Backpacking and Rafting at the Chattooga River Written by Susan Meredith

Midterms were behind them, bags were packed, and the road trip playlist was ready as UK students set out on the Outdoor Adventures Spring Break program. This year’s adventure combined the thrill of backpacking and rafting along the scenic Chattooga River.

Leah and Nora, UK Campus Recreation Outdoor Adventure leaders, guided the group through various outdoor skills. They taught the students how to read backpacking maps, purify river water for drinking, and even took a leap off Jump Rock during a rafting excursion. Nora, who had participated in this trip two years ago, was now a leader, helping to guide others on the same journey.

The seven-day adventure took the group across three states, hiking and backpacking through diverse landscapes. The trip began with a day hike to Whitewater Falls, Stumphouse Tunnel, and Brasstown Falls in North Carolina—home to Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. From there, they embarked on an overnight backpacking trek along the Chattooga River in South Carolina, followed by day hikes in Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia.

While the mornings were packed with activities, the group found time for rest and relaxation in the late afternoons, offering a refreshing break from the usual campus routine and deadlines.

The highlight of the trip came when the group went white-water rafting with Chattooga River Outpost on the Chattooga River, where they had the river all to themselves for a truly unique experience. They rafted Section 4, which is home to the famous Five Falls—five Class IV-V rapids within just one-third of a river mile. The rapids include the 75-foot Entrance, Corkscrew, Crack-In-the-Rock, Jawbone, and Sock’em Dog. The group paddled hard and stayed in the boat as they raced down the river, navigating the thrilling twists and drops.

This spring break adventure is one of the standout experiences of the semester, offering students a chance to reset and recharge before tackling the final stretch of the academic year. The Outdoor Adventures program provides all food, backpacking gear, and transportation for these trips. All UK students can also rent outdoor equipment through our rental service at the Johnson Center Climbing Wall.

If you missed out on this spring break journey, don’t worry—our Outdoor Adventure leaders plan activities nearly every weekend, and summer outings are already in the works. You can register for upcoming adventures [here].

The safety of all participants is always a top priority. All Outdoor Adventure leaders are trained in Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and hold certifications to respond effectively in case of an emergency. Some of the trip leaders hold a Wilderness First Responder which is a higher certification than WFA. They go through extra tests and training to maintain that in addition to the WFA classes. This ensures that students can enjoy their outdoor experiences with confidence, knowing that their leaders are prepared for any situation.