Just off the shady slopes of the riverbanks of Phenix City frolics a recently un-dammed stretch of river that has been sculpted into the world’s longest urban whitewater course. Created in 2013 when two dams were removed to let the ‘Hooch run free, the course includes five rapids of Class IV or higher, plus 10 smaller rapids create the Chattahoochee River Whitewater.

The river project has sparked a downtown revitalization in Phenix City, where commercial rafting trips bounce straight through town.

The Chattahoochee River Whitewater course between Columbus, Ga. and Phenix City, Al. extends along the river from just south of the North Highlands Dam near Lake Oliver to the Dillingham Bridge in Uptown Columbus and creates the longest urban whitewater course in the world. There is approximately 2.5 miles of freshwater fun for people to enjoy the river activities with rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing and the Riverwalks provide outdoor activities such as fishing, walking, running, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading and much more!

The Phenix City Riverwalk snakes along the banks of the Chattahoochee River for 1.21 miles. The trail is handicap-accessible and features segments of paved and gravel walkways, along with multiple bridges as its path follows the river along the Alabama-Georgia state line. The forest along the path tends to be open hardwoods along the east (river) side of the walkway, and generally thicker all-age hardwoods mixed with a few pines to the west side.

Plan your trip

Do-it-yourself float trips are best left to experienced whitewater paddlers. Sign up for a commercial rafting trip. Courtesy, Alabama Scenic River Trail