Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area image

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Tourist attraction Hiking area National park Fishing area Bike trail

Large, forested park popular for river rafting, trout fishing & its variety of hiking/biking trails. People often mention river, trails, park, trail, great, walking, Chattahoochee, beautiful, people, Atlanta,


Address

1978 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, United States

Website

www.nps.gov

Contact

+1 678-538-1273

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (555 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday: (Easter), 9 am to 5 pm, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 5 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: river (29) trails (23) park (15) trail (15) great (14) walking (12) Chattahoochee (12) beautiful (10) people (10) Atlanta (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Tara B. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a beautiful walk way. A perfect place to walk dogs, watch the birds, and maybe find a few lizards and bucks. I would come back in a heart beat and especially on a Tuesday with little to no people there in the morning.
    43 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Audrey 3 years ago on Google
    A beautiful park to explore. My husband and I were in the Atlanta area and decided to visit for a hike. What a lovely time we had walking in the forest and sitting beside the river. The visitor center was very clean and had some great souvenirs. The ranger even helped my husband and I sign-up for a free Military one year National Parks pass. There are several parks along the Chattahoochee River, would love to see them all!
    9 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 DC “DCore F. 1 year ago on Google
    Living literally right across the street from this park affords me the pleasure of visiting this place at least 5 times a week... for the last 20 years. It's nature. Today on my walk, a fawn walked out of the woods across the path and settled merely 10 ft away from me.. we stared at each other as I walked by.. It's a 3.5-mile loop of awesome scenery. Walking or riding.. it never gets old. The best thing about this place.. everyone there is for the same reason, and you feel right at home.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Taylor R. 2 years ago on Google
    Got here early in the morning. The fog on river was beautiful. It was quiet and very peaceful that early. I assume not that many people wanted to be up and hiking at 8am on a Saturday. Only came across a few people fishing and walking their dogs. It was a nice change of pace from where we were staying in the center of Atlanta. The visitor center officially opens at 9am daily, but they didn't really get there until 10 mins after. We got our National Park Passport stamped and we were good to go!
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 randall b. 2 years ago on Google
    We go hiking at Johnson Ferry bridge. Winter is fine but it’s really pretty when the summer comes. There is a nice half hour hike along the River and looping back in the woods and they’ve recently expanded the trail but I haven’t explored that yet. If you turn down Columns Drive there is a longer hike along the River plus trails going higher (bike and walking) up to Sope Creek that give you a little more elevation. Excellently marked trails, impossible to get lost. There’s even a tiny grave yard and near Sope Creek there are ruins of an old mill.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Pamela H. 2 years ago on Google
    It is a very nice place. We were not able to see a lot due to bad knees and bad hip. The hills are steep.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gerard R. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing park and very well kept. Trails are excellent and easy walking. Park service rangers very helpful and friendly. The lodge is very informative and really cool for adults and kids. The location on the river, rock outcroppings, many tree species at incredible. A jewel for our area. Thank you!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 J G. 6 years ago on Google
    This was a great place to get out and go for a walk near the river and capture some pretty photos. I pulled over from driving and it's peaceful out here people go out here to fish also.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Eric James M. 5 years ago on Google
    Great scenic easy walk along the Chattahoochee river. Flat terrain, and some neat rock formations along the trail. It is a short hike unfortunately, and trails that arent along the river are not well traveled or taken care of. Overall I recommend if your looking for a leisurely stroll in a serene setting near the city.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 kirti g. 1 year ago on Google
    Walk, enjoy and rejuvenate... I love being here. Lots of internal trails to explore. You can get bikes free for 1 hour. I sometimes enjoy those bikes too. Just an awesome place to be.. Peace 😊😊🕊️
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chris J. 1 year ago on Google
    Always a great place to get in a good walk or hike. Amazing bike trail through the forest.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wells S. 1 year ago on Google
    Wild gem in a surprise location... with history. So close to modern Atlanta, but close your eyes and go back 200 years. Big, strong river, towering oaks, poplars, and pines. Fine trail with easy grade, popular for walkers, runners, and leashed doggies. I hear that bug spray is smart in summer, but autumn was a breeze. National parks pass or a small fee gets you a parking place are the trailhead.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lakegirl Crystal And Freedom Buoy L. 3 years ago on Google
    This Place is Awesome! 😄I Love The CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER!! 🌎Absolutely Extraordinary and beautiful!!! 💐Can not wait to come back and explore!! 🤠Righteous Current man!!! 😄Lots of interesting Treasures on the bottom. 😆 I can now say that "I was way down yonder on the Chattahoochee"!! 😂Just Like Alan Jackson's song "Chattahoochee"!!🤠 ~ Lakegirl Crystal 🤠💐🌎🌺😂🍁🌸😕💗😞💕🌊🐟🌈🌸🌺
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christi T. 3 years ago on Google
    This was such a peaceful environment. Friendly faces and nature all around. Donations of 5.00 is well worth the trails and history. Will be back for another visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Thearon A. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place for the family!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Taryn S. 1 year ago on Google
    Gorgeous slice of nature. Nice piece beside the river ✨✨🌿🐌🍃
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bob W. 10 months ago on Google
    The Island Ford unit offers easy to moderate trails along and inland from the river, but note that the posted trail maps are out of date. Correct maps are available from the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area website. Also be aware that the far northern extent runs close to GA 400 and there's a lot of road noise.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jigna P. 9 months ago on Google
    Really beautiful and so peaceful. Trail is well paved and easy to walk. Park is clean. There’s plenty of bike rentals Available. Dogs had a great time. There’s plenty of areas to access the river for them. Plenty of parking. Love going weekdays as it’s not too busy. Bring bug spray!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amanda K. 6 months ago on Google
    Gorgeous trails. I could spend hours walking around. The waterfalls were relaxing. I rested on a few of the benches throughout the park to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Wonderful experience with the junior ranger program!! You won't regret your visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Guillermo M. 4 years ago on Google
    This is a clean and quite environment with beatiful landscapes
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Greg S. 7 months ago on Google
    On a cross country trip from South Carolina to California, we were looking for a place to take a picture of the Chattahoochee River. We know the river because of Alan Jackson's song, "Chattahoochee." Our search for a good picture location led us to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The area is beautiful, complete with green recreational areas, a walking/jogging path, restrooms, and great views of the Chattahoochee. We were able to get the pictures we needed, and even wave at a group of teenagers floating down the river on inner tubes. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a great place to escape the city and enjoy nature.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Roslyn O. 4 years ago on Google
    Peaceful and memorable especially going with the family

  • 5/5 Maurice Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful view of the river. Well kept .Nice picnic area! Fishing and abilty to see people on boats riding by! Few hiking trails!

  • 5/5 Shirley D. 2 years ago on Google
    Bought my LIFETIME National parks pass! Hey, SENIORS, check it out! This is a lovely spot I expect to see often. Delightful staff.

  • 5/5 Antonio R. 2 years ago on Google
    The most beautiful park in Metro Atlanta to hike and enjoy the view of the Chattahoochee river.

  • 4/5 Tim V. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun times! Some areas require patients to park.

  • 5/5 Hilary M. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful with a variety of trails through hills and along river... enjoyable and not strenuous.

  • 5/5 Andreas B. 2 years ago on Google
    I got great exercise on the trails!

  • 5/5 Don K. 2 years ago on Google
    We took a great kayak ride down the river today and even on a hot day, there is some great shade. There are a few outfitters that offer kayak rides as well as a return bus ride to your car.

  • 5/5 Tricie B. 2 years ago on Google
    For me, it was quite the hike but I am not in the best health. With that being said, I was able to do it so it's an easy hike across the bridge and up to the waterfall. It was beautiful and peaceful listening to the cascading water. I'd absolutely go again. I tried to add photos but I guess that feature is temporarily unavailable...🤷🏽‍♀️

  • 5/5 jiamei s. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice quiet area even during the winter time. Enjoy it!

  • 4/5 Bobbi G. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit after living on the other side of the river for a quarter century. I enjoyed the river trail there too, though partially flooded. I was impressed with the trail loops back to the parking, though a small park. I am thankful for all the other parks along the 'hooch as well.

  • 5/5 Willi K. 2 years ago on Google
    wow the East Palisades, North Loop and Bamboo Forest is amazing. so beautiful along the river

  • 5/5 Glue G. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice hiking. Not much at the ranger station.

  • 5/5 TK 1 year ago on Google
    A variety of trails for any length of walk you want. Rocky and rooty but minimal elevation here. Easy hiking for those looking for minimal effort. There is what passes for a restroom

  • 5/5 Nils P. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to relax and decompress. There are many sections and each area has its own appeal. The main trail is usually busy with people. Side trails are usually less crowded and it is easy to forget that you are in the middle of a big city with highways close by.

  • 5/5 Margaret A. 9 months ago on Google
    There is some magic to those place-the only place my family has ever been to hike and nobody complained once! Beautiful rock formations and replete with natives trees, shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Beware of unleashed dogs.

  • 5/5 Brian H. 10 months ago on Google
    One of the most relaxing places for me. Is next to some

  • 5/5 Robby S. 9 months ago on Google
    Great place to just go and explore. Went with the school and released some trout, explored the trails and the creek, and even learned a little about fly fishing. Just a great way to spend a Saturday morning.

  • 5/5 Brenda S. 8 months ago on Google
    Great quick getaway to make u feel you're a lil remote bt near city of Atl. Very clean, parking fee, shade for parking & bike rental to ride paved bike trail w/river view I was told by guy on bike rental bc I didnt rent bike

  • 5/5 Sean A. 8 months ago on Google
    This is a great place to get away from the city while not leaving the city. The park has several excellent walking and multi use trails. The park staff is also very friendly and hardworking. I highly encourage everyone to enjoy the experience this place can offer, especially on a cold morning near the river as the fog rolls along!

  • 5/5 Billy B. 6 months ago on Google
    Beautiful National park site right in the heart of the city! Amazing trails, fishing, kayaking and swimming in the summer. Endless beauty and nature to retreat to in the hustle and bustle of ATL.

  • 4/5 Susan H. 7 months ago on Google
    Nice beautiful outdoor recreational area located in Sandy Springs outside of Atlanta. Kind of a small park and not much to do here but is a nice spot to get a way to for the day and relax along the water. Be fore warned it is a steep climbing down and up, so don't recommend taking elderly parents and/or those with accessible needs to the park. The visitor center is quite small and they do have restrooms inside the center.

  • 5/5 Serafina B. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice trails, not too crowded! Pet friendly!

  • 3/5 Palak S. 3 years ago on Google
    It good one time visit place. You can go, eat, have some photos. There are some trails also.

  • 5/5 Jason H. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful Park

  • 5/5 Mohammad J. 3 years ago on Google
    Perfect always

  • 5/5 Avid R. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful!!

  • 4/5 Charles h. 3 years ago on Google
    Hard to find, rangers were helpful.

  • 5/5 vidal l. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I loved this place (Original) Me encantó este lugar

  • 4/5 Pratul P. 3 years ago on Google
    Peace full

  • 5/5 Scott S. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful

  • 5/5 Tim S. 3 years ago on Google
    The hiking trails generously track along the Chattahoochee River. We just took the trails and the river was very swollen apparently from the past run off of rain water from tropical storm Delta. This was a Friday and very few people were on the trail. It's quite pretty Crossing streams with little waterfalls

  • 5/5 crazedmimic 3 years ago on Google
    Came for the trail. Well maintained and easy to walk path. This trail is extremely wide. Not the parks probably but you find that a lot of people do not wear masks.

  • 5/5 Zachary H. 3 years ago on Google
    Great walking trail, if you come here often buy a annual pass is recommended.

  • 4/5 Ken A. 4 years ago on Google
    Great hike, close to Atlanta, not hard. Relaxing but some outdoors fresh air and along the river.

  • 5/5 James H. 5 years ago on Google
    Very pretty day, little humidity, sunshine and temps in the low 70s. No bugs and a higher river. Are we really here? Walked about 4 miles more fallen trees than normal but soo much was good.

  • 5/5 Alysa J. 4 years ago on Google
    Such a cool place, I love the endless trails, and beauty, and you can find things you've never seen before😍

  • 5/5 Kofi M D. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to bond with nature and simply BE yourself and don't do anything 🙏🏾🙏❤✌🏽!

  • 5/5 jermari a. 3 years ago on Google
    Some of the best fishing in the Atlanta area and the walking trails are amazing

  • 3/5 Blake H. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing place! I love the endless trails, and beauty of natures.

  • 4/5 ricardo h. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Hi friends, I hope everyone is well and if you are looking for a place near the Atlanta metropolitan area, this will undoubtedly be a great place to go with the family, of course if you bring children, wear your life jackets since you will surely want to enter the river, and if you like walking through the forest also offers a trail that's great for walking and touring, so here is another option to enjoy (Original) Hola amigos espero estén bien todos y si andan buscando un lugar cerca del área metropolitana de Atlanta este sin duda será un lugar genial para ir con la familia claro si llevan niños lleven sus chalecos salvavidas ya que seguro querrán entrar al río , y si les gusta caminar entre el bosque también ofrece un trail que está muy bueno para caminar y recorrer , así que aquí hay otra opción para disfrutar

  • 5/5 Meg S. 4 years ago on Google
    Well maintained trails and the river is gorgeous

  • 5/5 Bob R. 4 years ago on Google
    Great hiking and river recreation close to Atlanta metro area.

  • 5/5 Peter B. S. 3 years ago on Google
    Well maintained. Beautiful forest. Check the website, but for now it's is free, due to Covid.

  • 5/5 Rob D. 4 years ago on Google
    Love the hooch.

  • 5/5 David H. 4 years ago on Google
    One of my favorite places in the world. You can't go wrong at any of the parks on the hooch🤘🏼

  • 5/5 Hilary T. 4 years ago on Google
    A gem in our backyard

  • 5/5 Jesús D. G. 4 years ago on Google
    Good

  • 5/5 Rogelio Gutiérrez C. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent park!

  • 5/5 Logan p. 4 years ago on Google
    It was cold also geese

  • 5/5 Juan O. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful park.

  • 4/5 S J. 3 years ago on Google
    Great 👍

  • 5/5 Chef In Los A. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing river

  • 5/5 SJ P. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice

  • 5/5 Richard L. 3 years ago on Google
    great park

  • 5/5 Hoya K. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Not far from midtown There is a resort like this!! It rained a lot and the water was a little cloudy People who ride in running water Viking people Jogging, people walking People eating like me This is where you get comfortable! Chatafuchi Coffee Factory No outsiders are accepted (Original) 미드타운에서 멀지 않은 곳에 이런 휴양지가 있다니!! 비가 많이 와서 물이 조금 탁했지만 흐르는 물을 타고 노니는 사람들 바이킹하는 사람들 조깅, 산책하는 사람들 저처럼 먹고 있는 사람들 편안해 지는 곳이네요! 차타후치 커피 팩토리는 주민들 외에 외부인은 안받네요

  • 5/5 Kun B. L. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice view for watching river.


Call +1 678-538-1273 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Morgan Falls Overlook Park image
1
Morgan Falls Overlook Park
Park
Family-oriented park featuring expansive playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas & river views.
4.70 (3.2K reviews)
Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area image
2
Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National reserve
Peaceful riverside park offering a range of trails plus rafting, fishing & other activities.
4.80 (1.2K reviews)
Denver Downs image
3
Denver Downs
Farm
😐 Cute farm with lots of games and entertainment for kids, but at nearly $25 per person over 3 it’s quite pricey! Hot dogs are $6.50 and burgers $8! Corn maze pumpkins and mums in the fall, just be prepared to pay! Can’t feed or pet the farm animals either, torture for children
4.40 (1.1K reviews)
Abernathy Greenway Park North image
4
Abernathy Greenway Park North
Park
Linear city park with artsy play structures, a pavilion, picnic tables & public restrooms.
4.60 (955 reviews)
East Palisades Unit - Indian Trail image
5
East Palisades Unit - Indian Trail
Hiking area
Popular hiking area with a scenic, 3.4-mile trail through a dense woodland, plus a bamboo forest.
4.70 (654 reviews)
Last updated:
()