The 163-mile Etowah River Water Trail provides a path into one of the state's most historically significant and one of the nation's most biologically diverse rivers. Currently, seven developed public boat landings, numerous undeveloped public access points and several boat ramps on Lake Allatoona (the river's only impoundment) provide journeys of varying lengths along the river's course. Local governments, including Dawson, Forsyth, Cherokee and Bartow counties as well as the cities of Canton and Cartersville, are working in conjunction with private landowners, and the non-profit organizations Upper Etowah River Alliance, Coosa River Basin Initiative, Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia and Mountain Stewards to develop new and improve existing public access points to what many call North Georgia's "best family paddling destination." Promoters of the trail have also launched a comprehensive online guide to the river at www.etowahwatertrail.org.
