Georgia > Northeast Region > White County> Helen

Oktoberfest! It’s the German word for fun! Well, that may not be the actual translation, but to the folks attending Helen’s Oktoberfest every year, it may as well be. Oktoberfest in Helen may have started out small in the 70’s, but over the years, and through word of mouth, it has grown into the biggest party in the Southeast. And this, is not one of those one-week festivals; this celebration lasts two months. The north Georgia mountains make a great vacation spot year-round because of the unparalleled beauty and mild weather; however, during Oktoberfest Mother Nature kicks it up a notch. Deep azure skies and color splashed mountains surround a picturesque “alpine” village, making the days as inviting as the nights. During the day, you may decide to browse the shops, relax in a biergarten, or simply enjoy Helen’s perfect weather and beautiful scenery. At night, however, all paths leads to Helen’s massive Festhalle. Located within walking distance of most hotels, the Festhalle is the spot for authentic German bands, food, beer and fun. You can either spend the evening dancing the Polka and Chicken dance, or you can relax in the adjacent beer garden and enjoy the crisp night air. Whichever section of the huge Festhalle you like best, be sure to sample the fresh cooked wurst and large variety of German beers. So, if you’ve never been to Helen, or just never been to an Oktoberfest, be sure to book your hotel room early and plan to be at Helen’s Oktoberfest. We’re sure you’ll want to come back year after year. Prosit!

This Year’s Oktoberest Band Schedule

• Sept 17-20 Pros’t Alex Meixner
• Sept 24-27 Dan Witucki Stan Mejac
• Oct 1-7 Stratton Mountain Boys Jim Horzen
• Oct 8-14 Sauerkrauts Roland Kurz
• Oct 15-18 Alpenmusikanten Roland Kurz
• Oct 19-24 Edi Und Freunde Roland Kurz
• Oct 25 TBA Roland Kurz
• Oct 26-Nov. 1 Europa Roland Kurz

Links:

• Read more about Helen and find contact information for the Helen Oktoberfest.

 Georgia >Northeast > Rabun County > Clayton

Your family will love exploring whitewater on the Chattooga’s Section III, surrounded by wilderness and removed from crowds. Made famous by the film “Deliverance,” Section IV is the classic Southeastern whitewater rafting run.

Since 1972, Nantahala Outdoor Center has shared the outdoors with millions of guests on white water river rafting trips, with all varieties of kayak and canoe instruction, on mountain bikes and around the world with our adventure travel trips.

Chattooga River whitewater rafting offers the mild and scenic Section III and the wild and scenic Section IV, two distinct and memorable river trips. The Chattooga River always delivers breathtaking scenery and treasured whitewater in an unmatched wilderness setting. NOC has been leading trips on this federally-designated Wild and Scenic River since the company’s beginning in 1972.

NOC guides are the most experienced on this river, some with as many as 30 years experience. Our guides receive the most extensive training of any outfitter on this river, and we’re the only company on the Chattooga with an entire fleet of self-bailing rafts. This means we can optimize each raft trip for maximum enjoyment, no matter the water level.

Rafting Section III
Your family will love exploring whitewater on the Chattooga’s Section III, surrounded by wilderness and removed from crowds. This section offers Class II-III rapids, with a big finale at Bull Sluice Rapid. Great for families with older children and for youth groups, the Chattooga is a river that begs to be explored.

Rafting Section IV
Made famous by the film “Deliverance,” Section IV is the classic Southeastern whitewater rafting run. Float past awe-inspiring scenery, take the time to explore river features, and paddle through some of the most heart-pounding drop-pool rapids to be found anywhere. The trip’s highlight is arguably the run through the famous Five Falls, where five tumultuous Class IV+ rapids unfold in quick succession.

Links:

• Read more about Nantahala Outdoor Center’s Chattooga river trips.

Rafting the Chattahoochee is the specialty of Wildwood Outfitters located in Cleveland, 13 miles south of Helen. Four different trips are available.

We have offered fun family outings on the Chattahoochee River since 1972. Our knowledgeable staff can help you select a trip that is right for you. Whether you require a leisure float down the river in a raft while you get some sun, or a workout running the rapids. We can make your stay in the North Georgia Mountains a trip to remember.

Trips Available
CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION I  (Hwy 17 to Hwy 255 Bridge)
Enjoy a trip through shallow water and mountain laurel at upper portion of the Chattahoochee River. This trip runs only in the early morning.

CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION II (Hwy 255 Bridge to Hwy 115 Bridge)
Enjoy mostly shoals and Smith Island Rapid. This trip is great for all ages and offers a little class II whitewater. Trips run morning and afternoon.

CHATTAHOOCHEE SECTION III (Hwy 115 Bridge to Hwy 384 Takeout)
Lots of shoals and three Class II rapids. This section is a workout but lots of fun. See wildlife and beautiful scenery. Trips run morning and afternoon.

SOQUE RIVER TO TAKE-OUT (Hwy 105 Bridge to Hwy 384 Takeout)
The perfect leisure trip. Float along the Soque River and fish or just catch some rays. Our shortest and most relaxing trip. Trips run morning and afternoon.

We also offer group rates and multi-day trips, perfect for

• Church Youth Groups
• Family Reunions
• Birthdays

We are located on Hwy 384 thirteen miles south of beautiful Alpine Helen.

Links:

• Read more about Wildwood Outfitters.

Wildwater Limited offers a variety of raft tours of the Chattooga River that will appeal to a beginning or experienced rafters.

The Chattooga Wild & Scenic River begins at the base of Whitesides Mountain in North Carolina and flows in a southwesterly direction to form the border between South Carolina and Georgia. One of the wildest and most beautiful whitewater rivers in the country, the Chattooga was the first river in the Southeast to be designated “Wild & Scenic” by Congress and was used as a location for the movie Deliverance. The Sumter and Chattahoochee National Forests will surround you while on this wilderness adventure river.

As a free flowing river, water levels on the Chattooga vary with the amount of rainfall each season.  The highest water levels and most exciting trips are usually in the Spring and early Summer.  By late Summer and Fall, the water level is usually lower and trips are more relaxed and slower paced.

• Chattooga Mini Enjoy a 4-5 hour sample of the Chattooga. Ideal family vacation, first-time rafters, kids and seniors. Fully Guided. Minimum age 8 years.
• Chatooga Section II Section II of the Chattooga River offers 7 miles of scenic wilderness with several fun Class I and II rapids. This section serves as a great introduction to the Chattooga River and canoeing. Fully Guided. Minimum age 10 years if paddling, 6 years if riding with an adult.
• Chattooga Section III Used as the location for the film Deliverance, the Chattooga’s spectacular scenery and exciting whitewater make this Wildwater’s most popular trip. Section III is ideally suited for beginner to intermediate rafters. Fully Guided. Minimum age 10 years.
• Chattooga Section IV Sheer cliffs rise and waterfalls drop to the river’s edge as you weave your way through house-sized boulders and challenging whitewater. Section IV is suggested for those with previous whitewater experience and who are in good physical condition. Fully Guided. Minimum age 13.
• Chattooga Overnighter This is a trip not to be forgotten. For two full days and one extraordinary evening, you can enjoy wilderness rafting on Section III and Section IV, two lunches, breakfast, a grilled steak dinner, and an overnight campout. Fully Guided. Minimum age 13.

Other trips and services, including a multi-day adventure, canoe and kayak clinics, rope challenge and shuttle service are available.

Links

• Read more about Wildwater Ltd.