Half-day Paddle down the Chattahooche River from Johnson’s Ferry to Paces Mill, near Atlanta

Join a professional guide on this exciting paddling trip without leaving metro Atlanta.

This popular downstream section of the Chattahooche River runs 6.5 miles and features attractive landscapes, rock bluffs, and diverse wildlife such as Barred owls, hawks, and cranes. The water is flat and clear for most of our route.

This is not a particularly difficult paddle, but beginners may find that the shoals are a challenge and should always pay close attention to the river. At first the water is quite slow but there are more shoals and faster moving water about three miles in after passing under the Interstate 285 bridge. Once you navigate the last major shoal, the last 2.5 miles of the journey are less strenuous.

More experienced paddlers looking for an extra thrill will have an opportunity to work through class III (class IV after a rainstorm) rapids a mile into the trip where Sope Creek meets the river.

This is a fun adventure for novice and advanced paddlers alike, and you can partake without even leaving the Atlanta area. Enjoy the wildlife and if you’re a beginner, get some experience navigating around shoals! 

Check out other great excursions we offer in the Atlanta area like this rock climbing day on Yonah Mountain.