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National Recreation Area · Georgia

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area in Georgia. $5 per vehicle. 3 hikes listed.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Recreation Area
StateGeorgia
Entrance fee$5 per vehicle
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkGreat Smoky Mountains (124 mi)
Closest airportPDK (8 mi)
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. Photo: NPS Photo/Tom Wilson

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a national recreation area run by the National Park Service in Georgia.

In the park service’s words

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.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

  • Exploring Palisades East (1 to 6 Hours): 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.
  • Be A CHAT Junior Ranger (1 to 3 Hours): 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.
  • Exploring Palisades West (1 to 6 Hours): 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.
  • Exploring Gold Branch (1 to 6 Hours): 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.
  • Chattahoochee Cycling: 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.
  • Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop: 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.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful pass covers it.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The park lands and waters are open for visitation from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. The Island Ford Visitor Center located in historic Hewlett Lodge is open from 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week except Thanksgiving Day and December 25.

Lodging

  • Hewlett Lodge: Stop by historic Hewlett Lodge when visiting the Island Ford unit. The lodge serves as the park headquarters and visitor center.

Getting there

To find the Island Ford Visitor Center enter the physical address, 8800 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, into your GPS unit or your favorite map software. Once you have arrived at the park entrance turn onto Island Ford Parkway and follow the signs to the park headquarters.

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK) Atlanta, GA No road route 8 Regional
Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Atlanta, GA No road route 26 Large hub
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field) (CHA) Chattanooga, TN No road route 89 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • [Island Ford Visitor Center](): Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Additional services offered: Passport Cancellation Station, Jr. Ranger Books and Badges and B.A.R.K. Ranger Certificates and Badges

Weather

Summers typically consist of long spells of warm, humid weather. Average highs are in the lower 90's and overnight lows range from the upper 60's to lower 70's. Winters are more variable with highs averaging from the mid 50's to lower 60's while the lows average in the mid 30's. Oftentimes, stretches of mild weather will alternate with cold spells. Spring and Autumn seasons are characterized by much variability from day to day and from year to year.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Great Smoky Mountains, about 124 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area?

$5 per vehicle.

Where is Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area?

In Georgia. The closest airport with scheduled flights is DeKalb Peachtree Airport, about 8 miles away.

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