Sunset Drift
The St. Marys at Golden Hour
The Experience
Go up under your own power, then quit paddling and let the current bring you back. That is the whole idea. The St. Marys here is slow, dark and sheltered by hardwood on both banks, and the last hour of light on black water does something a photograph never quite catches.
We launch from the landing at the bottom of the property, a third of a mile from the ranch house and about fifty-five feet below it. From there it is 1.2 miles of frontage with nobody else on it. The far bank is Georgia — the state line runs down the middle of the channel.
Larger groups paddle kayaks from our outfitting partner, All Wet Sports. Two or three can take the ranch canoe instead. Beginners are welcome; this river is slow, undammed, and there is no whitewater on it anywhere.
Launch time moves with the sunset: roughly 5 PM from March through October, and closer to 3:30 PM from November through February, when the light is gone by six. We confirm the exact time when we confirm your date.
- Kayak or canoe, paddle, and PFD
- Pre-launch instruction
- Campfire at the landing afterward
- S’mores and cold drinks
- Towels on shore
- Clothes and shoes that can get wet
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- A change of clothes for after
- Date nights
- Small group outings
- Wedding weekend add-on
- Retreat evening programming
- Family adventures
This experience runs for groups of 2 or more. Tell us your preferred dates and party size and we'll confirm availability.
No payment needed yet — we'll get back to you within 24 hours to lock in a date.
This experience can be added to any wedding weekend, retreat, or corporate offsite at River & Roots. Ask about bundle pricing.
Let's get you out here.
Tell us which experience you're interested in, who you're bringing, and when you'd like to come.