Spring whitewater release at Tallulah Gorge

TALLULAH FALLS — A memorable and anticipated occasion for avid whitewater paddlers in the area is the spring release of Tallulah Gorge’s whitewater which is set to occur this weekend.

Tallulah Gorge was dammed in 1913, but it wasn’t until May of 1993 that the first kayakers tested its waters. Now, skilled paddlers from all over the country come to Tallulah during the first three weeks of April to test their boating mettle on this 2-mile whitewater trip.

Georgia Power’s whitewater release into Tallulah Gorge will be held the first three weekends in April. The event allows paddlers access to the river for the ultimate recreation experience. An average of 500 cubic feet per second (fps) cascade through the gorge, creating Class IV and V rapids that are perfect for advanced paddlers.

Dates of the event are April 7 & 8, April 14 & 15 and April 21 & 22.  Georgia Power has added the third-weekend release to compensate for an earlier release that was canceled in 2017.  

If paddling isn’t your thing, but you’d like to witness this spectacular event, the hiking trails around Tallulah Gorge State Park will be open, as will the steps off the North Rim Trail leading to the suspension bridge above Hurricane Falls. No gorge permits are issued during whitewater release.

The address for Tallulah Gorge State Park is 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA, 30573.