Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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Official page of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. Today the river attracts us for different reasons.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a series of parklands along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River--a place rich in natural and human history, each influenced by the river's pervasive force. Usually clear, cold, and slow-moving, the river sometimes plunges as a muddy torrent through its rockbound shoals. For centuries people have been drawn to the river for food and transportation and for power to sustain the mills, factories and homes built along its banks. People come to float down the river, hike the trails along its banks, play touch football in the meadows, and simply relax. In its role as and outdoor classroom, the park promises to expand your horizons through nature walks exploring its plants and birds and the river.

09/28/2026

Attention Visitors:

The Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center at 1978 Island Ford Parkway is currently CLOSED due to a water main break. Please monitor our social media sites and website at nps.gov/chat for updates.

09/25/2026

*Update on Conditions*

The Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center at 1978 Island Ford Parkway will be open during normal business hours tomorrow, Saturday, 9/26 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. The water is still off in the building, but portable toilets will be available.

We will also have our regularly scheduled interpretive programs, which includes our Learn to Kayak program and our Jr. Angler Learn to Fish program. Both will be held at Island Ford! For more information, visit https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/events. Thank you for your patience!

09/23/2026

It’s fall, y’all! 🍂🦇

We’re getting excited to enjoy the cooler autumnal evenings, including this Thursday night at our Columns Drive twilight bat walk.

Join us tomorrow, 9/24 starting at 7:00 pm to learn about bats of the Chattahoochee (like this tri-colored bat) and why these little critters are such a valuable part of our lives. And if we're lucky, we'll see some bats taking flight for their evening meal!

Learn more and register at https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/events

09/19/2026

Don't forget to dust off those telescopes and join us for our International Observe the Moon Night! We will be hosting a viewing party and campfire program tonight from 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center!

Can't make it? No worries! We will have an awesome guided Sope Creek hike tomorrow (9/20/26) with Ranger Jerry Hightower beginning at 10:30 am so that you can still enjoy the park!

For more information on upcoming programs, visit our website here: https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

For more information on how to register for these programs, visit CNPC's website here: https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/events

We'll see you at the river!

Image Credit: NASA

09/18/2026

On Saturday night, we’re going to steal (a glance at) the moon!!! 🌔🌟

Join the National Park Service in celebrating International Observe the Moon Night this Saturday at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center! We’ll have telescopes, crafts, a campfire, and more non-despicable fun. 😊

This free event will go from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Visit https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/events for more details.

Image Credit: NPS Photo

08/26/2026

"My job is just...tree." - this Park Ranger, probably.

Do you ever wonder what the day-to-day lives of different types of park rangers actually look like? It's not always just a walk in the park!

To celebrate , we proudly present 'NPS: Behind the Scenes'. Come out and join us to learn about all the different moving parts of the National Park Service at this interactive, ranger-led evening program!

This program will start at 7:00 pm, Thursday 8/27 on the patio behind the park's Visitor Center, located at 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA, 30350.

While this program is free to attend, normal entrance fees are required.

To learn more about this and other public programming, visit our website at https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/calendar.htm. We'll see you at the river!

Image Credit: NPS Photo

08/20/2026

Get ready for National Park Week! National Park Week is an annual Presidentially proclaimed celebration that encourages the public to discover the places, programs, experiences, and stories of the National Park Service. We have a full slate of events for recreation, learning, reflection, and inspiration!

Please visit chattahoocheeparks.org/events to find out more, unless otherwise noted.

August 22, Kickoff Day:
- Junior Ranger Day at Island Ford, Hewlett Lodge, 9am - 12 pm
- NPS Paddle Clean-Up with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, 8am - 1 pm (*Register with Chattahoochee Riverkeeper at chattahoochee.org)

August 23: Ranger-Guided Wildflower Walk at Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive) with NPS + Botanist Steve Boling, 9 - 11:30 am

August 25: Fee-free day to celebrate the 110th birthday of the National Park Service

August 26th: B.A.R.K. Ranger Day - celebrate National Dog Day by stopping by our Visitor Center at Island Ford and learning how to responsibly enjoy Chattahoochee River NRA trails with your pet. Earn a certificate, get sworn in, and learn how to get a free Chattahoochee River B.A.R.K. Ranger collar badge!

August 27: Evening "NPS Behind the Scenes" Ranger Program at Island Ford, 7 - 8 pm - Interactive and Family-Friendly Program on the patio behind the lodge!

August 29: Guided Wildflower Walk at Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive) with NPS + Botanist Steve Boling, 9 - 11:30 am

August 30: Ranger-Guided Mulberry Creek Loop Hike @ Johnson Ferry North, 9 - 11:30 am

Hope to see you in the park!

08/13/2026

You're invited to our birthday party! 9 am - 12 pm this Saturday at Island Ford!

-Guided tours of historic Hewlett Lodge
-Guided hikes of the newly restored Island Ford trails
-Junior Ranger Angler + Fishing on the river (16+ must have license)
-Arts, crafts, live animals and fun with the National Park Service, Chattahoochee ---Nature Center, and other park friends
-Junior Ranger and B.A.R.K. Ranger for our 4-legged friends!

For full event information, check out our calendar at nps.gov/chat

Also upcoming for National Park Week:
August 22: Junior Ranger Day at Island Ford
August 23: Guided wildflower walk at Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive)
August 27: Evening "NPS Behind the Scenes" Ranger Program at Island Ford
August 29: Guided wildflower walk at Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive)

07/24/2026

Free and fun this weekend!

Friday, July 24, 7:30 - 9:30 pm @ CREEC (8615 Barnwell Rd, Johns Creek)
Campfire Program: Nature Art + Historic Uses of Plants
Come make art, learn about different historic uses of plants for food, pigment, and medicine, and BYO marshmallows to roast over the campfire. Bonus twilight hike along the Chattahoochee!

Saturday, July 25, 8 - 9:30 am @ Johnson Ferry North (301 Johnson Ferry Rd SE, Marietta)
Morning Bird Walk
Come scope and learn about birds and this beautiful park unit before the day heats up. Binoculars provided.

Saturday, July 25, 10 am - 12 pm @ Vickery Creek, City of Roswell Old Mill Park
History Hand-Craft: Textiles
Join us for this drop-in activity near the old mill and covered bridge to learn about the history of cloth production along the Chattahoochee and try out weaving by hand, the pre-industrial way! Note that parking in the City of Roswell park can be crowded and limited. You can also park at our Riverside Dr. Vickery Creek lot and hike on over!

Sunday, July 26, 9 - 11:30 am @ Island Ford (1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs)
Island Ford River Ramble
Join a Ranger for a guided hike of our newly renovated trails and enjoy a peaceful morning along the river at our headquarters unit. Meet at the Visitor Center.

07/17/2026

Free kayak programs this Saturday, 7/18!

10 - 11:30 and 12:30 - 2 on Island Ford Pond.
Register at chattahoocheeparks.org/events. Walk-ups welcome as space allows!
For ages 12+ with adult.
Bring a water bottle and beat the heat with some splashy fun!

Coming up:
7/23, 8 - 9:30 pm - Twilight Bat Walk @ Cochran Shoals - Columns Drive
7/24, 7:30 - 9:30 pm - Campfire: Making Art with Nature @ CREEC
7/25, 8 - 9:30 am - Morning Bird Walk @ Johnson Ferry North

Address

1978 Island Ford Pkwy
Sandy Springs, GA
30350

Telephone

+16785381200

Website

http://www.nps.gov/chat

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