North Carolina whitewater - Cullasaja River, Blue Ridge Mountains, Macon County

Macon county, Ravenel Lake to Mirror Lake section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS I-III+(V+)     5 miles
  If you're coming from Seneca it's not a long drive at all to the put-in location, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. The average North Carolina whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be a bit easier to master than those in other states, so don't forget that lots of rivers here are good for beginners. The natural beauty of North Carolina and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water will make you feel great. On this section you do get some distance, it's perfect for a one day trip. And of course, there are campgrounds
    nearby. Getting a good workout and a chance to spend some time outdoors are sure to keep you coming back for more. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your
car. The Ravenel Lake to Mirror Lake stretch of Cullasaja River in North Carolina is 5 miles long and is a class I-III+(V+) section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains scenery is an added bonus. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking in this general area you'll find lots of paddling spots. There are so many stretches to paddle in this river system, the Ravenel Lake to Mirror Lake stretch is just one of many.

Briefly about the general area:
Yeah, come up here to the Blue Ridge Mountains
 
for a perfect time. Why not take a refreshing hike along the Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail, and some exciting geology is available here, Wildcat Cliffs is right here. The surroundings of this river have so much to offer. Nearby Wildcat Gap is a fine place to go if you're at Cullasaja River, and the beauty of mother nature reveals herself at Highlands Falls.
Cullasaja River ordinarily gets lots of precipitation; March is the wettest month with most rain, and October is the month with the least moisture. High temperatures at Cullasaja River during the summer months are in the 80's, and through the night it cools down to the 60's. For the period of the wintertime highs are commonly in the 40's, and night lows through the wintertime for Cullasaja River tend to be in the 20's.
The Shortoff Mountain Trail offers hiking at its best; while you're here at Cullasaja River, checking out Sunset Rock is a must.

Cullasaja River, Ravenel Lake to Mirror Lake road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: I-III+(V+)
Length: 5 miles
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 35.0815
Longitude: -83.1654

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 35.06819
Longitude: -83.20231

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Current weather conditions at Cullasaja River, Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
WXPort

Local climate location: FRANKLIN 3 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Sapphire Valley Resort, Sapphire
9 miles away
Scenic mountain views provide the perfect backdrop for this four-season resort. Hotel rooms, condominiums, and houses are nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains but are surrounded by activities for the e...

Comfort Inn Franklin, Franklin
14 miles away
We are situated atop a mountain and offer a panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains from many of our rooms. We are one mile from downtown Franklin. We are located near Western Carolina University, South...

Franklin-Days Inn, Franklin
14 miles away
Nestled in the foothills of the Smokies, Days Inn Franklin offers the relaxation and the beauty of mountains, while being centrally located to local attractions. Franklin is known as the Gem...



OTHER_INFO
  Blue Ridge Mountains Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Blue Ridge Mountains Outdoors Info
Complete outdoors info for the Blue Ridge Mountains.

All North Carolina Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in North Carolina.
Books about whitewater paddling on Cullasaja River, North Carolina
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Cullasaja River, North Carolina.
Find a whitewater outfitter in North Carolina

Whitewater Basics
If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info.
Outdoors Recreation Near Seneca, South Carolina
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Seneca, South Carolina, the metro area neareast to Cullasaja River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Cullasaja River.
 Whitewater Near Cullasaja River:
Cullasaja River, Macon County , 4 miles away, Class IV-V+ - 4.75 miles long (Lake Sequoyah to below Cosmic Crunch)
Norton Creek, Jackson County , 4 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 2.5 miles long (Above Thorpe Lake)
Chattooga River, Jackson County , 5 miles away, Class V - 6 miles long (North Carolina 1107 to Bull Pen Bridge)
Clear Creek, Macon/Rabun County , 5 miles away, Class III+(V+) - 2 miles long (Off Highway 28 Into Overflow Creek)
Cullasaja River, Macon County , 5 miles away, Class IV(V+) - 2.5 miles long (Below Cosmic Crunch to Above Cullasaja Falls)
Big Creek, Rabun County , 6 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 2 miles long (Highway 28 to Overflow Creek)
Chattooga River, Rabun/Oconee County , 6 miles away, Class III-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Bull Pen Bridge to Burrells Ford Bridge)
Chattooga River, Jackson/Macon County , 6 miles away, Class III-IV - 5 miles long (Bullpen Bridge to Burrell's Ford)
Overflow Creek, Rabun County , 6 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 5 miles long (USFS Road 86B to Overflow Creek Road Bridge)
Cullasaja River, Macon County , 6 miles away, Class IV-V(V+) - 2 miles long (Base of Cullasaja Falls to Peeks Creek Bridge)
 Ski Areas Near Cullasaja River:
Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 10 miles away, 225 vertical feet
Sky Valley, Georgia , 13 miles away, 210 vertical feet
Cataloochee, North Carolina , 28 miles away, 740 vertical feet
Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 44 miles away, 600 vertical feet
Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 68 miles away, 700 vertical feet
Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 109 miles away, 1200 vertical feet
Ski Beech, North Carolina , 110 miles away, 830 vertical feet
Hawksnest, North Carolina , 111 miles away, 619 vertical feet
Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 122 miles away, 365 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Cullasaja River:
Sapphire Valley Resort, Sapphire , 9 miles away
Comfort Inn Franklin, Franklin , 14 miles away
Franklin-Days Inn, Franklin , 14 miles away
Holiday Inn Express Dillard, Ga, Dillard , 15 miles away
Knights Inn Dillard, Dillard , 15 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Cullasaja River:
Van Hook Glade Campground, Highlands, 2 miles away
Ammons Branch Campground, Macon County, 4 miles away
Vanhook Glade Campground, Macon County, 4 miles away
 Trails Near Cullasaja River:
Shortoff Mountain Trail, Macon County , 3 miles away
Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail, Jackson County , 4 miles away
Ellicott Rock Trail, Macon County , 5 miles away
Three Forks Trail, Rabun County , 5 miles away
Burrells Ford Trail, Rabun County , 8 miles away
 National Parks Near Cullasaja River:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg - TN , 42 miles away
Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 52 miles away
 Golf Courses Near Cullasaja River:
Highlands Falls Country Club Pool & Tennis, Highlands , 2 miles away
High Hampton Inn & Country Club, Cashiers , 6 miles away
 Lakes Near Cullasaja River

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater