The Chestatee River offers 32 miles of activities from Neel Gap down to Lake Lanier. Whether you are floating on a tube, paddling a kayak, panning for gold, or simply wading the shallows, the Chestatee is North Georgia’s most accessible wilderness river.

## Tubing the Chestatee

Summer tubing is the signature warm-weather activity. The most popular float runs from below Dahlonega toward the US-19 takeout — a 2-3 hour float at average summer flows (300-600 cfs). Check USGS gauge 02332000 before you go.

## Kayaking and Canoeing

Paddlers find Class I-II whitewater on the main stem below Dahlonega. The river widens in the lower sections, suitable for recreational kayaks and canoes. Spring runoff bumps difficulty to Class II-III on some upper sections.

## Gold Panning

The Chestatee watershed was the epicenter of America’s first gold rush in 1828. Gold is still present in the river sediment. Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega offers guided gold panning, and public gold panning is permitted in designated Chattahoochee National Forest sections with a valid permit.

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