal plains.

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Paddling & Floating - Locations

Altamaha River Kayak and Canoe Trail – Lumber City

Magnolia Midlands

Lumber City, GA 31549

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Amerson Water Works Park of Macon

Historic Heartland
2600 Riverview Road
Macon, GA 31204
478-722-9909

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Anchorage Marina

NE GA Mountains
75 Timpson Cove Rd.
Clayton, GA 30525
706-782-3013

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Appalachian Anglers

Northwest Georgia Mountains
4055 Mobile Rd.
Blue Ridge , GA 30513
706-633-3622

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Appalachian Outfitters River Trips

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2084 S. Chestatee GA Hwy. 60 S.
Dahlonega, GA 30533-5521
706-864-7117

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Arrowhead Park & Bike Trails at Lake Tobesofkee

Historic Heartland
Columbus Road near U.S. 80
Macon, GA 31220
478-474-8770

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Augusta Canal Headgates

Classic South
3300 Evans To Locks Rd.
Martinez, GA 30907
706-868-3349

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Augusta Canal National Heritage Area

Classic South
1450 Greene St.
Augusta, GA 30901-5237
706-823-0440

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Azalea Park

Atlanta Metro
203 Azalea Dr.
Roswell, GA 30075
770-640-3253

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Bald Mountain Camping Resort

Northeast Georgia Mountains
751 Gander Gap Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-8896

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Bald Ridge Creek Campground – Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
4100 Bald Ridge Rd.
Cumming, GA 30041
877-444-6777

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Ball’s Ferry Recreation Area

Historic Heartland
25698 GA-57
Toomsboro, GA 31090
706-595-4222

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Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge/Banks Lake Outpost

Plantation Trace
Off U.S. Hwy. 221
Lakeland, GA 31635
229-482-3453

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Barnsley Gardens Resort

Northwest Georgia Mountains
597 Barnsley Gardens Rd.
Adairsville, GA 30103
770-773-7480

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Barry’s Beach Service

Georgia Coast
420 Arnold Rd.
St. Simons Island, GA 31522
912-638-8053

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Bartow Gatewood Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
224 Bartow Beach Rd.
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-387-5163

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Bear Gap Outfitters

NE GA Mountains
6 Bear Gap Rd.
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-782-4438

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Beaver Run RV Park

Magnolia Midlands
Interstate 16 @ Exit 111 - 22321 Excelsior Church Rd.
Metter, GA 30439
912-685-2594

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Big Hart Campground – Clarks Hill Lake

Classic South
5258 Washington Rd.
Thomson, GA 30824
877-444-6777

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Big Haynes Creek Nature Center

Historic Heartland
1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy.
Conyers, GA 30013
770-860-4190

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Black Rock Mountain State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy.
Mountain City, GA 30525
706-746-2141

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Black Shoals Park

Historic Heartland
3001 Black Shoals Rd.
Conyers, GA 30012
770-761-1611

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Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking

Northwest Georgia Mountains
56 North River Rd.
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559
706-258-2411

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Blue Ridge, Georgia

Northwest Georgia Mountains
152 Orvin Lance Dr
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-632-5680

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Boundary Waters Resort and Marina

Northeast Georgia Mountains
528 Sunnyside Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-2530

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Broad River Natural Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 79 W.
Elberton, GA 30635
770-535-5700

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Broad River Outpost

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 281 7911 Wildcat Bridge Rd.
Danielsville, GA 30633
706-795-3242

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Broken Arrow Outfitters

Historic Heartland
106 Ag Village Boulevard
Perry, GA 31069
478-224-1616

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Buford Dam Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1200 Saddle Dike #3
Buford, GA 30518
770-945-9531

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Burton Mill Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6555 Yacht Club Rd.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
770-945-9531

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Featured Attractions