Kayaking Destinations near Johns Creek, GA
Only 25 miles northeast of the bustling Atlanta metro, Johns Creek offers a gorgeous escape from the city with protected outdoor recreational areas and 13 miles of the Chattahoochee River. The city is home to 82,000 residents and offers a sparse suburban feel with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Its stunning riverbanks and wooded area make it a popular destination for fishing, picnicking, hiking, kayaking, rafting and lovers of the outdoors.
Where to Kayak near Johns Creek, GA
Here are five kayaking destinations near Johns Creek, GA that make it a hot spot for watersports.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Sandy Springs , GA
13 miles of the Chattahoochee River meander through the city of Johns Creek, but all 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area can be rafted, canoed or kayaked year-round. The river offers excellent opportunities for a leisurely paddle, trout fishing and wildlife spotting. The river is calm and flat with the occasional class I/II rapids.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Lithia Springs, GA
South of Johns Creek and minutes from downtown Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park provides a serene wilderness. Here you’ll find wildlife, rugged terrain, secluded lakes, rapids and a 215 acre reservoir. Kayaking Sweetwater Creek State Park allows you to access interesting, often overlooked areas, providing a truly breathtaking way to experience the park’s unique views and beauty.
Fort Yargo State Park
Winder, GA
Located east of Johns Creek between Atlanta and Athens, Fort Yargo State Park is another popular kayaking destination in Georgia. It is a natural refuge with some of the most gorgeous views in the Eastern United States. The park surrounds Marbury Creek Reservoir, a 260-acre lake with a swimming beach, with fishing areas and two conveniently placed boat ramps. A unique feature of this park is its lakeside yurts, offering a glamping experience with furniture, electricity, and a fire ring, picnic table and grill outside.
Cartecay River
Ellijay, GA
The Cartecay River runs through the Blackberry Mountains in and around the city of Ellijay, before merging with the Ellijay River to form Coosawattee. The river offers an intermediate paddle with scenic mountain views. It starts calm but has multiple unique river features including fast moving currents and white-water rapids. Prior kayaking experience is a must.
Lake Lanier
Gainesville, GA
Lake Lanier is nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching for 76 acres with more than 690 miles of shoreline. The lake is known for its aqua-blue waters, spectacular scenery and excellent kayaking. Kayakers can enjoy a nice leisurely paddle around the lake or opt for a more challenging section of the Chattahoochee or its tributaries with plenty of coves and islands to explore.
Kayak Storage
Johns Creek, Georgia is a beautiful city with many nature-filled kayaking locations nearby. Make sure you’re properly storing your kayak so it’s ready for your next kayaking adventure. Proper storage is key to keeping your kayaking in good shape so you can enjoy it for years to come. A hand-crafted log kayak rack from Log Kayak Rack will beautifully store and display your kayak keeping it safe when not in use and your shoreline or property clutter free. The durable frames are naturally weather-resistant and can store up to eight kayaks. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your Johns Creek, Georgia kayak storage needs.