Upper Chattahoochee Paddle Trail

Excitement is building around the possible designation of an official paddle trail, or “blueway”, on the Chattahoochee River above Lake Lanier!

For decades, canoeists and kayakers of all experience levels have enjoyed a 39-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee from its confluence with Sautee Creek and the river, downstream of Hardman Farms, to Clarks Bridge on Lake Lanier. Used informally by individuals and commercial outfitters since the 1970s, this river section includes Class II and III rapids, depending on its level.

State and Federal Agencies Support Concept

In the late 1990s, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) developed a regional park strategy with a vision to create a series of parks along the Chattahoochee River. Subsequently, the state spent more than $14 million to purchase four large properties on the river as new state parks—Hardman Farm, Buck Shoals, Mossy Creek and Don Carter.

With technical assistance from the National Park Service (Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program), Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper conducted a paddle trail feasibility study that was completed in December 2009. The section of the river above Sautee Creek that includes Hardman Farm State Park was not included in the study area for the report.

The proposed paddle trail connects three state-owned park sites, two federally-owned recreation sites, one county-owned park, two sites owned by the state and run by a commercial outfitter, and two public access sites at bridge crossings. Each of the ten sites was evaluated for use as a potential put-in and take-out location for canoes and kayaks; tubing is not recommended for use in this river section.

On October 15, the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and partners celebrated the protection of three critical river access areas within the paddle trail boundaries that were acquired by TPL and then conveyed to DNR. The Gale family, who founded Wildwood Outfitters in 1972, sold two of the three parcels to TPL at a discount and will continue to operate their water recreation business. The third site at Mossy Creek State Park came originally from the John Stembler estate.

Jamie Higgins with Georgia Canoeing Association is working with UCR’s Bonny Putney to produce a video following paddlers down the trail. UCR plans to develop a trail map and other outreach materials in 2011, and we will continue to urge the state to officially designate the Upper Hooch Paddle Trail.

For more information, email UCR Headwaters Outreach Coordinator Bonny Putney.