Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Toccoa River Floating, Rafting, and Boating Safety - It is important to follow these simple and crucial guidelines when you are canoeing down the Toccoa River.
It is important to follow these simple and crucial guidelines if you are going to be hiking and camping in woods and forests.
Public Notice
Those persons floating the Toccoa River are allowed passage through private lands along the river. However, according to state law, fishing, camping and entering onto private land is illegal without landowner permission, as is fishing from the river in a boat, tube, or any other floating device where both sides of the river are privately owned.
Your Cooperation Needed! Cooperation between the Public, Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and Private Landowners is needed to ensure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the Toccoa River. Please do the following to ensure cooperation:
Toccoa River Canoe Trail Guidelines & Regulations
Permission is needed from the landowner for camping, fishing, or entering onto private land for any purpose.
According to state law, permission is needed from the landowner for fishing from the river in a boat, tube, or any other floating device when land on both sides of the river is privately owned. Respect private property owners, and public property.
According to Forest Service's attorneys and the USDA Office of General Council, the public has the right of passage on the Toccoa River as long as you do not enter onto private land without permission. This means that you can float through private land, but must have permission from the landowner for any other activities on their property, including fishing from the river in a boat, tube, or any other floating device where both sides are privately owned. National Forest System lands are open to camping, hiking, fishing, and picnic activities. However, you are responsible for removing all trash.
Fishing Regulations are enforced according to state law. See the Department of Natural Resources Fishing Regulations for specific information about fishing where the private landowner owns both sides of the river. Fishing is allowed on segments of the river where one or both sides are National Forest System Lands, provided anglers are legally licensed and comply with all state fishing regulations.
Life preservers should be worn by all persons floating the river. Forest Service developed canoe access points along the river are located at Deep Hole Recreation Area and Sandy Bottom River Access.
Forest Service Boundaries are marked and posted. This map is larger than most screens. It will open in a new window so you can adjust its size and scroll as needed. Sandy Bottom Canoe Take-Out Launch AreaNone other than generally accepted social behavior. CAUTION: Fishing, camping and entering onto private land is illegal without ownership permission, as is fishing from the river in a boat, tube, or any other floating device where both sides of the river are privately owned. Camping in designated sites only at Sandy Bottoms take-out. Recommended take out points are on U.S. Forest Service public lands. Forest Service Boundaries are marked and posted.
Camping 
