Kayak Camping Trip - Ocmulgee River, Georgia

Kayak Camping Time! Greg, Kevin and I were joined by Crossed Paddle founders Mitchell Childers and Anthony Barbour as we head down to Georgia for a little kayak camping trip with some Alabama boys! Dan Truitt of the Southern Paddler, Wes Jones and Old Crow from As the Crow Flies Hiking met us in Macon Georgia for a weekend on the Ocmulgee River. It was a weekend of fun, laughs, beautiful country, swimmer bell, paddling in the dark, gators, midnight Waffle House runs and more!
#kayakcamping #ocmulgeeriver
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0:00 - The Dilemma
2:04 - On the Road
2:34 - Macon!
3:30 - Georgia's Best BBQ!
6:08 - The River!!
7:29 - Launch
15:50 - Helmets On!
21:06 - Swimmer Bell!
25:31 - Helmets, Skirts and Stickers - Break Time!
28:02 - The search for the campsite
31:38 - Home for the Night
36:13 - Ice Cream Bars!
38:28 - Reflections

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Let’s go!!! ✌️

[@benlee2775]

This is what i love about youtube, im from a completely different place in the world and its just awesome seeing this type of thing.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ben!!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome trip Pete! Appreciate you letting me tag along. I had a blast. Excellent video, editing, and story telling in this one. Crow

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks for coming Crow!! Cant wait until next time!

[@leonbax4655]

I really feel blessed that I found ur channel, even in my darkest day u put a smile on my face and warm my soul .thank you and God bless the river kings

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks so much for the kind words Leon! I really appreciate that!

[@keithtauber4153]

I love how the guy in charge helps those through rougher waters by positioning his kayak right in front of them causing newbs to have a hard maneuver to evade hitting him. hahaha. This is a cool video though 👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yeah that guy is a total carnage hound! When choosing between getting good footage and making things extra easy for the newer paddlers...always get the footage! LOL

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I live near macon and grew up fishing this river. A friend of mine and myself would fish and camp this river using a plastic canoe and an aluminum flat bottom jon boat from our teens to twenties. Im 49 now and due to back pain issues and kidney issues I no longer fish and I lost my friend to cancer. He was the only person I would trust to stand up in the canoe and cast fish without having to worry about falling in. We both had good water legs LOL :) We would pull up on sandbars and camp and fish all night for catfish and then get a few hours sleep and fish bass during the day. It was nice to see the river again and share the trip.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Mike!!! Thats a pretty river with some good fishing! Hold on to those memories! That is really my overarching goal with this channel - a way for me to stay connected with all these memories!

[@iowaadventures4701]

What a grate video of what’s its like to kayak withe grate people.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton IA!!

[@AVAJourneys]

Enjoyed it! That river certainly appeared to be like navigating a labyrinth initially. Hate we missed the premier. AVA Brian

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Brian!!

[@normiewoo787]

Just discovered this channel. Wow. So cool to be out in nature with friends, old and new. Thank you for sharing.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton!!

[@gregturnbow7089]

Love it! Just bought a sea ghost 110 and have the same thing in mind. Looks like you all had a great time. I can't wait. Be safe be blessed.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Greg!

[@fatgirlsoutdoors831]

I enjoyed this video SO MUCH! The perfection of the trip was reflected in the video and I felt like I was there! The river calls! I hope someday to be a helmet/skirt paddler. Love your camping/expedition videos… your editing and videography keep getting better and better.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks a ton FGO!!!!

[@turtleheadboys5263]

Man that looked like y'all were having a blast! Awesome Job and cant wait to wait to see what happens next!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

For sure Josh!!! It was....interesting! LOL

[@wileysmith823]

It’s Wiley the second best fisherman video is awesome 🤙🤙

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Wiley!!! You will be on next week's video!

[@ianhopcraft9894]

Inspiration again. Great video and very funny.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thank you Ian!!

[@gregadams2162]

Thanks for not leaving me guys

[@RiverKingsKayak]

A trip without Greg is just not worth going on...

[@rickythreet391]

This is awesome to say the least. Been trying to get all my buddys to want to do this for years. Picking them off one at a time having them buy yaks.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Ricky! Sounds like you guys are about to have some serious fun!

[@SouthernPaddler]

This was great- excellent work, Pete!! 😊

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Dan!

[@dirtdobber2185]

That was a good first day Pete i hate i missed it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Us too DD!!

[@Chompchompyerded]

Take a look at those touring boats! Sign says: "wear life vests area". LOL! It's illegal to get on any water without a life vest back home. Basically the "wear life vests area" there is when you cross the state line. If law enforcement catches you in anything bigger than a bathtub without a life vest you've just earned a ticket. Hope I get to go back there someday. Some rivers you paddle not because they're challenging, but because the scenery is great. Lazy days just cruising along just to see what you can see can be as rewarding as successfully running a class 5.` Just wondering... where's your son? Does he prefer to only do higher level white water? I really love watching him progress into a better and better kayaker. I love seeing you coach, teach, and guide these other folks too. I covet James' swim team sticker. Oh how I would have loved to have intentionally earned one of those. Congratulations James! That's a much desired award. What a video. Loved it. Just loved it. Makes me feel a bit like I'm on the water again. Keep 'em coming. They help me keep my spirits up.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on MammaDuck! send me an email to [e-mail] and I can get a swimmer bell sticker headed your way! P5 doesnt enjoy the longer trips without bigger whitewater, LOL! He is starting to consider the kayak camping trips though...perhaps I will get him out there soon! Thanks!

[@travisstowell7800]

You guys just paddled over some of the BEST fishing in the state of Georgia. 😎

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I could tell! We saw lots of fish and some folks catching some bass!

[@LawsonTrawick]

Fresh air has the best coleslaw

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I will need to try that next time!!

[@shaneoakley8757]

Epic

[@HanzgohFilms]

I do love to see long boats in faster water! #PaddlesUp

[@RiverKingsKayak]

We have the New River expedition as well as the French Broad Expedition that may be what you are looking for...

[@HanzgohFilms]

@@RiverKingsKayak yeah. I’ve watched those. Love your videos. You are a great ambassador for WW and long boat paddling. I took a rookie on this latest trip and he’s hooked now also. He’s now looking for his own boat.

[@deangousse2113]

Looks like you had a blast!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Indeed Dean!! Was waaaay too much fun! LOL

[@wesleywhitener4552]

I think you'd enjoy the Hiwassee river (Reliance, TN) with this set up.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Wesley! I have never been on that one.

[@d.collier_8280]

Another good float trip is the Flint River

[@RiverKingsKayak]

We have talked about that one. Sooo many rivers! too little time!

[@IE_Tiger]

I really like the chapters and the natural views. It's also nice to see more detail around the camping aspect which I suspect is easier when you stop while there's still daylight left. I hope to one day be solar powered.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Tiger!!

[@d.collier_8280]

That 1st camp spot y’all were at, is the horse camp area. We always camp at wise creek which is upstream from the horse camp.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on 85!

[@WVWes]

I see some new editing tricks in there. Looks great! awesome job capturing the river!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Wes! Same old tricks, lol. mostly speed ramping. I seem to come in and out of using them. Trying to spice up the b-roll a little bit though. I need to purpose myself to getting more shots...but im lazy...lol!

[@WVWes]

@@RiverKingsKayak I doubt lazy has ever been a word to describe you! Regardless of the tricks being new or old, this edit was great

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@WVWes thank you sir!

[@curanhenning4070]

Awesome video !

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Curan!

[@ingelri2]

Come now, you were in Jackson, GA to eat Fresh Air BBQ! That's where I live. You're still 45 minutes north of Macon!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he!

[@joesjourney9986]

Definitely need to make the trip up there from Savannah!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Joe! I need to do the Savanah as well!

[@kwright683]

The weather up here in Ohio is starting to turn to great kayak camping weather...hmmm. Thank you for the inspirational video, lol. I do believe I know what must happen in my life soon. Great vid as always!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on! Get After it K! Thanks!

[@d.collier_8280]

Ocmulgee is my home river

[@RiverKingsKayak]

It's a pretty one!

[@HanzgohFilms]

Hey RK Pete- I just got back from 4 days on the Manistee River in MI- you got me doing the paddle toss now. I went prob 6-8 for reasonable branches...lol I also bought that dry bag that you suggested in a video and it was great! Great Trip... again Hoping to paddle with the RiverKings someday! #PaddleOn

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Hans!! I love it!

[@ricardogarcia5063]

hello Hans. i was hoping you might share what section you did on the manistee and if you have any advice. i plan on goin up there from northern illinois this summer for a week and looking to do 100+ miles

[@HanzgohFilms]

@@ricardogarcia5063 hi- couple years ago I did deward to ccc bridge. This trip I went from Ccc bridge to Chippewa campground. They actually shuttled us to ccc bridge. It’s a beautiful river. Nice riverside camping. We used hammocks this trip. There is a lot of private land so be careful not to camp there. I’d def recommend it tho - great river.

[@HanzgohFilms]

@@ricardogarcia5063 I’d recommend a book called canoeing Michigan Rivers by Jerry Dennis and Craig Date. They have great info and details

[@lrparrish227]

Beautiful place. Love it!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Lynda!

[@Covingsworth]

im in Atlanta and have always wanted to do this river. amazing adventure as usual man!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Covingsworth!

[@d.collier_8280]

That first set of shoals is where I broke my paddle last year during low flow

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Oh dang!

[@troybennington3479]

Your saying class two is good too! Never knew, it’s the class of people your with, not always the class of the river. Looks like a class 5 trip.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Troy!! You are right!!

[@d.collier_8280]

Bro! You were literally 15 minutes from my house! I would’ve had joined y’all if I knew you were coming down…

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Bullnose!! That would have been cool!

[@lrparrish227]

Oh honey come to Texas!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I would love to catch some of your rivers! Gatewood and I have been talking!

[@vogt666]

Looks awesome. I just did my first kayak camping trip over the weekend in Indiana and it was awesome. I'm moving to GA soon and can't wait to paddle the rivers down there. Are you allowed to camp on the bank anywhere there isn't already someone living there? Thanks and great video

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks vogt2. Each state is different. Here in NC we can camp anywhere below the high water mark...

[@mikeeels7903]

Pete, funny timing. Glad you did this. I've had my eye on this river as my first trip since it's about 4 hours from me and I got all the gear I need to be a beater now. What dates did you go? Gage looks like it will be low for a while now.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

We went April 29th through May 1

[@michaeleels7614]

@@RiverKingsKayak I went! First whitewater trip. Had a couple funny things happen that I've seen in your videos: 1, wandered into Lamar Mill shoals completely clueless, thinking we had already done it, then just bombed our way down the middle (that was fun!), 2, passed on a couple campsites, and ended up having to go over 14 miles in one day (that was not so fun! especially since I was in a squirrel and brother was in a nomad... those boats really do NOT like to go straight) Shortly after trip did my first roll in a pool. Anyway, thanks a lot for your videos Pete. How to read, paddle, edge, eddy, roll, not skip campsites; it's all there! And I really followed all of that advice, except the campsite one, and really did pay for that one lol

[@chuck8228]

Dang I got excited! I still got 25 min.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

join the chat!

[@whatsnext8696]

Man y'all are awesome.. how do I get a river kings patch or hat to sport as I find m adventures ?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks what's next. shoot me an email at [e-mail]

[@RobBrown2288]

The ol' "grab the bottom of the boat" trick! That trick never works...

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he!

[@texasgoldhunter]

We just did an overnight from Juliette dam to popes ferry. Where did yall put in

[@RiverKingsKayak]

At the Georgia Power Boat Ramp below Lloyd Shoals dam and took out in Macon.

[@juanhuttoe4517]

Glad you guys made it to our neck of the woods. So fresh air BBQ isn't the best in ga. By far. Just saying.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Juan! he he he! What is your favorite?

[@juanhuttoe4517]

@@RiverKingsKayak old Clinton BBQ in gray. Good stuff.

[@boroblueyes]

Too many great BBQ joints in Georgia to crown one as the best. Open Air in Jackson is tasty though. I think I'll try to put together a crew of River Dogs to trace your journey, that looked really good.

[@ADVENTUREKM]

That's looks like a fun trip! What is the best distance between trees for a hammock? Looking at getting one now.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks AKM! About 17' seems to be perfect for me! You can go closer or further depending on your set up though...

[@ADVENTUREKM]

@@RiverKingsKayak ya i agree depending on how tall the person is too. I guess there is at least a minimum too close your butt will be on the ground. I watched the video of your hammock in the tree at the swamp? How did you manage to tie that?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

which video was that?

[@ADVENTUREKM]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWanqJuZlNd8hJo At 11:22 in your video. You can see picture of hammock. Lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

ahhh yes, the ole Swiss Family Robinson Hammock Tree! That was an AMAZING tree...AND my only option other than low hanging fruit over the gator slide. I simply walked up that giant branch and hung it between two other branches up there...had to be careful getting in and out...it was about 12' off the ground

[@MT-gk1xf]

I live in Macon Georgia

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on MT!

[@MT-gk1xf]

@@RiverKingsKayak Great video!! Me and my 2 year old grandson enjoyed it.

[@alowatsakima8950]

Best bar-b-que is Ridgewood. Bluff City, TN

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I will have to try that one!

[@whatsnext8696]

What part of the river is that? I live in McRae right off the little ocmulgee

[@RiverKingsKayak]

We put in just below the dam and took out down there in Macon.

[@deuceryan]

Great video again from the River King. Pete, my crew just got back from AR kayaking the Mulberry and White rivers and yak-packing the Buffalo. I'd like to share a few pics with you if I could get your email address.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

[e-mail]. I would love to see that! Thanks!

[@TheOfficialDOP]

What boat are you paddling?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

That is my Prijon Yukon Expedition

[@canajian]

[@andrewthompson9072]

Awesome video!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Andrew!