Island Ford to Morgan Falls Park on the Chattahoochee River

[@janellsycks9677]

Do you prefer to paddle Island Ford to Morgan Falls or Garrard Landing to Riverside Park? Would prefer a scenic route with rocks and wildlife and fewer people (faster moving water a plus too). Thank you!!!

[@Hydrayak]

Garrard to Riverside is better. Lots of slow water above Morgan Falls and wind can make it more challenging.

[@janellsycks9677]

@@Hydrayak Awesome! Thank you so much for the insight. Do they both take about the same amount of time? I am guessing about 2 hours in a kayak? Thoughts?

[@Hydrayak]

Island ford to Morgan falls would take much longer and require a lot of paddling. It gets very slow. And the wind can blow up river sometimes. That’s a 3 to 4 hour trip with effort. Garrard to Riverside would be about 2 hours and you can float most of it.

[@janellsycks9677]

@@Hydrayak Perfect! Thank you so much for all your help and info!!! I hope you have a great weekend!

[@MikeDarnell-u1b]

Never heard it called Lawyers lake, it's called Bull Sluice.

[@Hydrayak]

Just an old name people used at one point. Not sure why.

[@whatsupdj6]

are there parking for car with trailer at Ford Island?

[@Hydrayak]

Not really. I’d say single parking spots only.

[@oldudesrule]

Is there a way to portage around Morgan Falls Dam?

[@Hydrayak]

It can be done but would be a haul! You’d need kayak carts. Take out at the dock at bull sluice. Then follow the road down the to lower pool at the dam. It’s about a 500 yard walk.

[@oldudesrule]

@@Hydrayak thanks. Looking to canoe and camp as much of the Chattahoochee to the gulf as Possible. 500 yards would be one of the shorter portages.

[@Hydrayak]

@@oldudesrule there's not a whole lot of camping availability on the Chattahoochee River to from Buford Dam to Powers Island. And by not a lot I mean literally zero legal camp sites. It's all private or state property. If you did attempt camping on this stretch 2 things; you'd have to be a "ghost" since camping isn't technically legal here, 2 you would have to camp far above the high water mark from Buford Dam to Morgan Falls while figuring out a solution to moor your kayak overnight. As the water level is subject to 8-10+ feet fluctuation. And the river banks in most spots are 8 - 20 feet steep.

[@oldudesrule]

@@Hydrayak Thanks again.I live pretty close to Powers Island and have family near Lake Lanier. Having someone pick me up for the night won't be an issue. I will be in a canoe and am going to build a folding cart that will help with portages.