- Located in northeast Georgia, 23 miles from Athens on Ga. Hwy 281, the scenic Broad River has 70 miles of continuous navigable water. Most of this free flowing river is mild with no rapids. One section has exciting but easy Class II rapids, suitable for beginners yet fun for the more advanced paddler. The Broad has "the Waterfall"; an avoidable 5 ft drop which is a definite "cheap thrill." The 6.5 mile section -The Broad- contains 7 shoals, each with individual ledges and sloughs.
Our two basic trips are the upper 5 miles ( 2-3 hours) or 10 miles ( 3-6 hours) of moving water and the lower 6.5 miles of class II beginner whitewater ( 3-4 hours). Times will vary depending on water levels, skill levels and attitudes.
Mild and Scenic sections with beautiful views and vista's of high bluffs, cliffs and of hardwood forest and wildflowers describe the bulk of the river. Most are suitable for day trips or for camping trips of up to 4 days.
The river starts in the National Forest on the eastern slope of the Appalachian Mts and ends at U.S. Corps of Engineer's Anthony Shoals, a mile long class II rapid with many endangered species of flora and Fauna. These federally protected areas contains historic and prehistoric sites.
The State of Georgia has aquired the first tract of land as part of the Heritage Trail.
The Broad River Watershed Assoc. (BRWA.org) and other groups are working with the State to acquire and protect areas along the entire course of the Broad River and its major tributaries. A great historical link discribes the travels of William Bartram through the Southeast US and Georgia during the mid 1700s and describing the Broad River and the Altamaha River.
The Broad River is close to many other points of interest being only 100 miles East Northeast of Atlanta, 70 miles Southwest of Greenville, S.C., 100 miles Northwest of Augusta, Ga., and 120 Northeast of Macon, Ga. AND only 23 miles from the UGA campus in Athens, Georgia.
The Broad River Outpost rents and sells Mohawk Canoes, Perception and Dagger Kayaks Kayaks types include beginner kayaks (keowee), Sit-on-Tops, touring / sea kayaks and a variety of whitewater models.
Beginner instructional clinics are offered for canoe and kayak (whitewater). The one day intruction requires no previous experience. BRO recommends, for kayaker, having used a Keowee at least once on the THE BROAD to maximize instructional time.
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