River enthusiasts now have access to new information kiosks designed to improve safety, navigation, and awareness along the Chattooga River.
Georgians will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as National Fishing and Boating Week returns June 6-14, 2026, with special events, educational programs, and two free fishing days offered statewide.
The Chattooga River Group will host its 5th Annual Chattooga River Fest on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Trion Recreation Area in Trion. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.
Presented by the Family Crisis Center, the festival celebrates the Chattooga River and outdoor recreation while offering a full day of family-friendly activities, entertainment, food, and educational opportunities.
Festival highlights include a free family-friendly kayak paddle on the river, a free KidZone, an open mic stage, a cornhole tournament, educational demonstrations and talks, exhibitors, and a variety of festival food vendors. Visitors will also have opportunities to purchase kayak raffle tickets and event merchandise at the Chattooga River Group tent.
Live music will cap off the day as The Band Chickamauga takes the stage from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
The event will be held at the Trion Recreation Area, located at the corner of Park Avenue and Dalton Street. Those using GPS should use 90 Dalton Street, Trion, GA 30753. Organizers say both parking and admission are free.
Registration and fees are required for those wishing to participate in the cornhole tournament or as festival vendors.
Additional information is available at ChattoogaRiverGroup.org and on the Chattooga River Group Facebook page.
Trust for Public Land, Walker County, and the City of Chickamauga officially dedicated the new John Culpepper Chickamauga Battlefield Connector Trail on Friday.
The Coosa River Basin Initiative’s Swim Guide will return for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Walker County officials will host a grand opening celebration for the new Adventure Acres park on Wednesday, May 20, from 4 PM until 6 PM.
The new park is located at 370 Salem Road in Rossville.
The celebration will include a brief program, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the official activation of the park’s splash pad. Refreshments and giveaway items will also be available while supplies last.
Adventure Acres was funded primarily through a $2.2 million American Rescue Plan Act grant. The park features a nature-themed playground with more than 60 components, including a multi-lane zip track, swings, climbing boulders, a splash pad, quarter-mile walking trail, open green space, pavilion, restrooms, community Wi-Fi hotspot, and solar-powered charging station.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in Summerville is gearing up for a busy summer season, with camping, hiking, fishing and family-friendly programs available for visitors.
Park Manager Katy Gramling says summer adventures at the park include several camping options, including electric campsites, backcountry campsites and a pioneer campground with water but no electricity.
Gramling says weekend reservations are mostly booked into June, but weekday campers may have a better chance of finding an available site.
Upcoming events at the park include Junior Ranger Camps June 10-12, June 22-25 and July 16-17. The camps are designed for children ages 6 to 12 and include outdoor skills, crafts and ranger-led activities. The park will also host “Star Spangled S’mores and Stories” on July 4 at 7 PM, featuring campfire games, a storybook, hot cocoa and s’mores.
Visitors can also enjoy the park’s lakes, hiking trails and access to the Pinhoti Trail. For reservations or more information, visit Georgia State Parks online or call the park office at 706-857-0826.
A free community paddle event is planned for Saturday, May 9 at Lyerly Dam in Summerville.
The “Free Fun Paddle,” organized by the Chattooga River Group, will begin at 10 AM and take participants along the Blue Trail from the Lyerly Dam launch to Chattoogaville.
Participants will be joined by Shane Kornberg, a natural resources expert with UGA Extension, who will share information on river ecology, invasive versus native species, and the importance of maintaining a diverse ecosystem.
Those planning to attend are asked to bring their own kayak, paddle, life jacket, and snacks, and should be prepared to arrange transportation after the paddle. Organizers will also require a signed waiver before launch.
The event is open to the public
As warmer weather settles into Northwest Georgia, the Coosa River Basin Initiative is gearing up for another season of water safety monitoring ahead of the busy summer months.
Pickleball players in Walker County now have a new place to play, as four new courts have opened at Walker Rocks Park on the Walker County Civic Center campus.