"Waterfowl on the river, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, 2014." by U.S. National Park Service , public domain
Chattahoochee River
National Recreation Area - Georgia
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) preserves a series of sites between Atlanta and Lake Sidney Lanier along the Chattahoochee River, Georgia, U.S. The 48-mile (77 km) stretch of the river affords public recreation opportunities and access to historic sites.
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.
Trail Map of the Island Ford North area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Island Ford South area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Island Ford Hewlett area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Johnson Ferry North area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Johnson Ferry South area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Cochran Shoals Sope Creek area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Cochran Shoals Columns Drive area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Cochran Shoals Interstate North area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Trail Map of the Cochran Shoals Powers Island area at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) in Georgia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Blue Ridge Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of the Chattooga River Ranger District of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (NF) in Georgia. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Statewide Bike Map of Georgia. Published by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).
https://www.nps.gov/chat/index.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattahoochee_River_National_Recreation_Area
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) preserves a series of sites between Atlanta and Lake Sidney Lanier along the Chattahoochee River, Georgia, U.S. The 48-mile (77 km) stretch of the river affords public recreation opportunities and access to historic sites.
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.
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.
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.
Island Ford Visitor Center
The Island Ford Visitor Center is located in the historic Hewlett Lodge. Here you will be able to purchase your Annual Park Pass as well as any of the passes in the America The Beautiful series. While there pick up maps, obtain the latest information on the park, or pick up a souvenir from the Eastern National store.
The park is spread over a 48 mile section of the Chattahoochee River and consists of the river and 15 land units beginning downstream from Buford Dam at Lake Lanier and ending at Peachtree Creek in metro Atlanta. Check out the directions link to chart your course to one of the many units.
Family Time
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.
Look Closely
Park ranger showing a group of school children the critter on his arm.
School children from the city enjoy visiting the park on a ranger-led hike.
Marietta Paper Mill
Stone ruins of the Marietta Paper Mill surrounded by lush green vegatation.
All that is left of the Marietta Paper Mill is a few stone walls in the woods. Hike to the ruins and you'll get a closeup of Sope Creek that was harnessed by the mills.
Landing A Rainbow
Angler in waders landing a fish using a landing net.
Fishing the Chattahoochee River can be a great way to spend an afternoon out of the office or as a diversion from rush hour traffic.
Inviting Trail
Trail heading off under a canopy of trees.
Trails along the Chattahoochee River are calling you to visit.
NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia
Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park.
river running through rocky shoals
2014 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients
Introducing the national and regional recipients of the 2014 Freeman Tilden Awards, given in recognition of new and innovative programs in interpretation.
Two rangers holding a whale skull
Changing Patterns of Water Availability May Change Vegetation Composition in US National Parks
Across the US, changes in water availability are altering which plants grow where. These changes are evident at a broad scale. But not all areas experience the same climate in the same way, even within the boundaries of a single national park. A new dataset gives park managers a valuable tool for understanding why vegetation has changed and how it might change in the future under different climate-change scenarios.
Green, orange, and dead grey junipers in red soil, mountains in background
Judy Forte
As a child growing up in the South during the 1950s and 1960s, Judy Forte’s life was heavily influenced by the US civil rights movement. She was only 11 years old when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Four decades later she became the first African American woman superintendent at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park—and she's not done yet.
Close up of Judy Forte wearing her NPS ranger flat hat.
Wadeable Stream Monitoring at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Wadeable stream habitat monitoring was conducted in May 2021 at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Three people measuring a stream bank.
My Park Story: Sylvia Touchstone
Meet Sylvia, a Mosaics in Science intern at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Read her park story to learn how visiting parks with her family led to her to researching woody debris in the Cuyahoga River.
A woman kayaking on a lake.
Shaping the System Under President Jimmy Carter
President Jimmy Carter oversaw one of the largest growths in the National Park System. Explore some of the parks that are part of the legacy of the presidency of Jimmy Carter, who served as the 39th president of the United States from January 20, 1977, to January 20, 1981.
Historic photo of Jimmy Carter walking through a crowd at Harpers Ferry
Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service
To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation.
A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera.
Project Profile: Landscape Stewardship Corps Pre-Apprenticeship Program
In collaboration with the Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation, the Historic Preservation Training Center is launching the Traditional Trades Advancement Program-Landscape Stewardship Corps, a nationwide internship program aimed at inspiring youth. The program focuses on providing hands-on experiences and training in cultural landscape preservation, preparing the next generation to become stewards of the National Park Service.
Two people working with seeds
Guide to the National Parks Conservation Assocation (NPCA) Southeast Region Collection
This finding aid describes the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) Southest Region Collection, part of the NPS History Collection.
Landscape Stewardship Corps
The Landscape Stewardship Corps, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Conservation Experience, is composed of 35 interns at 19 National Park sites.
A young intern smiles with a hard hat and goggles on under a branch
Project Profile: A Strategic Approach to Building Forest Resiliency in Southeast Parks
The National Park Service is addressing the climate change vulnerability of southeast park ecosystems.
Fall-colored trees on a mountain slope. A tree is in the right-side foreground.