Etowah River Water Trail

Paddling above Allatoona

Above Lake Allatoona the Etowah is a free-flowing river of mostly easy water, with two serious hazards in the upper reaches. Launches here run from the Chattahoochee National Forest down to the lake, and most are informal, so plan where you’ll put in and take out before you go.

Upper river: Hightower to Dawsonville

This is the wildest and most challenging stretch. The uppermost access is Hightower Church Road in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and several bridge crossings below it have informal roadside access only.

• Etowah Falls (about river mile 142): a Class IV drop of about 12 feet, roughly 4 miles below the GA 9 bridge in Lumpkin County. Scout it first. Portage on river right, and only with the landowner’s permission.
• Mining tunnel: a Class II+ tunnel between Castleberry Bridge Road and GA 136, hand-dug by gold miners to divert the river. Only paddle through if you can see daylight all the way through, and watch for logjams below the exit. It’s on private land, so view it only from the water.
• Amicalola Creek: the access at GA 53 is in Dawson Forest WMA and has an accessible fishing platform. A Georgia DNR license or Lands Pass is required for ages 16 and up. Downstream of it the water is Class III–IV+ whitewater for experts only.

Middle river: Dawsonville to Canton

Wildlife management areas and public parks make this stretch easier to reach. It’s mostly flatwater with small shoals.

Lower river: Canton to Lake Allatoona

Developed launches and an easy current make this the best stretch for beginners. The river gradually meets the lake at Knox Bridge.

Launches above Allatoona

River miles are measured upstream from the river’s mouth. Listed from upstream to downstream.

Gober Beach is on East Cherokee Drive near Ball Ground, about 13 river miles above Etowah River Park. Park only where it’s legal. The lot can need four-wheel drive after rain.

Check the river before you go

Look at the live USGS gauges below GA 53 and at Canton before you leave. Levels change quickly, and the upper river is much more dangerous at high water.

Paddling below Allatoona Dam

Bartow County has about 36 miles of river and four public sites that open up 17 miles of it. Distances between launches:

Paddling takes longer than you’d expect when the current is slow, so plan your trip with extra time.

Plan your trip safely

• Paddle only in daylight.
• Check river levels before you go. Each launch on the map has a link when a USGS gauge is nearby.
• Respect private property and don’t trespass. Use the public access points.
• Allow extra time. A slow current can add hours to a trip.

Rentals and outfitters

Outfitters along the trail include Appalachian Outfitters (Dahlonega), The Outside World (Dawsonville), Euharlee Creek Outfitters (Euharlee), and the Coosa River Basin Initiative (Rome).

Who looks after the trail?

The Etowah River Water Trail Stakeholders Group coordinates the trail. It’s a mix of local governments, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. The group installs kiosks and maps at access points, puts up road signs to launches, and helps local governments build new ones. The trail is part of the Georgia Water Trail Network. Partners include Bartow, Forsyth, Cherokee, Dawson, and Floyd counties, and the cities of Canton, Cartersville, Euharlee, and Rome. They also include the Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Upper Etowah River Alliance, and the Georgia Canoeing Association.

Want to help protect the river? Join the Upper Etowah River Alliance.