Fellow River Lovers,

I have a new fall tradition for you to try: explore a water trail the same way you would a hiking trail!

Just like hiking trails, water trails have access points and are suitable for day-trips. We now have over 50 water trails across the state mapped on our Georgia River Guide app. It's easy to find a water trail and plan a trip in just a few taps!

Georgia Rivers is proud to be the nonprofit partner managing Georgia DNR's Georgia Water Trails Network. Our leadership is essential to promoting waterways, ensuring safe access to river recreation, and advocating for their protection.

I hope to see you on Georgia Water Trails this fall! Cooler temps also mean fewer bugs and more fish bites! Camp and paddle with us during the Fall Float on the Flint weekend trip October 10 - 12 or cast a line at our second Intro to Kayak Fishing workshop Sept 13.

Yours in river recreation and conservation, 

Rena Ann Peck

Executive Director

Rena on the Yellow River Water Trail

Upcoming Events

Georgia Rivers Gala Supports Georgia Water Trails

The Georgia Rivers Gala is SOLD OUT for the third year in a row, but you can still be part of the celebration by joining our kayak raffle!

Raffle tickets are just $5 each! All proceeds go directly to support Georgia’s water trails and river conservation, from the Chattahoochee and Ocmulgee River Water Trails to the Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail.

Win a Crescent CK1 Venture — an 11-foot, high-weight-capacity throw-and-go kayak built for paddling performance and ready to explore Georgia’s waterways.

You do not have to be present to win. If you’re attending the Gala, we can’t wait to celebrate with you. If not, your raffle ticket still gives you a chance to take home this amazing prize. The winning ticket will be drawn at the Georgia Rivers Gala on September 18 in Atlanta.

A huge thank you to Murphs Surf for donating this new kayak!

Georgia Leaders Float Georgia Water Trails

Georgia legislators and their families joined Georgia Rivers, Georgia Canoeing Association and Nantahala Outdoor Center for a special float down the Chattahoochee River National Water Trail.

This famous water trail is a premiere outdoor recreation tourism destination that floats tens of thousands of people annually and has been an Atlanta favorite since the 1970s.

Together we are working to ensure water trails like the Chattahoochee River National Water Trail, and others on smaller rivers and streams, remain open and accessible to Georgians and the millions of tourists that visit our state annually.

Over 50 Water Trails Now on the Georgia River Guide App

Plan a safe, enjoyable water trail adventure! With 15 new water trails added this summer alone, you may be surprise to find one near you.

New Water Trails Added Summer 2025:

• Alabaha River Water Trail
• Alapahoochee River Water Trail
• Big Cedar Creek Water Trail
• Brier Creek Water Trail
• Chestatee River Water Trail
• Coosa River Water Trail
• Ebenezer Creek Water Trail
• Flat Shoals Creek Water Trail
• Ichawaynochaway Creek Water Trail
• Lazer Creek Water Trail
• Little Tallapoosa River Water Trail
• Little River of Putnam County Water Trail
• Murder Creek Water Trail
• Nottely River Water Trail
• Tesnatee Creek Water Trail

The Georgia River Guide app also has new safety features including real-time warnings for low or high water (based on recommended runnable levels and USGS gauges), real-time warnings about e coli bacteria levels based on USGS gauges, and access to dam release schedules according to USACE and Georgia Power published dam releases.

A big thanks to our interns Harshavardhan Meka and Nazim Malwan, and our partners at GeoMarvel, for reaching this milestone!

Intro to Kayak Fishing with Top Anglers

Our August Intro to Kayak Fishing Class was a huge success! A wealth of knowledge was shared by both instructors and students alike.

Our Intro to Kayak Fishing class is designed to get you more comfortable using your kayak for fishing, more familiar with your fishing gear and techniques, and better equipped to use your kayak to enhance your fishing experience.

Nationally certified ACA Kayak and Kayak Fishing instructors help you every step of the way (and might show you some tips to catch more fish!)

Join our September 13 Intro to Kayak Fishing class!

Congratulations to our newly ACA certified Kayak, River Kayak and Kayak Fishing instructors!

After an intense and robust instructor certification workshop, we are proud to congratulate the following folks on their new ACA instructor certifications: Joshua Andrews, Dakota Counts, Jackson Gibbs, McLain Martin and Robin Simms. Geoff Chambers added a Kayak Fishing Instructor Certification!

Special thanks to Francheska Hebden, Geoff Chambers and Geoff Luckett for leading these folks through such an awesome course.

Upcoming ACA Instructor Certification UPDATE/UPGRADE

Instructors, have you checked the expiration date on your current ACA instructor certification? Is it time to get an UPDATE? Are you ready to UPGRADE?

ACA Kayak and River Kayaking instructors can UPDATE or UPGRADE for Level 2/3 River Kayaking Instructor Certification September 5 - 7.

This workshop also include an option for Level 3 Sit on Top instructor certification.

Paddle-a-thon, our annual paddling competition and peer-to-peer fundraising event, has one month left! Thank you for paddling to protect the rivers you love!

Each category has unique prizes specific to the type of paddling you enjoy. Certain prizes are only available to members of our partner community paddling groups like the Georgia Canoeing Association (paid membership required for prizes), Middle Georgia Kayaking Facebook group, Atlanta SUPper Club Facebook group, Georgia Kayak Fishing Facebook group, and Kayak Georgia Facebook group.

Log ALL paddle trips you take using our Adventure Log form. Don't forget you can log any trips you take from January 1 to the end of Paddle-a-thon in October!

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