IF your looking to go rafting in North Georgia I would recommend the city of Clayton as your base camp. My son and I went up in late July and stayed three nights at the Days Inn hotel. The Days Inn was clean, right off Hwy 441, and not far from Wild Water Rafting LTD. Wild Water Rafting is a professionally run company with very nice raft guides. We rafted the Chattooga river. The trip started around 10 AM and ended around 4 PM. The water was kind of low but we still had loads of fun climbing the water falls, rafting, and viewing the beautiful scenery. The next day we launched from Clayton and visited several areas in the mountains and later ate at the Dillard House in Dillard. I would suggest rafting in May or June when the water is higher. Also, bring along a fishing pole if you enjoy fishing for trout.

I have visited Clayton, GA many times since my sister lives within a 30 minute drive from her home. I have experienced everything in Clayton from a day spa massage to a hot dog at the local corner drugstore soda fountain (my children ages 22-34 have never even seen a drugstore soda fountain).
Clayton is a town you can never get tired of visiting. The town is filled with unique stores and shops, as well as restaurants and cafes. One of my favorite stores is Reeves Hardware. The "Hardware" in it's name is only the beginning. The store covers almost a city block and is filled with anything you can imagine from a nut and bolt, to gorgeous furniture, silk flowers, and a bridal registry for china and crystal. I can get lost in that store for hours, and never see everything.
On a recent visit, I walked into the corner drugstore on a Saturday afternoon and thought I was interrupting a birthday party - the whole soda fountain area was filled with children and moms. I asked the clerk if the soda fountain was rented out for a special party - to which she replied "no, this is our usual Saturday lunch crowd". How refreshing that was, to see them enjoying time together - the children having fun and the moms socializing with their friends in such a positive atmosphere.
I just cannot say enough about Clayton, Georgia but I'll tell you this - every time I visit I cannot wait to go back again!