The first three weekends in November mark classic boating in the southeast with releases on the Tallulah River. On Saturday 500 cfs is released and on Sunday 700 cfs. Boaters are allowed on the water once the level stabilizes, which is about 9:30 am; the water is turned off at 4 pm. All boaters must start down the stairs by 2:45 pm (first timers should try put on the river before 1.30pm) to beat the flow down to the lake. You will need to sign a waiver at the top of the stairs to be permitted to paddle the river. Please continue to park across the road from the put-in for a $5.00 fee per vehicle, and remember that you must go under the bridge to cross the road.

Here are a few things to remember on your trip to the Tallulah:

1. SHUTTLES & TAKE-OUT PARKING

The $5 Park Use Pass will be required for both the put-in and take-out parking areas and will only be available at the put-in so head there first and leave as many vehicles there as possible. Avoid overcrowding of the take-out parking lot and, for safety reasons, please make sure everyone is off the water and out of the take-out area by 5pm.

2. VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Tallulah releases are dependent on volunteers who help manage boater access. Those paddling the Tallulah can also help out as volunteers by taking the 8-12 shift and then go paddling in the afternoon. If you have any questions or would like to sign up as a volunteer for any of the releases please email Laura Dillon.

3. DON'T TRAMPLE THE TRILLIUM

Keep boats and bodies on the steps, bedrock, or water at all times, especially at the bottom of the stairs. When scouting rapids, please keep your impact on the riverbank to a minimum.

4. NO ALCOHOL IS ALLOWED

Remember that alcohol is prohibited on all Georgia State Park property.

5. PLEASE KEEP ALL DOGS ON LEASHES

All dogs must be kept on six-foot leashes. The owners of unattended dogs, dogs not on leashes, or of animals locked in cars that the park deems as hazardous will be ticketed.

AND FINALLY

Don't forget, there would be no releases in Tallulah Gorge if it were not for the hard work of the American Whitewater staff and volunteers. Please support American Whitewater through membership dues and a big thank you to all of our partners and volunteers; Georgia Power, DNR, GCA, AWC and TRR.

For more information, please check out AW’s Tallulah Gorge Project Page

Note: GA Power informed American Whitewater that they will be closing the gate to the take-out access area at 5:00PM and asked that all boaters be off the water and out of the parking area at that time. Please be sensible about vehicle speed on the narrow road to the take out.

UPDATE 10/11 - First-time paddlers and rafters will be asked to put-in no later than 1:00pm. Release coordinators have been experiencing first-time groups having issues getting to the take-out before 5:00pm. First time groups should leave sufficient time for scouting and be nearly off the water as the sweep crew makes their way downstream.