Kayak the Cahaba River
Birmingham, Alabama
Description
Added by Edward Day
Kayak down one of Alabama's most scenic rivers. With 194 miles of river, there's plenty to explore.
There are several places you can drop your kayak in. This is one of the more accessible spots. Another popular spot for dropping in your kayak is located on Grants Mill Road. If coming from I459, it will be on your left shortly after passing Church of the Highlands. We opted to drop our kayaks in this location due to the calmness of the water. The water is very still and allows for kayaking both ways so you don't need to drop a car. Continuing far enough, you can find small rapids.
Right as you start kayaking you will bear left and continue down the straight away. Right before you go right around the bend, there is a rope swing on your right. There is a small trail where you can walk around to the base of the rope swing. The swing is built relatively well, but do at your own risk. If you continue around the bend a little further, there is a large tree that hangs over the river. There are wooden pegs on the tree which allow you to climb out over the water and jump. The tree is on your right directly after the bend.
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Reviews
Much better places to kayak. The river is full of trash and downed trees. We had to get out multiple times and haul kayaks over fallen trees. Never going kayaking here again.
1.0
3-Day Canoe Camping trip from Harrisburg Rd to SR 14 crossing. Did not see a single person on the river or on shore the entire length of the trip. Lots of wildlife and plenty of beaches to camp out!
5.0
A nice chill place to come you have to pay to get in and it's not too long but it's still a nice place to visit!
3.0
My husband and I love to canoe and be in a river. But this was very disappointing. It's a pretty warm river and in the summer that means snakes. Honestly, we encountered eight copper heads! All of which tried to head for our canoe! It was horrifying experience and out canoe ride lasted about a mile and half in before I had had enough. We came back out a LOT faster than we went in!
1.0
Paddling the Cahaba is a must for Birmingham outdoor enthusiasts. My favorite section to run starts at the Grants Mill put-in (under the bridge where Grants Mill Rd crosses the Cahaba), and finishes at the Old Overton take-out, near the Liberty Park exit off Interstate 459. To run this section, you'll need two vehicles so you've got a shuttle. Takes about 2-3 hours. Be sure to check the Alabama river flow page, here: http://flowpage.alabamawhitewater.com/
4.0
It's crazy this river oasis has such easy access in the midst of one of the busiest and congested parts of Birmingham. Once you paddle up stream just a little from the highway you might as well be in the middle of nowhere! Some great rock cliffs in this stretch with decent fishing and several rope swings for the adventurous.
4.0
Leave No Trace
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