Paddle Georgia, Atlanta’s annual week-long canoe/kayak camping excursion, is returning June 15-22 to take paddlers on a journey spanning three different states.
Organized by Georgia Rivers, a nonprofit that aims to connect people with local bodies of water, this year’s event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary by taking guests on a unique route that begins in Georgia and heads north into Tennessee and Alabama.
The event begins in Ringgold, Georgia, along South Chickamauga Creek, a scenic waterway that flows beneath limestone bluffs, over “playful” shoals and even includes an underground stretch.
Following South Chickamauga Creek, participants will traverse along the Tennessee River, winding through Chattanooga into Alabama’s Nickajack Lake.
After passing through Nickajack Lock, the experience will conclude in northeast Alabama, covering a total of 80-plus miles over the course of the seven-day event.
Along the way, Georgia Rivers said that Paddle Georgia will shine a spotlight on the Tennessee RiverLine, a “transformative water trail initiative that encompasses a continuous 652-mile-long system of outdoor recreation experiences along the Tennessee River.”
“This is our 20th year of doing these annual adventures,” said Rena Peck, executive director of Georgia Rivers. “We’ve skirted South Carolina on the Savannah River and even stroked into Florida on the Withlacoochee and Suwannee, but this one will be unique. It’s a GA-TENN-BAMA adventure!”
Designed as an environmental education adventure for families, the event features several programs and activities for all ages, including the opportunity to be certified as a volunteer water monitor, as well as giving attendees the chance to take part in a river cleanup, among others.
Off the water, participants will get to explore a number of destinations, such as downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium, Russell Cave National Monument, Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge and more.
“Participants like to call it summer camp for adults and families,” said Joe Cook, Paddle Georgia coordinator. “It’s an opportunity to embark on an epic adventure, meet great people and see our region’s natural beauty from a unique perspective. And, the best part, we do all the planning for you.”
A portion of the registration fees from the event will go towards Georgia Rivers’ ongoing advocacy efforts to protect rivers across the state.
Since 2005, the event has brought in over 7,000 participants and raised more than $900,000.
“The result of this participation is that Georgia’s streams are getting cleaner as more people advocate on their behalf, participate in river cleanups and hold state regulators and water users accountable for protecting our water,” said Peck.
Registration is now open to the public on the Georgia Rivers website. Attendees are expected to provide their own boats for the event.