wildwood outfitters

If you are new to the area and want to get a taste - use these guys. They are knowledgeable and very helpful. They won't tell you forest service road 17 goes all the way to SC, via toccoa and a ton of other attractions, or that it crosses the Appalachian trail several times. They will get you properly set up to go fishing and know when the rivers are stocked (you'd be a fool to think those are wild trout). If you want a real adventure, find the pond on horse range mountains and fish in it! (iron makes compass and gps unreliable there - bring SKILL)

I recommended kayaking to my wife and a family friend (All of us are 69 years old) and from the website thought we could take a tranquil trip down the Chattahoochee River but when we arrived we were told that the site near Helen, GA, had been closed and there were only rapid trips now available. After much discussion and contemplation, especially from the women who had limited kayaking experience, we decided to try the Class 1 rapids, a 5 mile trip taking approximately three hours with three single kayaks. We were briefly shown the map and given the necessary instructions and recommendations from Carl. I asked again about the end point and he indicated it would be a beach approximately 50 feet long near a stream. The kayaking was exhilarating and, for first time white water kayakers, challenging. The first few rapids were "scary" but after a few rapids we were able to get a better handle on how to manage the kayaks. I must admit that every time we approached a rapid there was always the concern of tipping over but that in my mind added to the excitement. After one of the rapids my wife's kayak headed straight to the shoreline where her kayak hit a bunch of branches and she fell out. It was difficult for me to assist her in getting back on the kayak due to the heavy current and the depth of the water but after ten minutes we managed to do this and continued on our way. After hitting several of the landmarks Carl had pointed out, we were looking out for the end point as it seemed we had been kayaking for over three hours. When we came to the point where we should have stopped, it did not look like what we anticipated and we asked several people on the shore if this was the take out point, but they did not know. So we continued on and after one or two more rapids there really wasn't any way to turn back; there were no signs of life or houses on the shore. With a fair amount of panic starting to creep in we continued to paddle and paddle and paddle and certainly at that point realized we had gone too far. Finally after 10 miles and approximately 4-5 hours (we didn't take any cameras, watches, or cell phones because we knew these would get wet), we saw Carl on the shoreline. He was the MOST gracious host helping us out, keeping us relaxed, and showing his concern for our safety. Back at the office he offered us free cold sodas and refused to add on any additional charges or take a gratuity. It was a very memorable experience, both the activity and the hospitality, and I really do recommend this trip. Although the women are not looking forward to any more kayaking, they also in hindsight enjoyed the adventure. As for me I am looking forward to taking on Class 2 rapids!

While visiting Helen, GA my hubby and I were looking for something to do that wasn't too touristy and off the beaten path. We came upon Wildwood Outfitters and decided to kayak versus zip lining or renting mountain bikes. On their website they have four river runs you can choose from along the Chattahoochee river. We chose the 3rd section, which is the most adventurous our of all the runs. It has class 2 rapids, which as the staff put it, "is perfect for cutting your teeth." We rented sit on top kayaks with backpack looking knee straps and they suited us up with pfd's and helmets. I have not laughed that hard in a LONG time as I did while we were scooting down the rapids. It was truly an experience of a lifetime and the scenery is breathtaking! Make sure you take their advice and go down the rapids head first. We had a few close calls where we definitely went down sideways and almost flipped! The 3rd run is 5 miles long and took us approximately 2.3-3 hrs. The water is crystal clear and the wildlife is abundant! There are also rope swings all along the river with banks where you can beach your kayak and go for a swim. Follow the staff's directions when they give you advice on the more fun run to take...stay to the left of the islands, much more challenging experience! I would HIGHLY recommend this experience to anyone who loves the outdoors, it is a great workout and a lot of fun!