The majestic Chattahoochee River straddles the lower half of the Georgia-Alabama border, as well as part of the Georgia-Florida border. Running 430 miles, it originates from the mountains of North Georgia and flows into the Apalachicola River to the south. Throughout its span, the river is controlled by 13 dams that provide hydroelectric power to various communities in the area.
The river cuts across Georgia and divides several counties, including Cobb County and Fulton County. It runs through the Atlanta metropolitan area, including northern suburban communities like Buckhead, East Cobb, Vinings, and others.
North of Atlanta is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a national park that covers a 48-mile stretch of the river and over 10,400 acres of preserved land and chain of parks. The area provides numerous recreational opportunities as well as access to historic sites surrounding the river.
If you’re planning to explore the Chattahoochee River, the national park is a great place to start.
These are just some of the things that you can see and do here:
Hiking
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area features several trails along the river’s banks. A combination of paved and raw paths, these picturesque trails will take you through hills, creeks, and forests, as well as fascinating historic relics. The most popular trails in the area include:- Sope Creek Trail The trail meanders along the banks of a stony creek and leads to the stone ruins of an old paper mill from the Civil War era and a tranquil reflective pond.
- East Palisades Trail This dog-friendly trail lies along the Palisades section of the Chattahoochee River, which features whitewater rapids and stunning rock slab formations. There are two trails in the Palisades area. The East Palisades Trail will take you to elevated overlooks with amazing views, a small bamboo forest, and historic ruins. The West Palisades Trail features three miles of paved path along the westarn bank of the river.
- Cochran Shoal Trail One of the most popular tails in Atlanta, the Cochran Shoal Trail is a level paved path that’s perfect for hikers, runners, and bikers. The trail will take you along the scenic banks of the Chattahoochee and into fascinating marshes and woodlands.