The Bear Creek is a scenic waterway that is fed from the Upper Bear Creek Dam. Scheduled weekend dam releases make the Bear Creek a good summer paddling waterway. There are numerous put-in and take-out areas, with each segment of river offering different paddling experiences. While some areas have class 1 water great for beginners, others have the occasion class 2 rapid that should be respected. The beautiful surroundings, sandbars, and riverbanks are ideal for picnics, but camping on the Bear Creek is prohibited. Please remember that if you paddle the segment of Bear Creek that includes Factory Falls, as you will have to carry your boat around this area of water. You can not paddle over the falls, regardless of your skill level! Travel to the Bear Creek takes approximately 2 ½ hours, so plan for a long, but very enjoyable day. To enjoy a day on the Bear Creek, plan on leaving the Huntsville area around 7 AM and don’t expect to return until late evening.