By the Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center Team
Big Cedar Creek in August is a different creek than it was in May. The water is lower and clearer, the current is easier, and the whole 3-mile float is quieter now that the peak of summer traffic has moved on to the coast. If you have been thinking about a shuttle-and-float weekend at Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center in Cave Spring, GA, this is the stretch of season we get asked about the most, so we figured we would put down what we have been seeing.
What the creek looks like right now
Mid-August water on Big Cedar Creek runs low and slow, which is exactly the profile most guests are looking for. It is a wading-friendly stretch through here, with gravel bottoms in the shallows and deeper cool pockets under the rock ledges. You can read the water from your kayak, spot fish holding in the shade, and follow the current without much paddling. The shallow riffles that spring floaters have to work through are relaxed by now, and the tubing lanes are exactly where you would want them.
Water clarity has been holding well. We had a couple of quick storms in early August that pushed the creek up briefly, but conditions cleared inside a day. If you are keeping an eye on flows before you book, the USGS Georgia water data page is the easiest tool for stream gauges in Northwest Georgia. The NWS Peachtree City forecast office covers Cave Spring for daily weather.
The shuttle and the float
The way it works at Cedar Creek: you park at the property, we shuttle you upstream, and gravity brings you home. The put-in sits about 3 miles upstream, and the float lands you back at the property’s private creek access. Kayakers usually take between two and three hours depending on how much time they spend swimming or fishing along the way. Tubers can stretch it out longer.
Shuttle departures run year-round with the last run each day at 2pm so nobody floats into dusk. If you have a group of six or more, it is worth booking ahead of time so we can slot you in on one van rather than staggering you across two.
What guests are seeing
Wildlife has been the sleeper feature this month. Great blue herons work the shallows on almost every float. Guests coming off the water in the last two weeks have mentioned a doe and fawn drinking creekside near the second bend, and a couple of kingfishers doing the fast strafing runs they do this time of year. If you keep your eyes on the banks and paddle quietly through the slow sections, you see a lot more than you would think.
The fishing overlap is worth mentioning. Smallmouth and rock bass are active in the deeper pockets. If you are the kind of guest who likes to bring a rod on the kayak, a light spinning setup with a small crankbait or a soft plastic on a jig head is about all you need. Georgia state fishing regulations and license info are at georgiawildlife.com/fishing. Kids under 16 fish free with a licensed adult in Georgia.
What to bring
- Water shoes. The creek bottom is mostly gravel, but there are stones. Nobody wants a flip-flop float.
- A dry bag. Phones do not survive the mid-float swim, and every group has one person who ends up in the water. Dry bags are available for purchase at our general store if you need one.
- Sunscreen and a hat. The tree canopy covers a good portion of the float, but the open stretches are direct sun.
- Water and snacks. Three hours goes faster than you think. Our general store on the property carries the basics if you forget.
- A cheap camera or a dry-bagged phone. The wildlife makes it worth the trouble.
Where you’ll stay
Cedar Creek has full-hookup RV sites right on the property, tent sites tucked into the pines, and the Bird’s Nest Lodge for groups that need real walls and a real roof. The property sits about ten minutes from the city of Cave Spring and inside easy reach of the Silver Comet Trail if a rest day on the bike sounds good. You can see the full lineup on the Cedar Creek property page.
How to book
Late August through Labor Day weekend is a fast-moving booking window. If you have a group you want to get on the shuttle, don’t sit on it. Learn more about the float and book your shuttle time on our website. Reserve an overnight stay in the campground at book.outdooradventureretreats.com, or call the property directly at (706) 777-3030 if you want us to talk through options.
See you on the creek.
FAQ
What’s the water like on Big Cedar Creek in August?
Lower and clearer than spring, with easy current and shallow gravel bottoms in most stretches. Deeper pockets stay cool under the rock ledges. You can read the water from your kayak.
Do I need to book the shuttle in advance?
Reservations for shuttle time are recommended, especially for groups of six or more. You can book a shuttle time and/or kayak rental online here, or call the property at (706) 777-3030 to slot in.
What should I bring on the float?
Water shoes, a dry bag for your phone, sunscreen, a hat, water and snacks for a 2 to 3 hour float. Our general store on the property carries the basics if you forget something.
