Alert: Park Unit Closures Post-Hurricane Helene

National Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River

Two adult Great Blue Herons stand watch over their 3 young chicks in the nest.
Great Blue Herons are plentyful along the river. Look towards the tree tops along the river to spot their nest. If you're lucky the whole will be home. NPS Photo/Tom Wilson

Overview

Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up, or have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon. Get Outdoors and experience your Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as you have never done before.

State: GA678-538-1200

Hours

  • Sunday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Monday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Tuesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Thursday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Friday: Sunrise to Sunset
  • Saturday: Sunrise to Sunset

Fees & Passes

  • Entrance - Per Person:  5.00

    Required for visitors age 16+ entering on foot or by bicycle. Valid for one day.


  • Entrance - Private Vehicle:  5.00

    Private vehicle pass admits one private vehicle and its occupants for one day.


  • Entrance - Motorcycle:  5.00

    Valid for one motorcycle and its occupant(s) for one day.


Map

Things To Do

Category

6 Results
    Hiking trail through a lush forest.

    Exploring Palisades East

    $

    Description

    Welcome to the eastern half of the Palisades Unit. There are few places better than the Palisades visit a rock shelter, view the shoals, or enjoy the river first hand.

    More info

    Fees

    Daily Park Pass - $5.00 A Daily Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in a designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one day. You may purchase a Daily Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. Valid America The Beautiful Passes are also valid for parking in the park. Annual Park Pass - $40.00 The Annual Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in any designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one year. You may purchase an Annual Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. A valid America The Beautiful Pass are is also valid for parking in the park America the Beautiful Pass A valid America the Beautiful pass is acceptable for entrance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Display it in your vehicle as you would a CRNRA Daily Pass or an CRNRA Annual Pass.

    Pet FriendlyTime:1-6 Hours
    Inscription reads "Junior Park Ranger" & "Chattahoochee River NRA" on typical Junior Ranger badge.

    Be A CHAT Junior Ranger

    $

    Description

    by the Island Ford Visitor Center to pick up your Junior Ranger Booklet and get to work on becoming the next park's Junior Ranger.

    More info

    Fees

    Daily Park Pass - $5.00 A Daily Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in a designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one day. You may purchase a Daily Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. Valid America The Beautiful Passes are also valid for parking in the park. Annual Park Pass - $40.00 The Annual Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in any designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one year. You may purchase an Annual Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. A valid America The Beautiful Pass are is also valid for parking in the park America the Beautiful Pass A valid America the Beautiful pass is acceptable for entrance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Display it in your vehicle as you would a CRNRA Daily Pass or an CRNRA Annual Pass.

    Pet FriendlyAges:5Time:1-3 Hours
    Monarch butterfly on a yellow flower

    Exploring Gold Branch

    $

    Description

    Escape the crowds with a short drive to Gold Branch in east Cobb County. Hike down to Bull Sluice Lake to wet a line or have a picnic in the woods. If you wish, take a nice long hike to really get away from the crowds.

    More info

    Fees

    Daily Park Pass - $5.00 A Daily Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in a designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one day. You may purchase a Daily Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. Valid America The Beautiful Passes are also valid for parking in the park. Annual Park Pass - $40.00 The Annual Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in any designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one year. You may purchase an Annual Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. A valid America The Beautiful Pass are is also valid for parking in the park America the Beautiful Pass A valid America the Beautiful pass is acceptable for entrance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Display it in your vehicle as you would a CRNRA Daily Pass or an CRNRA Annual Pass.

    Pet FriendlyAges:5Time:1-6 Hours
    Hiking trail through a lush forest.

    Exploring Palisades West

    $

    Description

    Welcome to the western half of the Palisades Unit. There are few places better than the Palisades to visit a rock shelter, view the shoals, or enjoy the river first hand.

    More info

    Fees

    Daily Park Pass - $5.00 A Daily Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in a designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one day. You may purchase a Daily Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. Valid America The Beautiful Passes are also valid for parking in the park. Annual Park Pass - $40.00 The Annual Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in any designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one year. You may purchase an Annual Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. A valid America The Beautiful Pass are is also valid for parking in the park America the Beautiful Pass A valid America the Beautiful pass is acceptable for entrance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Display it in your vehicle as you would a CRNRA Daily Pass or an CRNRA Annual Pass.

    Pet FriendlyTime:1-6 Hours
    Snowy winter scene of solitary walker.

    Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop

    $

    Description

    The Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop is a true multi-use trail. You'll find mothers pushing strollers, joggers avoiding the afternoon traffic, and cyclist in their cool p-jays.

    More info

    Fees

    Pet Friendly
    Cyclist giving a thumbs up as he rides on trail with woods in the background.

    Chattahoochee Cycling

    $

    Description

    What are you waiting for? Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has bike trails to ride just outside the city. Some paved miles for people on their road bikes and some miles for the mountain bikers. Just remember to share the trails with pedestrians.

    More info

    Fees

    A Daily Park Pass, Annual Park Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass is required if you park a vehicle in the park. If you cycle to the park you will not need a pass.

    Pet Friendly

More Images

Two adult Great Blue Herons stand watch over their 3 young chicks in the nest.
Two adult Great Blue Herons stand watch over their 3 young chicks in the nest.
Park ranger showing a group of school children the critter on his arm.
Park ranger showing a group of school children the critter on his arm.
Stone ruins of the Marietta Paper Mill surrounded by lush green vegatation.
Stone ruins of the Marietta Paper Mill surrounded by lush green vegatation.
Angler in waders landing a fish using a landing net.
Angler in waders landing a fish using a landing net.
Trail heading off under a canopy of trees.
Trail heading off under a canopy of trees.