Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) preserves a series of sites between Atlanta and Lake Sidney Lanier along the Chattahoochee River in Georgia, U.S. The 48-mile (77 km) stretch of the river affords public recreation opportunities and access to historic sites. The national recreation area, a National Park Service unit, was established on August 15, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter.
The park headquarters and visitor center are located at the Island Ford Unit of the park, at 1978 Island Ford Parkway in Sandy Springs, Georgia. The Chattahoochee River is a stocked trout stream with 23 species of game fish. Year-round fishing is available with a Georgia fishing license and a trout stamp.
In 2012, the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area was designated as the Chattahoochee River Water Trail to become the first river named a National Water Trail. The National Water Trails System was created by the U.S. Department of the Interior to increase access to water-based outdoor recreation, encourage community stewardship of local waterways, and promote tourism.
Cochran Shoals is the largest and most popular unit of the park, featuring a 3-mile (4.8 km) fitness trail, suitable for walking/jogging/biking, which is wheelchair-accessible and is excellent for bird- and wildlife-watching. The historic Marietta Paper Mill ruins along Sope Creek are preserved within the Sope Creek unit of the area. The Akers Mill ruins along Rottenwood Creek are found within the West Palisades unit. Steep rock cliffs rise from the river's flood plain in the East Palisades unit of the park.
Power's Island was named for James Power (1790–1870). In 1835, he established Power's ferry on the Chattahoochee River, connecting what is now Sandy Springs to Cobb County. Power's Ferry, now spelled Powers Ferry, was used by units of General William Sherman's army in July 1864. The ferry was eventually replaced by a bridge, which was built in 1903.
The Vickery Creek unit preserves a rugged and scenic stretch of Vickery Creek (also known as Big Creek) from Grimes Bridge Road to its mouth at the Chattahoochee River. The ruins of Ivy Mill, which was a wool mill that produced fabric for Confederate soldiers, are located in this unit along with the historic Allenbrook House. Ivy Mill was destroyed by the Union Army in 1864, and the women factory workers were sent North for the duration of the war. The Allenbrook House, completed in 1857, was the home and office of the manager of Ivy Mill.
From the Vickery Creek Unit, pedestrians can use sidewalks and spur trails for convenient access to Chattahoochee River Park (a Roswell Recreation and Parks/Fulton County park), Riverside Park, Don White Memorial Park, Willeo Creek Park on the Cobb County line, Waller Park on Hog Wallow Creek, and the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Roswell Mill can be accessed via a spur trail and covered bridge that crosses the creek at the site of the Roswell Mill Machine Shop, which was built in 1853 and is the only original building left standing of the 1839 Roswell Manufacturing Company. The Roswell Mill building currently left standing was built in 1882 and is now used as an office complex.
The Chattahoochee River itself is one of Georgia's premier trout streams. It also offers picturesque areas for boating, canoeing, and rafting. It is very popular in the summer months for visitors to rent tubes and float from Powers Island to Paces Mill.
United States Park Rangers patrol the 48 miles (77 km) of river and 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) of land units with patrol vehicles, jet-powered boats, kayaks, and mountain bikes. They also hike the trails on foot. Rangers enforce park regulations as well as Georgia criminal and traffic codes, and are authorized to carry firearms and make arrests.
In 2014, the CRNRA was given the Award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by the Georgia Environmental Education Association – an affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | PALISADES UNIT
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | ISLAND FORD UNIT
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | PALISADES CANOE LAUNCH
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | RIVER TRIPS BY SECTION
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | BOWMANS ISLAND BOAT RAMP
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | VICKERY CREEK UNIT
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | Find Your Park
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | VISITOR CENTER
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area - Missing NPF
Roswell CVB | Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
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Mar 10, 2021 · An Ancient River In A Modern City. 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.
Apr 15, 2022 · At Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area you can float, fish, or play in 48 miles of river as it flows through the northern suburbs of Atlanta. Use your land legs as you explore one of the 15 land units strung like emeralds along the river.
Feb 23, 2022 · Palisades (west of river) - Akers Drive and Paces Mill (PDF, 885 KB, updated October 2020) The files on this page are in Portable Document Format (PDF) and require the free Adobe Reader. Get Adobe Reader Now!
Feb 3, 2021 · The 48 miles of river and 15 land units that make up the park can keep you busy for a whole day or just a few hours for a quick getaway from the fast pace of the city life. Click on the link or the photos below to learn more about the various activities in the park.
Feb 16, 2024 · The entrance fee you pay at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area makes a difference! Under the Federal Recreation Lands Enhancement Act, national parks keep 80% of all fees collected and use that money to fund critical projects that improve services and protect resources.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, located in Georgia, is part of the National Park Service, within the Department of the Interior. The park is made up of a 48-mile stretch of the river and over 6,000 acres of land area.
Nov 3, 2022 · Fishing for Rainbow Trout in the cold waters in the Chattahoochee River is a great way to spend the day.
Jun 13, 2024 · Water conditions on the Chattahoochee River are influenced on a daily basis by water releases from Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam. Check the Buford Dam water release schedule , or call 770-945-1466, or toll free 1-855-DAM-FLOW (1-855-326-3569).
May 12, 2021 · The Palisades Unit is located downstream of I-285and just downstream ofI-75 on both sides of the Chattahoochee River. The part described here refers to the part of the unit on the east side of the river in Fulton county. Two entrances provide land access to this unit.
Phone: 678-538-1200 Call 770-992-6585 for non-emergency law enforcement assistance for any event that does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees.
