Where to Go Kayaking in Blue Ridge

Enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and pastoral lands, while kayaking small rapids or calm lake waters in Blue Ridge. Whether you have your own equipment or need to rent it, or you’re deciding between a guided trip or a solo venture, these tips and outfitters can help.

Kayaking with a little help from your friends

Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking

If you’re looking for a shuttle service for your trip down the Toccoa River, then give a call to the folks from Blue Ridge Mountain Kayaking.

You can book an unguided trip for six-mile river kayaking. Single kayak or tandem kayak rentals are available. Or bring your own equipment and leverage their shuttle service.

How long is that? Well, that all depends on the water level and whether there has been a recent release from the Blue Ridge dam. The paddle takes about two hours when the water is rushing from the release, and about three hours otherwise.

Now, if you want to do some mountain fishing in Georgia, then try their fishing kayak. You stay out as long as you want. (Well, you need to be back by 6 p.m. to return your equipment and catch the shuttle.) Not available on holidays or dam release days.

Jon Ron Toccoa River Outfitters

Jon Ron also offers kayak (or canoeing) options, with half-day and full-day trips available. Ideal for a full day trip would be putting in at Deep Hole, which is the start of the Toccoa Canoe Trail, and coming out at Sandy Bottom.

You can rent sit-in or sit-on kayaks, which come with life jackets, paddles and the minimum shuttle. Jon Ron is also happy to customize a trip for your time and interest like fishing, swimming or taking a paddle on Lake Blue Ridge in one of the beautiful coves.

Rolling Thunder River Company

The Rolling Thunder River Company offers kayak rentals, in addition to tube and canoe rentals for heading down the Toccoa River. They offer 1.5-mile, three-mile and six-mile trips.

Toccoa River Tubing Company

The Toccoa River Tubing Company offers more than tubing trips with single and double kayak rentals, and they also offer shuttle services if you have your own kayak.

Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters

Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters offers single kayaks, tandem and fishing kayaks. Offer kayaking on Lake Blue Ridge. They also offer additional services to enjoy the water, guided fishing, standup paddle boards and more.

The Paddle Zone

The Paddle Zone, new to the area offers kayak trips on the Toccoa River.

Kayaking on your own

If you’ve got your own equipment, then consider a kayak trip around Lake Blue Ridge from Morganton Point. There is a kayak launch here, and this trip means you don’t need a friend to pick you up after your trip. Explore the islands while you’re there. In fact, pitch a tent at one of the 50 sites and make a weekend of it.

Have you made shuttle plans with a friend? The Toccoa River Canoe Trail is a 13.8-mile river trail that begins at the Deep Hole Recreation Area and ends at the take-out point at Sandy Bottoms. It’s a great beginner-level trail and perfect for those who want to experience a few rapids, and a lot of relaxing and beautiful views! $5 fee for parking.

Once again, just be sure to mind the Lake Blue Ridge dam release schedule (link above), especially if you’re new to kayaking. You don’t want to catch a little white capping on your first time out.