Paddling the Rivers and Lakes Near Helen
Unicoi Lake, the upper Chattahoochee, big lakes and the Toccoa, with seasons checked
The short answer
Where to paddle
The easiest paddle near Helen is Unicoi Lake, a 53-acre park lake about 10 minutes from downtown. If you want moving water, the upper Chattahoochee south of town and the Toccoa River near Blue Ridge are the two classic rivers; for big lakes, head to Burton, Rabun or Chatuge.
Most outfitters run seasonal schedules, and fall is the shoulder season, so call before you drive.
Rentals at a glance
| Outfitter | Where | What you get | Season and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi State Park visitor center | 1788 Highway 356, Helen (706-878-2201) | Kayaks, paddleboards and aqua cycles on 53-acre Unicoi Lake | Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, 10 AM to 5 PM, last boat out by 4. Call 24 hours ahead. Season over for 2026. |
| Wildwood Outfitters | 26 Megan Drive, Cleveland, 13 miles south of Helen on Highway 384 (706-865-4451) | Kayak rentals and shuttles on the upper Chattahoochee | Open year-round on a changing schedule: weekends in March and October, seven days a week from late June through August. Rentals until 2 PM; last private-boat shuttle 4:45 PM. |
| Moccasin Creek State Park | 3655 Highway 197, Clarkesville (706-947-3194) | Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and canoes on Lake Burton | Warm months; call for rates |
| Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking | 56 N River Road, Mineral Bluff (706-258-2411) | Six-mile Lower Toccoa trip from $45 (up to 3 hours); extended trip from $65; bring-your-own-boat shuttle from $20 | Its site shows a late-season close in early September; call for next spring |
| Toccoa Valley Campground | 11481 Aska Road, Blue Ridge (706-838-4317) | Kayak and raft rentals with a free shuttle | Water activities are closed until May 1, 2027; camping runs through October 31 |
Checked on each outfitter's own site in October 2026: Unicoi Lodge, Wildwood, Georgia State Parks, Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking and Toccoa Valley Campground.
The Chattahoochee
On the water you're hearing the river instead of the highway. Wildwood Outfitters runs trips on the upper Chattahoochee, from leisurely floats to whitewater, with shuttles for private boaters. Trips and rental windows shrink outside summer, so call 706-865-4451 for current times. The Chattahoochee through downtown Helen is better known for tubing; see our tubing guide.
The Toccoa near Blue Ridge
The Toccoa River near Blue Ridge is the other river trip people drive for: cold, clear water and a six-mile float that Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking runs downstream to Curtis Switch. It's about 75 minutes from Helen. The outfitters have mostly wrapped up the season, so plan it for spring.
Lakes
Lakes are the easy way to paddle: wakes are the main hazard on the big ones, and they're calm in the morning. See our guides to Lake Burton (2,775 acres), Lake Rabun (835 acres) and Lake Chatuge (about 7,000 acres), or the overview of lakes near Helen.
Tips
Wear a life jacket
Georgia requires one on board for every person, and kids 12 and under must wear one underway.
Check the flow
After heavy rain, rivers rise fast and get pushy. Ask your outfitter before launching.
Call ahead in fall
Many outfitters run weekend-only schedules in October.
Dress for cold water
Mountain water stays cold. Dress for the water, not the air.
Common questions
Where can I paddle near Helen?
Unicoi Lake is 10 minutes away and has summer rentals. For the Chattahoochee, Wildwood Outfitters south of Helen runs kayak rentals and shuttles. Lake Burton, Lake Rabun and Lake Chatuge are a half hour to an hour away. The Toccoa River near Blue Ridge is about 75 minutes.
Can I rent a kayak in October?
Wildwood Outfitters is open weekends in October. Unicoi's season ended after Labor Day weekend, and the Toccoa outfitters have closed for the year or set seasonal dates, so call first.
Is the Chattahoochee in downtown Helen good for kayaking?
The river through town is a tubing river in summer. For kayaks with shuttle service, Wildwood Outfitters is the established option on the upper Chattahoochee.
How much does a Toccoa River trip cost?
Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking lists its six-mile Lower Toccoa trip from $45 for up to three hours, the extended trip from $65, and a bring-your-own-boat shuttle from $20.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
