Type of River:  Experienced to expert is needed for this river.  Fast currents, exposed rocks and big waterfalls make this river a total adventure.

This river forms the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina. In 1972, the movie "Deliverance," filmed on the river, drew thousands of unprepared paddlers not familiar with the hidden dangers associated with the Chattooga. One needs to know the river, especially its limited access points and certain characteristics of the rapids.

Section IV
The last seven miles of the Chattooga River is where the best, most exciting whitewater and scenery can be found in the Southeast. Class III and IV's are common, with one class VI (Woodall Hole).

Bridge to Woodall
The first two miles of Section IV (Hwy. 76 Bridge to Woodall Shoals Beach) are a collection of rapids closer together, as well as, longer and larger than those located upstream. Most of the rapids in this portion of Section IV are class III drops or technical shoal-type areas. Among the rapids located in this stretch are Surfing Rapid, Screaming Left Hand Turn, and Rock Jumble, all located above the long calm spot known as Sutton's Hole. At the end of this portion are Woodall Hole and Woodall Shoals. It is important to make note that Woodall Hole is a class VI, Keeper Hydraulic. This rapid combination should always be scouted, taking out at the upper end of the rock formation forming Woodall Hole, on river left. This is also the method of portage. The Hole may be cheated on far river right when the water level is high enough. The shoals extend for approximately 200' beyond the initial ledge at Woodall Hole.

Seven Foot Falls
A few hundred feet down stream of Woodall is Seven Foot Falls, the first, very large drop on this section of the river. Always scout these rapids. Seven Foot is a very tall, complicated drop, run sideways left to right. Beware of the left tongue in this drop.

Stekoa Creek and Long Creek Falls
One mile down stream of Seven Foot, Stekoa Creek enters the river on river right. Approximately 200' downstream of Stekoa, Long Creek enters the Chattooga. Long Creek Falls is worth a pause to see and is only approximately 50' from the river's edge, but be cautious on the slippery rocks and do not climb onto the waterfall. A variety of plant and animal species, some rare, make this location their home and stepping on some plant-life can kill it.

Deliverance Rock and Raven Chute
Further down stream of Long Creek Falls are the rapids Deliverance Rock and Raven Chute, both large rapids with undercut rock and pot hole hazards. Deliverance Rock is the rapid with the bus-size boulder at the bottom right and Raven Chute is easily identified from the 200' tall rock formation (Raven Rock) encircling river left, just down stream of the rapid.

Camp Creek
Approximately one mile downstream of Raven Rock is the high water takeout for Section IV, Camp Creek. This river right, small beach and trail are the last chance for an exodus, before entering the Five Falls, the major rapid section of Section IV.

Five Falls
The Five Falls are the crowning achievement of the 250 million year old, geological processes of the Chattooga River. Five class IV-V rapids; Entrance (First Ledge), Corkscrew, Crack In The Rock, Jawbone and Sock-em Dog, in rapid succession, in a narrow, boulder-strewn strip of whitewater emptying into a pool of water known as Dead man's Pool. The gradient drop of the five falls averages almost 300' per mile, an extreme loss of elevation in whitewater terms. It is an area of dangerous hydraulics and unseen underwater hazards, some of which are almost certainly fatal. Never attempt to raft or boat the Five Falls of the Chattooga River without a seasoned, professional guide, and/or extensive class IV, or above, personal whitewater experience. Even then, it is recommended you go for your first trip with someone with Chattooga River experience and only after extensive research on the river and area.

Shoulder Bone
Dead Man's Pool flows into Shoulder Bone Rapid, containing hazards of its own. Do not ease up your guard, just when you have managed to successfully navigate the Five Falls. While this location is a breath-taking sight and ride, it is equally as hazardous.