Sections of the Chauga River are popular for whitewater kayaking. The most adventurous section starts at Cassidy Bridge with is a 9.8 miles (15.8 km) section that is rated up to Class IV at high water.

The Chauga River's source is the confluence of Village Creek and East Village Creek about 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Mountain Rest, South Carolina in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest.  A little over 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream, it is joined by Jerry Creek, which flows from Lake Becky and the Oconee State Park. Then it crosses Cassidy Bridge at the Cassidy Bridge Primitive Camp.  Then it is joined by Cedar Creek and Rocky Fork Creek. After it crosses US Highway 76, it is joined by Ramsey Creek at Chau Ram County Park. There it goes over a waterfall at the park and is crossed by a pedestrian suspension bridge.   Then it flows south to Lake Hartwell that was formed by damming the Tugaloo River and the Seneca River.