Guides and Outfitters in Georgia: Broad River Outpost
The “Waterfall” is an avoidable 5-foot drop, which is a definite “cheap thrill.” The 6.5-mile section - “The Broad” contains seven shoals, each with individual ledges and shoals.
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 foot 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., 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 River to maximize instructional time.
Tagged with: Guides and Outfitters in Georgia
Photo Gallery
Scouting the South Fork of the Broad River
Expert Georgia canoeist (he has canoed the Broad River over 250 times) and University of Georgia professor Roger Thomas, and Broad River Outpost owner Michael Moody canoed the South Fork of the Broad River on August 19, 2009, to photograph and record GPS readings. Here is a selection of photographs taken during their trip beginning at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. The photos are arranged in down-river order. The photos are part of an interactive map accompanying Suzanne Welander's canoeing guide to the South Fork Broad River that includes this section of the river as well as a 5.3 mile section above it. All photos and photo descriptions are by Michael Moody.
Click any image to start slideshow
Related Video
Kayaking the Broad River
This video by AtlRacerBoyz shows a summer Saturday's adventure on the Broad River with Broad River Outpost. The producer's comments: "Some friends and I took a day trip down the Broad River east of Athens, GA. It's a fun little float that has some small but fun rapids and waterfalls."
Related Listings
Broad River Outpost
Danielsville, GA, Guides and OutfittersBroad River kayak and canoe rentals on exciting beginning whitewater or scenic slow water floats.
