Suppose you owned land next to a river.
You might have concerns about liability for people getting out of
canoes or kayaks onto your land.
But you’re in luck!
Georgia state law says you’re not liable for most things that could happen.

The Georgia Recreational Use Statute is in

O.C.G.A. §51-3-20 through §51-3-26.
Here are a few excerpts.

§51-3-20. Purpose of article

The purpose of this article is to encourage owners of land to make
land and water areas available to the public for recreational
purposes by limiting the owners’ liability toward persons entering
thereon for recreational purposes.

Does that include boating?

§51-3-21.
(4) “Recreational purpose” includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following or any combination thereof: hunting, fishing, swimming, boating,
camping, picnicking, hiking, pleasure driving, nature study, water skiing,
winter sports, and viewing or enjoying historical, archeological, scenic,
or scientific sites.

Yes, it includes boating, hiking, picnicking, and other things people
might be doing on or nearby a river.
So what liability is covered?

§51-3-22. Duty of owner of land to those using same for recreation generally

Except as specifically recognized by or provided in Code Section 51-3-25,
an owner of land owes no duty of care to keep the premises safe for
entry or use by others for recreational purposes or to give any warning
of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on the premises
to persons entering for recreational purposes.

HISTORY: Ga. L. 1965, p. 476, s 3.

O.C.G.A. § 51-3-23 (1994)

§51-3-23. Effect of invitation or permission to use land for recreation

Except as specifically recognized by or provided in Code Section 51-3-25,
an owner of land who either directly or indirectly invites or permits
without charge any person to use the property for recreational purposes
does not thereby:

(1) Extend any assurance that the premises are safe for any purpose;

(2) Confer upon such person the legal status of an invitee or licensee
to whom a duty of care is owed; or

(3) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to person
or property caused by an act of omission of such persons.

HISTORY: Ga. L. 1965, p. 476, s 4.

There’s a bit more in the statute, and while I’m not a lawyer,
it looks to me like unless a landowner deliberately makes it unsafe
for people to step ashore or gain access, the landowner is not liable
if someone falls and breaks a leg or is otherwise injured after coming
ashore from a river.


I don’t know what it would take to be liable; maybe not even

deliberately closing off a public road leading to a river,
if people could still walk over the barricade.

-jsq