Coosa Outdoor Center - Wetumpka, AL - Whitewater Rafting Trips on Waymarking.com

The Coosa Outdoor Center has kayaks and canoes for rental, and has three trips a day to a point just below Jordan Dam for families to be able to enjoy some time on s stretch of river with easier rapids. They also have a store, Southern Trails, that sells kayaks, canoes, and a large range of related equipment and clothing.

Our first experience at kayaking came through an event sponsored by members of the Alabama Geocachers Association in 2011. Using the services provided by the Coosa Outdoor Center, we rented kayaks and went down the Coosa River, stopping at the rock at Moccasin Gap to complete the requirements of the earthcache there (GC2GKQB, The Gap). Unfortunately, we had to stay a bit longer than intended due to a thunderstorm in the area. Still, we had a great time learning about the sport and how to navigate the three classes of rapids along that stretch of the river (I, II, II/III).

In our particular case, we rented a two-person sit-on-top kayak. The Center provided the life vests and helmets along with the kayak and oars. They took us to the launch site below Jordan Dam where we newbys had enough time to learn how to control our kayaks. At the end of our trip, we put in at their facility, changed into dry clothes, and left. It was a great experience.

The following from the web page below gives more information.

"“Do the Coosa” with Coosa Outdoor Center. We rent canoes, kayaks and sit-on-tops at 172 River Road in Wetumpka, AL from mid-March to the end of October. Reservations may be made by calling 334 201-5510 or 334 567-3788.

Our put-in is located at the Jordan Dam East Boat Ramp between Jordan Dam and a 70-foot rock outcropping that some call the end of the Appalachian Mountains.

Whether you are a beginner or experienced paddler, young or more mature, you’ll have a great time “Doing the Coosa!” if you are physically in shape. The scenery on the Coosa is beautifully serene. One often has the opportunity to see osprey, eagles and great blue herons. The Coosa River is also the home of the Tulotomo Magnificent Snail which is an endangered species.

The first half mile of the river is moving flat water which is a great place to become familiar with your boat and comfortable with the water.

The rapids begin at River Falls with a number of Class I and II. The rapids are interspersed with pools of flat water. Class II/III Moccasin Gap is located about halfway down the whitewater stretch of the Coosa. The river center rock at Moccasin Gap is a great place to stop and swim, picnic with your family and watch the kayakers do their boating tricks.

There are numerous rapids following Moccasin Gap with the last rapid being Corn Creek Rapid. It is only a few hundred yards downstream from the large white house on river right (you’ll see a Lighthouse adjacent to the house). Just past the Corn Creek Rapid, you will need to move to left of river center to see our bright yellow “Coosa Outdoor Center Take-Out” banner. If you go past the small wooden deck (river left) on which the large bright yellow banner is hung, you will miss the take-out and you must turn around and paddle back 100 ft. There is a fee for pick-ups further down the river!"

Class of Rapids on Trip: III - Rapids with high, irregular waves Name of trip: Do the Coosa Type of trip: Beginner Duration of Trip: 1/2 day or less Minimum Age Requirement: Children as parents decide. Gear Provided: Free Meal provided: No Shuttle provided: Yes Cost of trip per person: 29.00 (listed in local currency) Is this trip family-friendly?: Yes Address of meeting place: 172 River Road Wetumpka, AL USA 36092 Company's website: [Web Link] Phone Number of Company: 334-201-5510 Additional parking coordinates (if necessary): Not Listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/16/2013 BlueLew visited it