chattahoochee-river | GA | Find park

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trail heading off under a canopy of trees.

Trails along the Chattahoochee River are calling you to visit.

Physical Address:

8800 Roberts Drive

Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Mailing Address:

1978 Island Ford Parkway

Sandy Springs, GA 30350

contact-details

Phone Number: 678-538-1200 Voice
Phone Number: 770-399-8087 Fax

Email Address: chat_superintendent@nps.gov
Description: Use this email address to contact the park. Once received your email will be directed to the appropriate person to assist you. If you should know the email address of the person you wish to contact please use it.

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person: $5.00

Required for visitors age 16+ entering on foot or by bicycle. Valid for one day.

Entrance - Private Vehicle: $5.00

Private vehicle pass admits one private vehicle and its occupants for one day.

Entrance - Motorcycle: $5.00

Valid for one motorcycle and its occupant(s) for one day.

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park: $40.00

Frequent visitors may save money with an annual entrance pass. The park annual pass admits the cardholder and the other persons in a private vehicle to the park. You may purchase the pass online or in person at the Island Ford Visitor Center. America the Beautiful passes are also accepted.

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.

park designation:National Recreation Area

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Park Hours

The park lands and waters are open for visitation from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. The Island Ford Visitor Center located in historic Hewlett Lodge is open from 9 am to 5 pm seven days a week except Thanksgiving Day and December 25.

Weather Information:

Summers typically consist of long spells of warm, humid weather. Average highs are in the lower 90's and overnight lows range from the upper 60's to lower 70's. Winters are more variable with highs averaging from the mid 50's to lower 60's while the lows average in the mid 30's. Oftentimes, stretches of mild weather will alternate with cold spells. Spring and Autumn seasons are characterized by much variability from day to day and from year to year.