Georgia whitewater, Etowah River Lumpkin county, Above Hightower Road section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV+     2 miles   The wonderful Lumpkin County scenery and the sparkling of the sunlight on the water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. This section of Etowah River in Lumpkin County is 2 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class III-IV+ section. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. There aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but     you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. There are so many stretches to paddle in this river system, the Above Hightower Road stretch is just one of many. The Blue Ridge Mountains scenery is wonderful. If you've been whitewater rafting and kayaking outside this state you might find the rivers here a bit more challenging, so keep in mind that many runs in this state are not easy. This is a pretty short section so you'd better be prepared to walk your kayak back to put-in a few times. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you'll find a large number of good rivers. Getting some good exercise and just hanging out   with mother nature are great reasons to come. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Gainesville, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. Briefly about the general area: Lots of people from Suches come to Etowah River, and the beauty of mother nature reveals herself at Black Falls. All year is a delightful time in the Blue Ridge Mountains if you go for the outdoors. Places like Amicalola Falls and Lodge State Park are great to pop by, and hiking along the Benton Mackaye Trail is good fun. This is such a wonderful river. Etowah River, Above Hightower Road road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Etowah River.   Whitewater Near Etowah River: Etowah River, Lumpkin County, 1 miles away       Class III-IV+ - 2 miles long (Above Hightower Road) Etowah River, Lumpkin County, 1 miles away       Class II(III) - 10.5 miles long (Hightower Road to US 19) Etowah River, Lumpkin/ Dawson County, 5 miles away       Class II(IV) - 13.3 miles long (US 19 to Highway 136) Yahoola Creek, Lumpkin County, 7 miles away       Class I-IV - 6 miles long (US 19 North of Dahlonega to US 19) Yahoola Creek, Lumpkin County, 7 miles away       Class I-II(III) - 6 miles long (US 19 to Chestatee River) Toccoa River, Fannin County, 9 miles away       Class I-II(III) - 13.5 miles long (Deep Hole Recreation Area to Sandy Bottoms) Cooper Creek, Fannin County, 10 miles away       Class II-III - 5.2 miles long (USFS Route 33 to Mulky Creek Camp) Blood Mountain Creek, Lumpkin County, 11 miles away       Class III-V - 1 miles long (to Dicks Creek) Dicks Creek, Lumpkin County, 11 miles away       Class IV - 2 miles long (Waters Creek Campground to Turners Corner) Dicks Creek, Lumpkin County, 11 miles away       Class V - 0.75 miles long (WMA Gate to Waters Creek Campground)   Ski Areas Near Etowah River: Sky Valley, Georgia , 55 miles away, 210 foot drop, 2 lifts, 5 runs Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 58 miles away, 225 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 73 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 8 runs Cataloochee, North Carolina , 88 miles away, 740 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs   Marinas Near Etowah River: Nottely Marina, Blairsville , 18 miles away Blairsville Docks Unlimited, Blairsville , 18 miles away Gainesville Marina, Gainesville , 19 miles away   Hotels Near Etowah River: Quality Inn Dahlonega, Dahlonega , 8 miles away The Smith House Historic Hotels Of America, Dahlonega , 8 miles away Park Place Hotel, Dahlonega , 8 miles away Days Inn Dahlonega, Dahlonega , 9 miles away Holiday Inn Express DAHLONEGA, Dahlonega , 9 miles away   Campgrounds Near Etowah River: FSR-80, Suches, 1 miles away Hightower, Suches, 3 miles away Etowah River Campground, Dahlonega, 3 miles away   Trails Near Etowah River: Black Mountain Trail, Union , 7 miles away Benton Mackaye Trail, Fannin , 10 miles away Duncan Ridge Trail, Union , 12 miles away DeSoto Falls Trail, Lumpkin , 14 miles away Coosa Backcountry Trail, Union , 16 miles away   Public Lands Near Etowah River: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Atlanta - GA , 39 miles away Amicalola Falls and Lodge State Park, Georgia , 11 miles away Vogel State Park, Georgia , 15 miles away Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia , 17 miles away   Golf Courses Near Etowah River: Gold Creek Golf Course, Dawsonville , 9 miles away Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River, Dahlonega , 10 miles away Trader Golf Of North Georgia, Dawsonville , 11 miles away   Lakes Near Etowah River Lake Petit, Pickens , 16 miles away Lake Qualatchee, White , 20 miles away