Ever wonder why we’ve been doing this same trip–at the same time of year–in the same place for nearly a decade? Well, it’s because the lower Flint is so beautiful and so unique that we just keep coming back to it year after year. Even after all these years, it remains one of our most popular trips. Unlike any other river in South Georgia, the Flint will surprise you with its lively shoals, Swiss cheese-like limestone bluffs, beautiful blue hole springs and abundance of wildlife–both on land and in the water. This two-day, two-night canoe/kayak camping adventure takes in 36 miles of the Flint’s wonder. Along the way, you can choose your non-paddling activities: lounge on a sandbar, jump from a limestone cliff or take a dip in a chilling, breathtakingly beautiful blue hole spring. We’ll camp at Rocky Bend Flint River Retreat, a picturesque camp overlooking the river in Newton with tent camping, cabins for rent and RV camping sites. Restrooms with toilets and showers are provided. Catered meals will be served in an indoor, air-conditioned dining hall. Educational programs on the river and after dinner each evening will give you a greater understanding of the Flint and water issues shaping Southwest Georgia, the state’s most productive agricultural area. Click here for more details and registration information. 

The 22-mile adventure takes you through an incredible diversity of landscapes and introduces you the the wonder that is, well…one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders–the Okefenokee Swamp. Beginning at Stephen Foster State Park, the paddle route explores both the wide-open cypress-lined big water of the swamp as well as the intimate hardwood-lined “Narrows” as the swamp begins forming what will soon become the Suwannee River. From the Narrows, the route emerges into a prairie-like landscape dotted with majestic cypress before passing through the man-made Suwannee River Sill and into the Suwannee River proper. The route’s final 14 miles from Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo take in a beautiful and winding section of one of the South’s most fabled rivers. Wildlife? You bet! Expect to see lots of alligators! Camping is at Griffis Fish Camp, an historic old-school campground established in the 1930s. Restrooms with toilets and showers are provided along with tent camping. Individual RV campsites are also available for additional fees. Catered meals are served beneath a temporary shelter within our camping area. Space is limited for this adventure so register early! Kayak rentals are available. Click here for more details and registration information. 

This 15-mile paddling adventure shows off some of the best of the Okefenokee Swamp, exploring the iconic prairies of the swamp’s east side and the wooded narrows and cypress-lined path of the Suwannee River on the swamp’s east side. Upon completion of these paddle routes, you’ll understand why the Okefenokee has long been considered one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders and why it is now a candidate for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The trip features fully indoor accommodations at the Suwannee River Eco-Lodge, part of Stephen Foster State Park, catered meals and great educational programs each evening. We begin with dinner and program Friday evening, Dec. 1, followed by two days of paddling. Kayak rentals are available. Click here for more details and registration information. 

Georgia’s southern-most river is our destination for this annual rite of spring–a two-day, two-night canoe/kayak camping adventure on the blackwater St. Marys River as it winds along the Georgia-Florida border. The trip includes an optional third day of paddling in the nearby Okefenokee Swamp. Day 1 on the St. Marys will take us on a remote and rarely-visited portion of the river from Murray’s Landing to Traders Hill Landing. Day 2 will venture into the upper reaches of the tidally-influenced portion of the St. Marys, riding from Traders Hill to Camp Pinkney. Originating within the Okefenokee Swamp and known for its snow-white sandbars and mirror-like blackwater, the St. Marys is among Georgia’s most unspoiled and beautiful rivers.

You can also opt to come a day early and join us as we explore a portion of the Okefenokee Swamp noted for its open prairies, carnivorous aquatic plants and, of course, alligators! Camping will be in a grassy meadow beneath ancient live oak trees at historic Traders Hill Campground. Restrooms with showers, a large covered pavilion, catered meals and nightly educational programs round out the experience.

Registration fees range from $225-$375 and include camping, catered meals, educational programs, guided trips, shuttle service, river maps, Spring on the St. Marys t-shirt or other Georgia River Network swag, and loads of good times. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for additional costs. Link to information page coming soon!

Check out the two-day route below!

The Ocmulgee River Water Trail and the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park (potentially soon to become Georgia’s first national park and the first national park in the nation co-managed by a removed native tribe–the Muscogee Nation) are the destinations for this two-day adventure in Macon-Bibb County. Hint: It’s more than just a paddle trip. While you’ll explore the Ocmulgee River from Pope’s Ferry to downtown Macon over two days of paddling, you’ll also visit the ancient Ocmulgee Mounds and learn its history from current citizens of the Muscogee Nation. You’ll also have the opportunity, on your own and through group tours, to sample all the Macon has to offer–from a host of craft breweries in downtown to historic Rose Hill Cemetery and the Big House Allman Brothers Band Museum.

Day 1 we’ll take a short four-mile paddle from Amerson Park to downtown Macon, providing time for a visit to the Ocmulgee Mounds and other Macon attractions. Day 2 we’ll explore a 10-mile section of the river from Popes Ferry to Amerson Park filled with playful shoals and beautiful scenery. Unlike Georgia River Network’s typical weekend trips, you’ll be on your own for securing your lodging and meals. We’ll provide the logistical planning, river guide service, shuttle service and educational programs. Registration range from $70-$150. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for additional charges.

Check out the paddle route below!

Head back in time on this favorite paddle route through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area. Back in time because you’ll travel a route through wild, undisturbed forest that, strangely enough, once was home to the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory–a Cold War-era facility that performed numerous experiments on the effects of radiation as workers there also attempted to build a nuclear-powered airplane. Needless to say, the effort was a bust, but remnants of the old facility remain hidden in the forest and are visible at abandoned railroad bridges over the river that once serviced the lab. The 9-mile route features intimate paddling down a shaded path. Flatwater paddling is interrupted on occasion by small shoals, including the the double ledge fun at Radioactive Rapid. Mid-trip, you can stop for lunch at a picturesque “Barefoot Falls,” a tumbling waterfall on a small, unnamed tributary of the river. Registration fees range from $35-$75 and include guide services, shuttles services, river maps, educational programs and lots of good times. Canoe and kayak rentals are available for additional fees. Link to registration site coming soon!

Check out the paddle route below!

The largest week-long, canoe-kayak camping adventure in the country returns to the Altamaha River, site of our endlessly fun Paddle Georgia 2012 that took us down nearly the length of Georgia’s largest river from near Baxley to Darien. This year’s seven-day adventure will go beyond just the Altamaha as our route will begin on the Oconee River, take in the mighty “Forks” where the Oconee and Ocmulgee collide to form the Altamaha and include an excursion on the beautiful, blackwater Ohoopee. We’ll finish the epic 107-mile journey by winding through the Altamaha Delta along Rifle Cut and Darien Creek to the historic coastal town of Darien where we’ll celebrate the completion of our journey with a feast of the coast’s bounty. Registration fees are expected to range from $25-$475 with discounts for families and young adults. Don’t want to do all seven days? No problem. 2-Day and other multi-day packages will be offered. Registration fees include campsites, shuttle services, educational programs, river maps, Paddle Georgia t-shirt or other Georgia River Network swag, Paddle Georgia boat decal and guide services. Meal plans (all meals will be catered) can be purchased for additional fees.

Check out the Paddle Georgia 2024 route below.