Hudson River Canoeing Guide
By SUZANNE WELANDER
Calm waters of Section II. Most of the Class I and II rapids are located downstream of GA 106; then the waters calm until reaching the last shoal right before the river’s junction with the Middle Fork Broad.
The Hudson River, the prettiest of the Broad River tributaries, is born in western Banks County, north of Athens. In contrast with the Broad River, its course is narrow and 
intimate. The scenery remains pleasing despite the growth of houses near the stream. In the upper section, passage can be difficult due to the river’s small channel and numerous deadfalls. As the Hudson nears the confluence with the Middle Fork Broad River (forming the Broad River), rapids increase, making for a pretty and enjoyable paddling experience.
TRIP SUMMARY: The Hudson is a tributary of the Broad River, which is a part of the Savannah River watershed. This is a canoe trip on the Hudson in two sections that can both be divided to shorter paddles. SECTION I: GA 59 to GA 106. Class, I; Length, 13.1 miles; Time, 8 hours; Level, unknown; Gradient, 3 feet per mile; Scenery, B-. SECTION II: GA 106 to the Broad River. Class, I-II; Length, 13.1 miles; Time, 7 hours; Gauge, none; Level, unknown; Gradient, 8 feet per mile; Scenery, A-. VIEW MAP.
SECTION I
DESCRIPTION: Cruising does not become sensible until the Hudson crosses GA 106 (E), but for those paddlers who desire an athletic experience portaging over, under and around many deadfalls, it is possible to put in at GA 59. Below this point the Hudson is quite narrow and shallow, and deadfalls blocking the stream are frequent. If rainfall has been adequate for paddling, this section can provide a scenic tour for the adventurous, who exercise the caution required to avoid deadfalls in the stream. When scouting the river level, be aware that the black-sand riverbed will create the illusion of a deeper channel. At low water levels, polling, prodding, and pulling may be required to move the boat downstream.
SHUTTLE: From Commerce, take GA 98 east to Ila. Turn left onto GA 174, then left onto GA 106. The take-out is on GA 106 north of Fort Lamar. To reach the put-in, continue north on GA 106 and turn left onto Bold Springs Road. Bold Springs will merge with GA 326; continue west onto CR 418 as GA 326 turns to the south. At GA 59, turn left and proceed to the put-in at the bridge. Intermediate bridges are accessible from Bold Springs Road at GA 326, Hebron Road, and Wrights Mill Road.
GAUGE: There is no gauge, but the local outfitter can relay information on the river levels in the area.
SECTION II
DESCRIPTION: Still beautiful and intimate below GA 106(E), the Hudson changes its character and becomes more lively. Many rippling shoals keep the boater entertained, but none of the shoals is a problem to navigate. Most of the Class I-II rapids are located downstream of GA 106; then the waters calm until reaching the last shoal right before the river’s junction with the Middle Fork Broad. Though some cartographers disagree, the locals consider this point to be the beginning of the Broad River, and they apparently control the signage in the area.
A pleasant 13.1-mile trip can be had by putting in at GA 106, paddling to the confluence, and taking out 5.7 miles farther downstream on river right, immediately below the GA 281 bridge. This take-out is owned by the local outfitter; make appropriate arrangements to use it. The mid-run take-out at US 29 involves a steep scramble up to the road via steps cut into the dirt, and is consequently easier to use as a starting point for a trip.
SHUTTLE: The take-out is at the Broad River’s intersection with GA 281, northeast of Danielsville. To reach the put-in from the take-out, take GA 281 south toward Danielsville. Turn right onto Old Wildcat Bridge Road, then left onto US 29. (A right turn on US 29 will lead to the mid-run access point). Turn right onto Jones Chapel – Shiloh Road, which turns into Lamar Road after passing through Shiloh. Turn left onto Shiloh-Fort Lamar Road, then take a right onto GA 106. The bridge is ahead.
GAUGE: There is no gauge. The local outfitter can provide an opinion on current levels over the phone. Alternatively, visually scout access points if there’s been adequate rainfall.
MAPS: USGS maps: Homer, Ashland, Ila, Danielsville North. County maps: Banks, Franklin, Madison.
Links:
- The Hudson is part of the Savannah River watershed. Read more about the Savannah River watershed.
- Download a poster of the Savannah River showing historical and environmental information about the watershed, including all of its tributaries.
- Environmental organizations protecting the Savannah watershed
- Georgia’s 14 major watersheds.
- How Rivers Work.
- How river rapids are rated in classes I-VI.
- Who Owns Georgia’s rivers?
A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia is a compilation of paddling guides 
to over 80 Georgia streams and rivers, plus the Okefenokee Swamp and Georgia Coast, published by Menasha Ridge Press since 1982. Originally written by Bob Sehlinger and Don Otey, it has been extensively revised and updated by Suzanne Welander. Organized efficiently by watersheds, the book contains a wealth of interesting and useful information about Georgia physiography and paddling, in general, as well as the authoritative paddling guides. To purchase a copy of A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to Georgia, a book every paddler of Georgia streams should have in their library (and boat), and to see over 75 other outdoor guides published by Menasha, visit the Menasha Ridge Press website.
June 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Before I add my two cents worth about the Hudson and Broad Rivers, thanks so much to Suzanne Welander for updating and adding to Bob Sehlinger’s and Don Otey’s classic Georgia paddling guides to produce THE DEFINITIVE _Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to Georgia_ (2003, Menasha Ridge Press). I keep a copy in our home in Athens and one in our cabin in Rabun County, both to plan trips and to dream about trips!
Twenty-some years ago three friends and I paddled the Hudson River between GA 326 and GA 106. I don’t remember any deadfalls, but such memories may have faded. I have also paddled between 106 and GA 281 twice, but, again, memories are vague. I hope to paddle it again soon. Last summer, when the river was about at its lowest, I put in on the Hudson at US 29 just above its confluence with the Middle Fork of the Broad River and took out at the Broad River Outpost just below the GA 281 bridge; I used the BRO’s shuttle and put in. A photo-documented account of that low water paddle may be seen on my personal website (http://webpages.charter.net/rogthomas/Charter/ ;see August 4, 2008. A few days earlier I had done same on the Broad River section between GA 281 and GA 172 (see July 30, 2008). I think Georgia river lovers may see some photographs of interest in these reports. I have other trip reports to add, as I was writing many of them before the web was commonplace just to share with friends and read in my old age. Soon, I will add a pdf of a trip in the early 1990s on the flooding Broad River between GA 281 and 172 that was printed in The Eddy Line. I have paddled that section three times when it was flooding, and Suzanne Welander’s advice about paddling that section in flood should be well heeded; see p. 75 in book reference above.
June 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am
We paddled section II of the Hudson a few years ago when a prevailing — and strong — westerly winds made it the most logical choice. The water was high, rapid lines very clear, and the banks pleasantly wooded and only occasionally interrupted by a riverside house. Nice day, though the carry up to the road at the US29 takeout is steep!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
A year or so ago, the Broad River Outpost constructed a put-in, down-river-left on the Hudson River immediately before the US 29 bridge that makes access and egress much easier. My guess is that you might be able to arrange to take out there, but parking may be another matter. They don\’t have parking spaces per se, but there should be room for a vehicle or two that did not block the loop road. The BRO uses the site as a put-in for the section of the Hudson-Broad that ends at the Outpost. They need to be able to drive a small bus (for customers) with trailer (canoes and kayaks) around the loop. Their website is:
http://www.broadriveroutpost.com/bro.html
July 6th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Sounds like (yet another) good reason to use BRO. We’re happy when a shuttle is made easy! Thanks for the tip.