Paddle Georgia 2026

Starts Feb 28 and End in Rome on July 18!

Paddle Georgia 2026 will chart a 95-mile course through North Georgia from Georgia’s Apple Capital of Ellijay to the city of three rivers, Rome. The journey will take us down the Cartecay, Coosawattee, Oostanaula and Coosa rivers. In total, you’ll have a chance to dip your paddle in seven different rivers (the Ellijay, Conasuga and Etowah all flow into our route). That’s a Paddle Georgia record!

The trip will take us from Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Class I and II rapids of the Cartecay and Coosawattee will thrill; across a portion of Carters Lake (where you may curse the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for damming the beautiful Coosawattee!) and through the Ridge and Valley region on the Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers replete with rich Native American history (the capitol of the Cherokee Nation was at the confluence of the Coosawattee and Conasauga rivers!) and unparalleled aquatic biodiversity (the Upper Coosa is one of North America’s most diverse river systems).

As always, we’ll have top-notch campsites with restrooms, showers and air-conditioned respite areas, catered meals and nightly educational and entertainment programs. On river and off, you’ll have the opportunity to visit area attractions, historic sites and more. And, don’t forget the people! You’ll be paddling with a great group of more than 300 river enthusiasts!