Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

LisaJuly 24, 2019

After exploring the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park, we headed to the north side of the Atlanta area. Anyone who has been to Atlanta know how crazy, hectic, and crowded it can feel. You will find peace, quiet, and nature at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Address and Location

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers a lot of areas to visit. We stopped by the Ford Island Visitor Contact Center at 1978 Island Ford Parkway in Sandy Spring. This is the main visitor’s center and where you can find your stamp. You can access the recreation area along almost 50 miles between Lake Lanier and Atlanta.

Cost

You can purchase a day pass for $5 at the Visitor Center or at an automated machine. This covers everyone in a non-commercial vehicle. Annual passes run $40. As always, America The Beautiful pass holders get in for free.

What to Do

We decided on a quick hike along the river to stretch our legs in between the drive and the baseball game. You’ll find tons of trails depending on where you access the park. I was amazed at how peaceful and quiet the park was. You could easily forget that you were in the middle of a jam-packed metro area.

A trail heading to the Chattahoochee River

We picked a pretty easy stretch to hike. It did have roots and a lot of uneven spots, but it was a pleasant walk. And we passed a lady who was pulling her three dogs in a wagon, so it couldn’t be too hard of a hike. I would recommend packing sunscreen and bug spray.

A waterfall near the Chattahoochee River

You can also boat or kayak, bike, or fish. Rentals are available if you don’t have your own boat or fishing equipment. You will need to provide your own bicycle. If you want to fish, you will also have to purchase a fishing license.