River rats, it’s time to grab your paddles and hit the Hooch.
The Georgia Conservancy, REI and Chattahoochee NOW will host a flat-water paddle July 19 that follows a relatively underutilized 11-mile stretch of the river.
The event is part of the Heartland Rivers of Georgia Paddle Series, which is designed to get people out to the state’s underutilized rivers including part of the Chattahoochee south of Atlanta.
“If someone is planning a trip, they head north and we want everyone to know what a beautiful river we have flowing out of Atlanta to Columbus and south of there,” said Bryan Schroeder, senior director of stewardship and outreach for the conservancy.
The trip will begin at Riverview Landing, just outside of I-285, and end near Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Participants can bring their own canoe or kayak or rent a kayak from REI.
Later, Chattahoochee NOW and the Georgia Conservancy will host an after-paddle campfire party at Riverview Landing featuring a riverside cookout, live music from City Mouse and SweetWater Brewing Co. beer. The after-paddle party is open to the public with a donation of $10 a person.
Registration for the river trip is $25 and includes shuttle service, guide service and a complimentary invitation to the after-paddle party. The deadline to sign up is 6 p.m. July 18.
In the fall, the conservancy, a statewide environmental organization, will return to the Chattahoochee to host its inaugural paddle at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Participants will then camp out at the park.
To register and for more information, go to www.georgiaconservancy.org/riverview.
About the Author
