Chattooga River
The Chattooga Wild and Scenic River flows through a protected wilderness corridor for 59 miles along the Georgia/South Carolina border in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The river is legendary for its intense rapids and rugged scenery. Paddling on the Chattooga, no matter which section, should be approached with the utmost respect due to being in a wilderness setting where cell phone service is nonexistent and help is generally a long hike away.
Most of this section is a scenic float trip, with one significant class II+ rapid: Big Shoals, which should be scouted before running. Though the river runs next to the road in this section, access to help or amenities is still very limited.
This section contains mostly Class II-III rapids, generally spaced from a half mile to over a mile apart. The last rapid, Bull Sluice (Class IV+) can be avoided by taking out at the top.
The Chattooga’s infamous Five Falls (Entrance, Corkscrew, Crack in the Rock, Jawbone, Soc ’em Dog) finish off this fast and intense whitewater run, which is only for the most experienced paddlers.
Directions
Difficulty
Paddling
Hours and Cost
Open Daily: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: Free. Guiding services vary.
Pet Friendly
Yes, on a leash along the bank and in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest.
Contact
Sumter National Forest—Andrew Pickens Ranger District
112 Andrew Pickens Cir.
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
864-638-9568