Type of River: Smooth water with some shoals.  Great for beginner to intermediate

 

The shorter trip covers about six and a half miles, which usually takes between two and three hours, depending on the current. Starting at Highway 52 stretches it out to four to five hours including a break for lunch. There are six or seven sets of small rapids. None of these are too challenging, although inexperienced paddlers can certainly flip their boats. The longer trip has a long shoal at Highway 19 that may have to be portaged if water levels are low.  Bring along a fishing net and collect golf balls as you meander through a golf course fairway.

The river is isolated, especially considering the proximity to Atlanta. There are a few houses on the river right at the put-in, but there are none once you get going. At about the halfway point is an area called Big Bend Beach. This is a good spot for lunch. Be careful coming to this point because the river tends to want to pull you into a log in the middle of the river. Stay right, go around the log, and head left to the beach.

Downstream of the beach is a quiet section that probably has more turtles than you have ever seen anywhere. In the last half mile before the takeout are the most exciting rapids of the day: YeeHaw, Bass in the Boat, and Last But Not Least. Stay to the right on all of these or you'll end up dragging in all but the highest water conditions.

The takeout is at the GA 400 bridge.

From Atlanta, take GA 400 north until it ends. Take a left on US 19 towards Dahlonega. In a couple of miles, you'll see a golf course on the right as you're crossing the bridge over the Chestatee River.  Stay on past the 400 end (Long Branch Road) and turn left on 52 at the stop sign.  Look for the river crossing ahead past the restaurant.  Park on the dirt road before the bridge on the right.