The Chestatee River is surrounded by private property throughout Lumpkin County even though the river passes through the City of Dahlonega. Although the river can be accessed at bridges along the river, gaining access to the numerous shoals on the river and Grindle Shoals in particularly has to be with the permission of land owners. Grindle Shoals is located just below Grindle Bridge on Cavender Creek Road. The primary tributaries of the river are Dicks Creek, Frogtown Creek, Boggs Creek, Pecks Mill Creek, Tesnatee Creek, Yahoola Creek and Cane Creek. The river which flows into Lake Lanier is totally contained within Lumpkin County.

The name Chestatee is derived from the Cherokee word referring to the "fire hunting" method of killing deer in the river at night. Reference: James Mooney, Myths of the Cherokee and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees.

GPS and TOPO Data: Shoals N34º 33.60' W83º 52.26'
Elevation 1300'