Ohio: Licking River

Two kayaks paddle on a river past a large rock wall

Licking River Main Branch Location: The Licking River is a part of the Mississippi River watershed and is located in central Ohio near Newark. How to access: The Riverview Reserve, a 110-acre nature preserve, has an accessible boat launch. From here, paddlers can access the easier section that goes through Blackhand Gorge. The whitewater section…

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Tennessee: Tellico River and Norris Lake

kayaker paddles over a ten foot waterfall

Tellico River Location: The Tellico River is approximately 60 miles from Knoxville and 90 miles from Chattanooga. The river primarily runs through Monroe County near Tellico Plains. How to access: The aptly named River Road provides several access points. All the rapids on this river are within view of the road, which makes it easier…

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Virginia: Clinch and Maury rivers

man in a canoe goes over a rapid

Clinch River Location: The Clinch River forms in Tazewell County, Va., flowing unfettered through Southwest Virginia on its way to Tennessee, where it encounters two dams before joining the Tennessee River. How to access: The Virginia section of the Clinch hosts numerous launch and take-out sites. Review a map and mileage information at clinchriverva.com. Difficulty:…

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South Carolina: Pacolet River

Pacolet River Location: The Pacolet River runs through northwestern South Carolina near the towns of Spartanburg and Lockhart. How to access: There are several access points to the river, and the river flows close to major roads and highways that make it highly accessible. The first access point is located on River Street in Clifton,…

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Georgia: Toccoa River

girl paddles on the river

Toccoa River Location: The Toccoa River’s primary paddling routes are near the town of Blue Ridge in northwest Georgia. Difficulty: The Toccoa is a Class I and II river —with one II+ rapid — and provides training opportunities for beginning whitewater paddlers. It is best suited for canoes or long kayaks because of its flatwater…

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Emily Shanblatt

Emily paddles down a rapid

“We believe the outdoors is like a hack, or a shortcut, for developing competent and confident young women, and we’re seeing that firsthand with our students everyday,” says Emily Shanblatt, an avid paddler and instructor to middle school girls at the French Broad River Academy.

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