Chattooga River
The Chattooga River flows elegantly through the foothills of Georgia’s Appalachia region. Widely recognized as one of the premier whitewater destinations in the world, this beautiful river and the surrounding watershed offer a total experience for all nature lovers.
Since its 1974 congressional designation as a "Wild and Scenic River", the Chattooga has remained a uniquely natural environment. It’s been said that the Chattooga’s 180,000 acre watershed contains more species of trees than the entire continent of Europe. We’ll leave the counting to you. A good place to start is the Chattahoochee National Forest, which banks the rivers to the west. The forests surrounding the Chattooga are home to a multitude of flowers, plants, trees and animals – including the rare white wildflower, the Oconee Bell, which briefly blooms in the spring.
As you investigate the Chattooga, you’ll discover that waterfalls are plentiful throughout this area, and hiking and mountain biking trails are also ample. There are even multiple options for horseback riding that include bringing your own horse to explore designated trails within the national forest. If you want to spend time fishing, you have your pick from many lakes, ponds, streams and creeks that are brimming with fish.
The surrounding communities are heavy with hospitality and rich in a diverse culture reflective of the varied origins of the area’s settlers. You’re likely to see and hear traces of early mountain life: an elderly farmer still plowing his steep fields with a team of horses, story swapping on store porches, traditional bluegrass music on a community radio station, hand-carved crafts, the sounds of fiddles and dulcimers, and small white churches dotting the hillsides. When listening to the mountain dialect, you can still hear words and expressions from pre-colonial times.
Come to Georgia and enjoy a hidden gem that offers outstanding scenery ranging from thundering falls to dense forests – a wilderness experience like no other.
Travel Resources:
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Georgia Tourism Events Calendar
Georgia Tourism Search Engine
Request Georgia Travel Guide or Brochures
Related Sites:
Chattahoochee National Forest
Chattooga River Conservancy
Chattooga River Area
Nantahala Outdoor Center
Southeastern Expeditions
Wildwater Ltd