Chattooga Wild & Scenic River
Cold, clear whitewater on the Georgia-South Carolina line, about 1 to 1.5 hours from Helen.
The short answer
Choosing a trip
Section III or Section IV
| Trip | On the water | Price from | Minimum age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section III | About 6 hours | $109 | 8 | The beginner's choice. Lunch included. |
| Section IV | About 7 hours | $120 | 12 | Includes the Five Falls rapids. Lunch included. |
| Overnight adventure | Both sections | $425 | 12 | Meals included. |
| Kayak clinic | Instruction | $195 | See outfitter | One-on-one training. |
Prices and age limits from Southeastern Expeditions, which says it has run trips on the Chattooga for more than 50 years. Call 800-868-7238 to confirm the 2027 season.
About the river
The Chattooga runs 57 miles from near Cashiers, North Carolina, to Lake Tugalo, Georgia, and is protected as a Wild and Scenic River (May 10, 1974). James Dickey's novel Deliverance is set on a fictional river, the Cahulawassee, that closely resembles it, and scenes for the 1972 film were shot along the Chattooga. The Detour has the story of what that movie did to the river, Burt Reynolds's tailbone included. The commercial rafting stretches are Sections III and IV. Section III runs Class II to IV rapids. Section IV is steeper and includes Bull Sluice and Five Falls, five Class III to V rapids packed into about a quarter mile.
Private boaters can run the river too, but the upper sections and Section IV demand real skill. If you aren't an experienced paddler, go with a guide.
What to bring
Synthetic clothing
A swimsuit or quick-dry layers beat cotton, which stays cold and heavy when wet.
Water shoes and a strap
Shoes that stay on your feet, and a strap for your sunglasses.
A dry change
Leave dry clothes and a towel in the car for the ride back.
Sunscreen
You'll be out in sun reflected off the water most of the day.
Getting there
Clayton is about an hour from Helen on the way to Rabun County, and you can combine the trip with Tallulah Gorge or Black Rock Mountain. Check the gorge release calendar before planning the drive. If you want something gentler, the Chattahoochee tubing in Helen is a different kind of float. The daily season runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and outfitters may open on warm weekends in the fall, so call ahead.
Keep planning
Planning the day
Build the day around the meeting point you're given when you book, since Southeastern Expeditions says meeting points vary. Clayton is about an hour (31 miles) from Helen, and the trips themselves take most of the day: about 6 hours on the water for Section III and about 7 for Section IV, with lunch included on both. That means an early start from Helen and a late return, so don't stack other plans on the same day. If you want a second stop another day, Tallulah Gorge and Black Rock Mountain are both in the same part of the state.
Guided trips run in the warm season. The outfitter hasn't published 2027 dates, so call 800-868-7238 or check its site before you plan.
Chattooga questions
Which Chattooga trip is best for beginners?
Section III: about 6 hours on the water, from $109, minimum age 8, lunch included. Section IV is steeper and includes Five Falls, so it's for rafters 12 and up who want bigger rapids.
How much does Chattooga rafting cost?
Southeastern Expeditions lists Section III from $109, Section IV from $120 and an overnight adventure from $425. A kayak clinic is $195.
How far is the Chattooga from Helen?
Clayton, where Chattooga trips are based, is about an hour and 31 miles from Helen. Rafting meeting points vary, so confirm yours when you book.
What is Five Falls?
Five Class III to V rapids packed into about a quarter mile, on Section IV, after Bull Sluice.
Can I raft the Chattooga in fall?
Guided trips run in the warm season, and 2027 dates haven't been published. Call Southeastern Expeditions at 800-868-7238 to confirm.
Was Deliverance filmed on the Chattooga?
James Dickey's novel Deliverance is set on a fictional river, the Cahulawassee, that closely resembles the Chattooga, and scenes for the 1972 film were shot along the real one.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
