The 20th annual Paddle Georgia adventure, a week-long canoe and kayak journey, will traverse Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama in June 2025, offering more than 300 participants an 80-mile exploration of the Tennessee River basin’s waterways and natural landmarks.
Scheduled for June 15-22, the event begins in Ringgold, Georgia, and follows the South Chickamauga Creek Water Trail, passing beneath limestone bluffs and through underground water passages before joining the Tennessee River. The journey continues through Chattanooga, the Tennessee River Gorge, and into Nickajack Lake before concluding in northeast Alabama.
Participants will encounter striking geological features, including Lookout Mountain, hundreds of caves, and the South Chickamauga Creek sink, which diverts part of the creek’s flow underground. The route also highlights iconic attractions like Rock City, Ruby Falls, the Tennessee Aquarium, and Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge.
The event combines environmental education, family activities, and outdoor recreation, offering fully catered meals, guided services, and camping options at facilities like East Ridge’s Camp Jordan, Tennessee River Place, and Stevenson City Park in Alabama.
Paddle Georgia aims to connect people with Georgia’s rivers while raising funds for river protection. Since 2005, the program has engaged more than 7,000 participants and raised over $900,000 for river conservation efforts, including water trail development and advocacy for cleaner waterways.
Registration opens in February 2025, with options for two, three, or four-day trips in addition to the full seven-day experience. For more details, visit www.garivers.org/paddle-georgia.
