Protect Georgia Rivers

Georgia rivers are the source of life in our state. Clean flowing rivers provide drinking water, powerful rivers provide energy, and healthy waterways sustain our ecosystems and draw us to connect with nature.

Georgia Rivers protects rivers and public access to float them through science and advocacy to ensure all rivers are clean, healthy and safe to swim. Our mission is to keep rivers open for outdoor recreation, ensure the responsible use of water resources, and provide a clean water legacy for future generations. We unite river protectors and provide leadership for the Georgia Water Coalition, Okefenokee Protection Alliance, and Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition, and serve as the fiscal sponsor for these civic groups. We are Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner coordinating the Georgia Water Trails Network.

Paddle Georgia Rivers

Georgia rivers are a place of transformation for those picking up a paddle for the first time and avid paddlers alike. No one is the same after a wild experience on a river, stream, lake or swamp water trail.  We believe Georgia rivers have the power to reunite us with nature and with each other.  Georgia rivers are gathering places for healing, empowerment, and community. 

Georgia Rivers offers paddle trips and paddlesports training to welcome everyone out on our rivers.

We host paddle trips and weekend adventures on rivers in every part of the state. Our annual Paddle Georgia trip includes up to 400 participants and is the largest week-long canoe and kayaking camping adventure of its kind in the nation. 

Georgia Rivers offers paddle training through water safety classes, kayak skills classes, and kayak instructor certification courses. Our paddlesports training pathway bridges the knowledge gap for paddlers looking to increase their skills and maximize their fun on Georgia rivers.

Explore Georgia Rivers

With over 70,000 miles of rivers and streams across the state, you are never more than a few miles from a waterway ready for exploration. Georgia Rivers is dedicated to providing everything you need to safely explore the rivers near you.

Georgia Rivers is the state’s nonprofit partner running the Georgia Water Trail Network. This network of water trails, similar to hiking trails, includes nearly 40 waterways and 2,350 paddling miles. These water trails promote outdoor recreation tourism for rural economic development and improve quality of life for all Georgians.

Discover and explore Georgia water trails on our free Georgia River Guide mobile app and dive deeper into the rich cultural and natural history of Georgia rivers in our Georgia River User’s Guidebook series.