Georgia,  Hiking

The Chattahoochee River Trails That You Shouldn’t Miss

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“Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee. It gets hotter than a hoochie coochie.” Have you heard Alan Jackson singing about the Chattahoochee River? I don’t know what a hoochie coochie is but I do know that Atlanta gets hotter than that in the summer! Atlantans flock to the river in the hottest months of the year to “shoot the hooch”, to go tubing down the river. Floating down the river isn’t the only thing that attracts people to the Chattahoochee though.

The National Park Service runs the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), a 48 mile stretch of the river just north of Atlanta. Within this stretch on both sides of the river there are 66 miles of official Chattahoochee river trails. They are divided into 10 units or groupings of trails.

Over the past year I have been busy checking out as many places to hike near Atlanta as possible. Time and again my days out hiking have led me back to the Chattahoochee. Hiking the Chattahoochee trails is the perfect way to get out of the city, be active and enjoy the great outdoors. Not only are they some of the closest trails to Atlanta, but also some of the nicest. Each trail is a mix of inland wooded trails and riverside trails. Below are the best Chattahoochee hiking trails near Atlanta and the highlights of each one.

Chattahoochee River Trails General Information

Chattahoochee River

Before delving into the best Chattahoochee River trails, here is some general information about the recreation area and all the trails. As mentioned above the CRNRA has 10 units* (groupings of trails). Each unit has one to four hiking areas, each having one official trail. For each area the “one” trail is technically more than one trail and has multiple different segments. Some trails have more than others, but each one typically has numerous trail intersections where you can choose different paths. For example Palisades is a unit with two areas, West Palisades and East Palisades, with multiple trail segments within each one. The total miles I list for every hike is if you walk on every single segment one time. 

*everywhere I looked a different number of units was given, even on the National Park Service website. 

Opening Hours

The trails open 30 minutes before sunrise and close 30 minutes after sunset every day of the year.

When to Hike

The Chattahoochee hikes are great year-round. Most of them are shaded so they aren’t too hot in the summer. Be aware that after it rains the trails can become quite muddy. Weekends tend to be busier than weekdays.

Fees & Parking

Parking costs $5 per vehicle. It is valid for one day at any of the sites for everyone in the vehicle. You need to purchase a parking pass online or at the Island Ford Visitor Center. Unless you are hiking the Island Ford trail, buy the pass online. It saves time to buy the pass ahead of time, but you can also scan the QR code at every trail head. Alternatively you can buy a Chattahoochee River Annual Pass for $40.

The America the Beautiful pass is another option if you plan to visit several national land areas including the CRNRA within one year. It is $80 for the year. There are other discounts as well such as the lifetime senior pass for $80.

Note that the passes do not guarantee parking. Most of the parking lots are pretty small. When hiking on the weekends or busy days there may be a chance that a parking lot is full. Despite arriving to most hikes early to mid-afternoon on weekend days, we have always been able to get parking. Sometimes there were only a couple of spots left though. Put the coordinates listed below for each hike into Google maps for directions to the parking lots.

Difficulty

Trail difficulty is very subjective. If you are someone who can’t walk two blocks all the hikes will be difficult. Someone who just climbed Mt. Everest will find the hikes very easy. Therefore I am not going to assign a difficulty to each one, but describe the terrain as much as possible so you can decide for yourself.

In general I find the hikes to be easy – moderate. The majority of the trails are unpaved. Some areas are quite rocky and require you to watch your step. Occasionally you will need to step on rocks to cross small streams or climb over a fallen tree. Other areas have steep inclines. On the maps where the terrain lines are close together you can expect more elevation gain.

Trail Maps & Markers

Chattahoochee River Map

I’m a pretty good map reader if I do say so myself. I’m not one of those millennials who is instantly lost without Google. That being said I have found that many parks and hiking trails around the country have less than stellar maps and trail signs. Even the best map reader can end up on the wrong trail.

On the other hand the Chattahoochee trail maps actually match the trails. When hiking you don’t need to have a map with you because at every trail junction there is a numbered marker with a map.  Each trail marker has the trail name initials. For example the Sope Creek trail in the Column Shoals unit will all have SC on the signs. This can come in handy in the areas where there is more than one trail connected. There is also a number alongside the trail initials. You can easily find where you are on the map and if you have basic skills of reading a map and left and right then it’s easy to follow your path from marker to marker. Some areas where the trail turns or it is unclear look for the blue painted rectangles on the trees. They point you in the correct direction. 

Trail Recognition

While writing this post I discovered that if you keep track of all the trails you hike, and once all 66 miles are completed, you can submit a form to the Chattahoochee National Park Conservatory. They will recognize you and give you an annual membership! If you know me I love planning and keeping meticulous notes of things I have done so I am quite tempted to complete this goal!  

Biking

The majority of the trails are for hikers or runners only. Some select trails (noted below) are multi-use for both bikers and hikers.

Pets

Pets are allowed on all trails, but must be on a leash at all times. I was going to write dogs, but I have seen someone walking their cat on a leash in Atlanta so if the Chattahoochee doesn’t discriminate what pet you bring, neither will I!

Where to Eat

There are no restaurants or food for purchase available within the national park grounds. Use the maps in my Atlanta restaurant guide and Atlanta BBQ guide to find places to eat before or after hiking.

The Best Chattahoochee River Trails

Palisades

EAST PALISADES TRAIL

East Palisades Trail

BEST FOR RIVER VIEWS & A BAMBOO FOREST

The East Palisades trail is one of the most scenic and closest to Atlanta. It’s no surprise that it is one of the busiest trails in the Chattahoochee. There are several trail intersections and different directions you can choose to hike. The trail from the Whitewater parking lot to the overlook along the river is the busiest. The overlook does have a beautiful view, but it can become crowded with lots of people. Along the trail before reaching the overlook there are many spots to admire the water as well. Well the brown water in the river isn’t always the prettiest, but there are still nice views.

After the overlook the traffic seems to thin out a bit. Not as many people are on the inner paths. There is some elevation gain within the segments, especially the more inland ones as well as some rocky parts. The highlight of the hike and what sets this hike apart from the other Chattahoochee trails is the bamboo forest (marker EP 26). With 30 foot bamboo trees I was hoping to see a panda, but no such luck.

Trail Miles: 5.57 (we did about 5.4 miles walking to the overlook, the bamboo forest and back to the Whitewater parking lot on an inner trail)

Bathrooms: Sadly, no

Parking: Whitewater Creek Parking Lot (33.877757, -84.441879) and Indian Trail Parking Lot (33.884261, -84.436902). Parking here can fill up quickly. Both are great launching points for your hike, but we chose the Whitewater lot because it is slightly bigger. The Indian Trail parking lot is at the top of a hill so there is more incline going to and from this lot.

WEST PALISADES TRAIL

West Palisades Trail

BEST FOR A QUICK DRIVE FROM ATLANTA 

The first half mile or so of the trail from the Paces Mill parking lot is paved and is for bikers and hikers. It’s much busier than the rest of the trails. It seemed like after this portion everyone disappeared and we hardly saw anyone else for the rest of the hike. There’s not quite as many trail options here, other than the main one through the hardwood forest and a shorter one along the water that eventually dead ends.

The river trail runs close along the water and offers some scenic views. Several rocky bluff overlooks also allow for beautiful views. A few moderately steep inclines make hiking here a little more challenging especially in the heat of the summer. It helps that the entire trail is shaded.

Trail Miles: 4.86 (we did about 3.5 miles to about WP 8 from the Paces Mill Parking lot, with some additional walking on the riverside segments)

Bathrooms: Yes, at the Paces Mill parking lot and close to the Ackers Drive parking lot.

Parking: Paces Mill Main Parking Lot (33.870198, -84.453659) and Ackers Drive Parking Lot (33.891571, -84.444711)

Cochran Shoals

The Cochran Shoals trails have the best of everything. Whether you are looking for shorter, family friendly hikes on flat ground or more challenging, steeper wooded hikes away from the crowds, Cochran Shoals has it. They also have multi-use trails, both flat gravel ones for easier recreational biking and steeper, curving trails for the adventurous mountain bikers. There are long stretches next to the water for peaceful river views and many trails through the woodlands, wetlands and marshes.

POWERS ISLAND

Powers Island

BEST FOR A QUICK HIKE ALONG THE WATER

For a shorter hike along the Chattahoochee head to Powers Island. There are two main points to start from the parking lot that form a loop. There is an additional loop within the loop and a trail that runs along the water a little further and then dead ends. The trail that runs along the water is the busiest. The many places to get off the trail and stand near the water make this one of the most relaxing hikes.

The additional loop has a bit of an incline. We did it twice, going from PL 7 to PL 6 felt much steeper than the reverse. The trail in general and especially this loop is not quite as popular as the other Chattahoochee hikes, especially the other Cochran Shoals trails. 

Another super short trail from the parking lot goes across a bridge to the boating dock of the river. With a couple of benches along the water it is the perfect spot to watch the sunset. There appeared to be another unofficial trail from here that makes a small loop of the island. 

Trail Miles: 1.54 (we did the entire trail two times)

Bathrooms: Yes, in the parking lot.

Parking: Powers Island Parking Lot (33.904079, -84.442122)

INTERSTATE NORTH

Interstate North

BEST FOR FLAT TRAILS FOR BOTH HIKERS & BIKERS

Directly across the river from Powers Island is the Interstate North section of Cochran Shoals. It’s one of the busiest trail sections of the recreation area. Coming from most locations in Atlanta the parking lot here is a little quicker to reach than the Columns Drive parking lot. While you can walk on the trail for about 2 miles between the two parking lots, the driving distance is 7.5 miles. Be aware that the parking lot can fill up quickly.

One of the reasons Interstate North is one of the most popular trails is due to the wide multi-use gravel trail that runs along the water for about 2 miles and then loops back on a parallel trail for another mile. Altogether it makes ~3 mile roundtrip hike or bike ride. The trail is full of families, runners, people walking their dogs, and cyclists. It’s a great place for a family friendly hike that is flat, easy and not too long. It’s not paved, but could be doable with a stroller or wheelchair.

You can continue walking on the multi-use trail for the entire length or you can veer off to the left after .5 miles on a short boardwalk trail over some wetlands. The trail turns into a network of only dirt hiking trails. I didn’t find this area to be busy at all. See if the tiny door I spotted is still alongside one of the trails. It isn’t one of Atlanta’s official tiny doors, but still a fun find on the trail. At marker CS 22 there is a nice opening and view of the woodlands and marshes below.

You can walk to both the Columns Drive and Sope Creeks trails from Interstate North.

Trail Miles: 4.87 (we did 6.7 miles in Interstate North & Columns Drive)

Bathrooms: Yes, in the parking lot.

Parking: Interstate North Parking Lot (33.902723, -84.444451)

COLUMNS DRIVE

Columns Drive

BEST FOR WINDING TRAILS 

You can park directly at Columns Drive or walk from Sope Creek or Interstate North. As most of the trails are for both biking & hiking it is not the best choice for hikers. The wider trails and some of the narrower woodsy ones allow bikers to bike both ways. Other trails require bikers to go one way. On these trails you will find a lot of mountain bikers. I recommend going the opposite way as the bikers so you can see them coming and have time to jump off the trail. When the bikers are going downhill they come at you pretty fast and out of nowhere. It’s not the best for a relaxing, secluded hike, but I actually found it fun to have to quickly get off the trail. It can get old quickly when you are doing it for a couple of miles though.

The path along Terrell Mill Creek is nice. You can continue on to Sope Creek or Interstate North for more hiking only paths.

Trail Miles: 6.59 (we did 6.7 miles in Interstate North & Columns Drive)

Bathrooms: Yes, in the parking lot.

Parking: Columns Drive Parking Lot (33.92159, -84.439441)

SOPE CREEK

Sope Creek

BEST FOR CIVIL WAR PAPER MILL RUINS

Sope Creek is full of meandering trails. As with the other two Cochran Shoals areas on the west side of the river, there are both multi-use and hiker only trails. There are more hiker only trails here and the many trail options help to spread people out. If it wasn’t for the well marked trails you could easily feel lost in the woods in some places here. Walking around Silbley pond is your best bet for spotting some wildlife.

My favorite part of the trail is the castle ruins along the river. Ok, it’s actually an old Paper Mill that was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War, but it is fun to pretend it is a castle! Taking pictures and climbing around the ruins add some variety to the hike as well. With some large rocks along the river it’s also a great spot to watch the water. The ruins are around the SC 27 marker.

Trail Miles: 6.64 (we started in Interstate North and walked on the multi-use path all the way through to Columns Drive where we then continued on to Sope Creek and did a big loop to the ruins. Once back at the Interstate North parking lot we had completed about 9.36 miles)

Bathrooms: No (walk to Columns Drive parking lot for a bathroom)

Parking: Sope Creek Parking Lot (33.937967, -84.443341)

Island Ford

ISLAND FORD SOUTH

ISLAND FORD SOUTH

BEST FOR FAMILIES AND WALKS ALONG THE RIVER

Island Ford is home to the only visitor center in the CRNRA. Rangers are in the visitor center and happy to answer questions and provide information. When entering you walk through a small room that has information on the area as well. If you want to buy a day or year pass in person this is the only place to do it. The visitor center is open daily (except December 25th) from 9am – 5pm.

The hike itself begins with a small network of trails close to the visitor center. It then continues on one main path beside the river where you will find several large rock clusters that are believed to be former caves. After about .2 miles you can choose to continue along the water or take the inland route. A 1.3 mile loop will take you from one trail to the other or you can continue on for a different, smaller loop. Another .4 mile trail veers off to the left to another parking lot. From this parking lot continuing on to Island Ford North is possible.

Overall this seemed like one of the busier Chattahoochee hikes, especially for the more inland trails. There isn’t as wide of a network as some other places so it isn’t as easy to “get lost” or away from other hikers. The inland path is steeper, but the path along the water has very little elevation gain. I feel like this is one of the most popular hikes for families as I saw more children here than any of the other hikes I have done.

Trail Miles: 5.31 total for Island Ford South & North (We did 6.89 walking from the Island Ford South parking lot all the way to the far loop in Island Ford North and back)

Bathrooms: Yes, at the visitor’s center. They are the nicest of all the bathrooms along the Chattahoochee!

Parking: Hewitt Lodge Parking Lot (33.98708, -84.325527) – this is the main lot with the visitor center. You pass a couple smaller lots before arriving at this one. Hewlett Pond Parking Lot (33.988788, -84.325319) Island Ferry Parking Lot (33.995113, -84.332382) – this lot is in the north end and close to Island Ford North.

ISLAND FORD NORTH

Island Ford North

BEST FOR A SHORT LOOP HIKE

Island Ford North starts out with a mile hike that does not have any other junctions. Then there is a .60 mile loop that has an extra trail that veers off and dead ends in .10 miles. There is some up and down, but nothing too strenuous or difficult. The hike is perfect for anyone looking for a short hike or hiking with children. You can make the hike longer by continuing on to Island Ford South. 

Trail Miles: 5.31 total for Island Ford South & North (We did 6.89 walking from the Island Ford parking lot all the way to the far loop in Island Ford North and back)

Bathrooms: No (bathrooms at the Island Ford South visitor center)

Parking: Island Ferry Parking Lot (33.995113, -84.332382) – technically it is in Island Ford South, but this is where the trailhead is located.

Lace up your hiking boots and head on up to the Chattahoochee! As much as I love Atlanta, it’s great to escape the city once in awhile and do some Chattahoochee River hiking. 

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