Georgia > West Central Region > Muscogee County > Columbus

Columbus Riverwalk is a 22 mile-long linear park along the east bank of the Chattahoochee River that provides a unique combination of urban and natural environments for casual strollers and hikers, joggers, bicyclists and fishermen. Links below take you to an interactive map and a virtual tour.

Beginning in 1987/88 as a response to federal mandated sewage and water upgrades, the Water Works of Columbus along with local government and civic leaders created a partnership that has resulted in one of the cities premier tourist attractions.

The award-winning engineering design was done by Jordan, Jones and Goulding, both an Atlanta and Columbus based environmental engineering consulting firm. This design template is still in use today as additional phases are brought in, and a changing usage base is cultivated. Original construction began in 1989 and Phase I had a grand opening on Columbus Day 1992 with a large kazoo parade behind Golden Park. This one-mile area spanned from the dam at The River Club to behind the Trade Center and featured restrooms, ADA accessibility, and easy access from downtown at Bay Avenue.

Phase II was a large project that took the length of the Riverwalk to 12 miles. It passed Golden Park, The Civic Center, Rotary Park and Rigdon Park, linking all of these together. Long term planning provided access to the Naval Museum, Leisure pools, and the Oxbow Environmental Learning Center with it’s varied attractions, including three canopy rope bridges. Phase III extended another three miles to the Infantry Center at Fort Benning and was awarded the best Military Installation in the world.

Phases IV and V included the northern section of the Riverwalk from TSYS campus to Bibb Mill, on to Lake Oliver. A 22-mile linear park provides an asphalt trail with restrooms and access for all persons from the sports minded hiker or cyclist to the perfect spot for fishing. Columbus State University and the River Center have added to the usage of the Riverwalk by providing a home to the CSU School of Music in the downtown area by utilizing the area as a downtown campus.

Links:

• Read more about Columbus Riverwalk including a tour map, access points, and a virtual tour.
• Find other Columbus, Georgia travel and recreation resources.

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Chatham County > Savannah

The Savannah - Ogeechee Barge Canal opened to transport in 1831 and became an important partner in the economy of south Georgia prior to the Civil War.

The Historic Savannah - Ogeechee Barge Canal is one of the prime relics in the history of southern canals. Beginning with the tidal lock at the Savannah River, the waterway continues through four lift locks as it traverses 16.5 miles, before reaching another tidal lock at the Ogeechee River. Along the way, the canal passed through Savannah’s 19th century industrial corridor, former rice fields, timber tracts, and a still lush tidal river swamp and adjacent sandhill environment that is the characteristic habitat for several unique species of flora and fauna.

What the Savannah - Ogeechee Barge Canal and Museum Offers

• A museum and nature center featuring information and exhibits on Canal history, archeology, birding, and local attractions.
• Over 2 miles of hiking trails from the SO Canal Museum and Nature Center to the Ogeechee River. Trails include historic canal towpath and locks, a river trail, Georgia wetland walks along boardwalks and Sandhill/Pine forest trails.
• Inclusion on the Coastal Birding Trail and birding opportunities.
• Hiking trail from Tom Triplett Park to the SO Canal near Lock 3.
• Guided tours and special events.
• Pavilion rental and picnic facilities.
• Volunteer opportunities.

The History 1825-1890s
The Savannah Ogeechee Canal was an important and profitable enterprise during the mid nineteenth century. Originally chartered in 1824, the 16.5 miles of canal was completed in December 1830. Numerous problems (such as decay of wooden locks and repeated erosion of embankments) plagued the canal during its early days of operation. The parent company declared bankruptcy in 1836. A new company was formed that widened and improved existing structures within the canal. From the 1840’s to the 1860’s, the canal generally prospered and became an important element in the south Georgia economy.

The canal opened to transport in 1831 and became an important partner in the economy of south Georgia. Its impact on the lumber trade was particularly important with one of the nation’s largest sawmills located along the canal’s basin. Cotton, rice, bricks, guano, naval stores, peaches, and other goods also traversed the canal. Later in the century, the canal suffered a gradual decline. Heavy June rains seriously damaged the canal embankments in 1876 coupled with a yellow fever epidemic, which fatally inflicted over 1,000 individuals. The canal had become more a public health nuisance than an economic asset. By the early 1890’s, the canal ceased to operate as a transportation corridor as the Central of Georgia Railway brought various wharves, warehouses, and canal frontage properties.

Today
Now a century after the canal ceased commercial operations, local citizens have started to restore and interpret the waterway and its natural environment. In cooperation with Chatham County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, the Savannah - Ogeechee Canal Society is working to turn the canal into a multipurpose linear park. Currently, most of the effort is expended at the Ogeechee River terminus where a small museum and nature center is open to visitors near Lock 5 with displays that emphasize both the canal’s history and the natural history of the local area. A half-mile walk along the Heel or Tow paths provides a delightful and attractive setting to enjoy this unique waterway.

Links:

• Read more about the Savannah - Ogeechee Barge Canal.

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Camden County > St. Marys

Julie and Tom Monahan are co-owners of Up the Creek Xpeditions.

Throughout the year, Up the Creek Expeditions and Outfitters offers a diverse selection of kayak nature tours and specialty trips to many of coastal Georgia and Florida’s most scenic waterways. Up the Creek Xpeditions has many day trips, overnight trips and instructional programs scheduled throughout the year. If your schedule doesn’t match theirs, they can make special arrangements for you or your group.

Up the Creek Xpeditions is always researching and exploring new places within the area. Come and explore your world in a fun and unique way!

Co-owner Tom Monahan is an accomplished business owner with 20 years experience in the banking and finance area. He is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has guided day and overnight trips for four years throughout the Southeast. In addition, Tom instructs kayaking classes.

Julie Monahan is the other co-owner of Up The Creek Xpeditions. She is an accomplished human resource professional with 20 years of diversified experience. In that career, she enjoyed developing and implementing corporate training programs. Julie is also a certified Zenger-Miller, Front Line Leadership instructor.

Up the Creek Xpeditions Services, Trips and Features include:

• Kayak trips
• Lessons
• Rentals
• Team Building
• Youth Camp
• Store

Links:

• Read more about Up the Creek Xpeditions.

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Bryan County > Ellabelle

The Ogeechee Outpost on the Ogeechee River offers a variety of outdoor experiences on this Georgia blackwater river.

Ogeechee Outpost is a family-owned canoe and kayak business offering affordable rentals on the Ogeechee River. We offer quality boats, vests and paddles for safe trips down the river.

Ogeechee Outpost Trips and Services

• Day Trips
• Overnight Trips
• ACA Canoeing Instruction

Day Trips from Ogeechee Outpost

• Canoe $25.00 - Kayak $25.00
• Short Trip 6.2 miles about 3 hours - canoe $35.00, kayak $30.00
• Long Trip 12.2 miles about 5 1/2 hours - canoe $40.00, kayak $35.00

Overnight Paddles

• Overnighter paddle to sandbar from Ogeechee Outpost and camp for $50.00 per canoe
• Overnighter from Short trip 6.2 miles $70.00

Wilderness Adventure Camping Expedition

• Paddle 6 miles to camp and another 6 miles the next day. $80.00 per canoe

Canoe and Stay

• Canoe and stay in the fully furnished Ogeechee River Cabin Fully Furnished - $85.00 per day.

Links:

• Read more about Ogeechee Outpost.
• Read more about the Ogeechee River.
• Read Suzanne Welander’s Ogeechee River paddling guide.
• Download a four-color poster of the Ogeechee River.
• See a photo essay of an Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper canoe trip on the Ogeechee, including an essay by OCR member Anna Thibeau about her first paddling experience.

 Georgia > Coastal Region > Chatham County > Savannah

Savannah Riverboats. The 600 passenger Savannah River Queen and the 600 passenger Georgia Queen are triple-decker, red, white and blue vessels that offer a variety of different tours all throughout the harbor.

Savannah is a river town, so what better way to get an overview of her harbor and port than to cruise with the River Street Riverboat Company! The 600 passenger Savannah River Queen and the 600 passenger Georgia Queen are triple-decker, red, white and blue vessels that offer a variety of different tours all throughout the harbor.

Stepping on a riverboat is like stepping back in time to an age where life moved more sedately and style and elegance were priorities. Take a break from the everyday and indulge yourself with a riverboat cruise. Both the 600 passenger Savannah River Queen and the 600 passenger Georgia Queen are climate-controlled, so you can step inside from those humid Savannah days to cool off or head out onto the open-air third deck for fantastic sightseeing along the river.

Discover the perfect cruise for your getaway as you choose from the popular narrated sightseeing cruise, dinner entertainment cruise, Saturday luncheon cruise, Sunday brunch cruise, Monday night gospel entertainment cruise, Thursday Murder-a-float cruise or our moonlight entertainment cruise.

Want to bring a group of 25 or more on board? We offer discounted rates for groups! Contact our group sales department for more details.

All of our boats operate under United States Coast Guard regulations and conform to rigid requirements for passenger safety.

Links:

• Read more about Savannah Riverboat Cruises.