Alapaha River Water Trail

Water Trail Information

 The Alapaha River Water Trail connects 125 miles of the 202-mile Alapaha River. This blackwater river flows below bald cypress trees along with longleaf, slash and loblolly pines, and oak trees. Wildlife ranges from great blue herons and snapping turtles to alligators and fish. This mostly flatwater river does have an occasional rapid and springs along with two river sinks where the river goes underground until it rises up in the Alapaha Rise. This water trail also has many lakes, ponds, and swamps that are boatable year-round while some areas of the river can drop to less than a foot deep during dry seasons. The WWALS Watershed Coalition is responsible for the development of this water trail.

River Basin

Suwannee River Basin (9,950 square miles)

Location

Alapaha River Watershed (1,840 square miles)

Distance (in miles)         

129 miles

Number of Public Access Points

15 Public Access Points

Overnight Trip Option (yes/no)          

Yes – rough camping on islands and banks on river are allowed without a permit or reservation.
In Florida it is allowed with a free permit.

Classification of Trail

Class I rapids with majority of the river being flatwater. The blackwater river is undammed and has no industrial development with no large area of point source pollution.

Outfitters

Mood Force Support Squadron – (229) 569-0147

Moody Air Force Base – (229) 257-1375

Valdosta State University Center for Outdoor Recreational Experiences – (229) 333-5898

Website

Interactive Map 

Brochure

Partnering Organizations/ Businesses

Lowndes County, Georgia, Hamilton County, Florida, Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, Valdosta-Lowndes County Tourism Authority, Hamilton County, Florida Board of Commissioners, Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority, Berrien County, Georgia, Lanier County Board of Commissioners, Atkinson County Board of Commissioners, Valdosta Mayor and City Council, and Lanier County Emergency Management.

Nearest Population Center

Valdosta, Georgia is the nearest population center with an approximate total of 56,400 people. Following Valdosta, Georgia will be Tifton, Georgia (approximately 16,700 people), Alapaha, Georgia (approximately 670 people), Nashville, Georgia (approximately 4,800 people), Willacoochee, Georgia (approximately 1,300 people), Lakeland, Georgia (approximately 3,400 people), Statenville, Georgia (approximately 1,000 people), Jennings, Florida (approximately 860 people), and Jasper, Florida (approximately 4,500 people).

Contact Information

Chris Graham, Chair, Alapaha Water Trail Committee

 protectiongeorgiawatershed@gmail.com

John S. Quarterman, President, WWALS Watershed Coalition

wwalswatershed@gmail.com