Georgia whitewater, Etowah River Lumpkin county, Hightower Road to US 19 section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II(III)     10.5 miles   The starting point is not too far from Gainesville, as you can see on the road map further down. This section of Etowah River is 10.5 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class II(III) section of whitewater. Great exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors will make you glad you came. The natural beauty of Lumpkin County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream make the trip here worthwhile. The     Hightower Road to US 19 section is one of many paddling sections in this river system. If you hurry you can run this stretch in a day but why not make it an overnighter, so why not pack your sleeping bag too. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, there are lots of good rivers for that around here. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in Georgia are harder than the national norm, so don't forget that quite a few of the sections here are not easy. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. There's camping available near   Etowah River. Whitewater paddling here in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a great experience. Briefly about the general area: Have a splendid hiking adventure along the Black Mountain Trail, and at Etowah River you always meet someone from Dahlonega. Life's too short to enjoy all the amusing stuff in the Blue Ridge Mountains. While you're here at Etowah River you can take a hike along the Benton Mackaye Trail. Everybody loves Amicalola Falls and Lodge State Park. Throughout the warm months here at Etowah River, high temperatures regularly get into the 80's, and all through summer nights temperatures are in the 60's. Etowah River, Hightower Road to US 19 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, 2 miles away       Class II(III) - 10.5 miles long (Hightower Road to US 19) Etowah River, Lumpkin/ Dawson County, 2 miles away       Class II(IV) - 13.3 miles long (US 19 to Highway 136) Etowah River, Lumpkin County, 4 miles away       Class III-IV+ - 2 miles long (Above Hightower Road) Yahoola Creek, Lumpkin County, 5 miles away       Class I-IV - 6 miles long (US 19 North of Dahlonega to US 19) Yahoola Creek, Lumpkin County, 5 miles away       Class I-II(III) - 6 miles long (US 19 to Chestatee River) Dicks Creek, Lumpkin County, 12 miles away       Class IV - 2 miles long (Waters Creek Campground to Turners Corner) Dicks Creek, Lumpkin County, 12 miles away       Class V - 0.75 miles long (WMA Gate to Waters Creek Campground) Toccoa River, Fannin County, 12 miles away       Class I-II(III) - 13.5 miles long (Deep Hole Recreation Area to Sandy Bottoms) Cooper Creek, Fannin County, 12 miles away       Class II-III - 5.2 miles long (USFS Route 33 to Mulky Creek Camp) Blood Mountain Creek, Lumpkin County, 12 miles away       Class III-V - 1 miles long (to Dicks Creek)   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 , 74 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 8 runs Cataloochee, North Carolina , 89 miles away, 740 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs   Marinas Near Etowah River: Gainesville Marina, Gainesville , 16 miles away Bald Ridge Marina, Cumming , 20 miles away Blairsville Docks Unlimited, Blairsville , 20 miles away   Hotels Near Etowah River: Quality Inn Dahlonega, Dahlonega , 6 miles away The Smith House Historic Hotels Of America, Dahlonega , 6 miles away Park Place Hotel, Dahlonega , 6 miles away Days Inn Dahlonega, Dahlonega , 7 miles away Holiday Inn Express DAHLONEGA, Dahlonega , 7 miles away   Campgrounds Near Etowah River: Etowah River Campground, Dahlonega, 1 miles away FSR-80, Suches, 4 miles away Blackburn Park and Campground, Dahlonega, 4 miles away   Trails Near Etowah River: Black Mountain Trail, Union , 8 miles away Benton Mackaye Trail, Fannin , 13 miles away Duncan Ridge Trail, Union , 14 miles away DeSoto Falls Trail, Lumpkin , 14 miles away Coosa Backcountry Trail, Union , 17 miles away   Public Lands Near Etowah River: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Atlanta - GA , 37 miles away Amicalola Falls and Lodge State Park, Georgia , 12 miles away Vogel State Park, Georgia , 16 miles away Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia , 18 miles away   Golf Courses Near Etowah River: Gold Creek Golf Course, Dawsonville , 6 miles away Nicklaus Golf Club at Birch River, Dahlonega , 8 miles away Trader Golf Of North Georgia, Dawsonville , 9 miles away   Lakes Near Etowah River Lake Petit, Pickens , 16 miles away Lake Qualatchee, White , 19 miles away