Section 4 of the Chattooga River is an iconic section of whitewater best know for the five falls which drop 75 feet in a short distance. The rapids are generally Class IV in difficulty but the run is rated Class IV+ due to abundant potholes, undercuts, sieves, and other hazards.
This iconic river was designated as Wild and Scenic in 1974 for its outstanding ecology, geology, history, recreation, and scenery. It is probably best known as the setting for Deliverance (1972).
The Chattooga River forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina. Since the the rafting companies, kayak shop, and river access points are all on the South Caroline side, this is considered by most a South Carolina River.
Trip Highlights
Mile 0: Put in at Bull Sluice (IV) by hiking down a trail from the Highway 76 Bridge Access. You can launch above or below this iconic rapid.
Mile 0.4: Screaming Left Turn (III) has multiple lines including the toaster slot.
Mile 2.2: Woodall Shoals (III+) is a long rapid created by bedrock with a nasty hole that most people avoid. There is alternate river access by hiking a quarter mile from Woodall Shoals River Access.
Mile 2.6: 7 Foot Falls (IV) is a nearly 7 foot falls between tight walls. This rapid is generally scouted from the right.
Mile 3: Stekoa Creek Rapid is a long bedrock rapid with multiple routes.
Rafting Stekoa Creek Rapid at 0.7 Feet
Mile 3.5: Long Creek Falls makes a nice stop on the left.
Mile 3.6: Deliverance Rock (III) is a fun rapid that has a rock that may be recognized from the movie Deliverance.
Mile 3.9: Ravens Chute (III+) has a notable hole at some flows.
Mile 5: Camp Creek enters from the right and there is river access up a trail on the right as well. The Five Falls begins just downstream.
Mile 5.25: Entrance (IV) is the first and easiest of the "Five Falls."
Mile 5.3: Corkscrew (IV+) can be tricky and consequential since a swim could lead you into one of the sieves in Crack in the Rock.
Mile 5.35: Crack in the Rock (IV or Portage) is blocked by a huge boulder leaving a few narrow slots with sieves. This rapid is portaged by most people due to the danger.
Catching an Eddy on the Left to Portage Crack in the Rock
Mile 5.4: Jawbone (IV+) is a fun rapid with a few undercut rocks.
Mile 5.45: Sock em Dog (IV+) has a nice drop that varies in difficulty with water levels.
Mile 5.6: Shoulderbone (III+) is a fun rapid with a nice drop that begins at the end of a long pool.
Mile 5.9: Enjoy your paddle across Lake Tugaloo.
Mile 8.4: Take-out at Tugaloo Lake Boat Ramp
