Abbotts Bridge Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Located in Duluth, Georgia the Abbotts Bridge Boat Launch provides easy access to all river users. Your bound to see tubers landing after floating down stream while paddlers will be headed down stream and anglers in power boats headed in either direction.

Abbotts Bridge Pavilion

The Abbotts Bridge Unit is located along the river off GA 120 in Duluth, Georgia. Follow the gravel entrance road for about one half mile to the gravel parking lot. You will see the pavilion at the edge of the field.

Abbotts Bridge Unit Trailhead

This is the only trailhead located in the Abbotts Bridge Unit. The trail is out and back and only about a mile in length. However there are several massive oak trees early on the trail. There are scenic views of the river since most river users take out at the boat ramp.

Allenbrook House

Buford Dam

While the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River is in the mountains of north Georgia the Buford Dam serves as a headwaters of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. For the next 48 miles you have the opportunity to enjoy the river in a natural state.

CRNRA Park Store

Making a purchase at the America's National Parks bookstore is a great way to support the park. The bookstore is a part of the Island Ford Visitor Center located in the Historic Hewlett Lodge at Island Ford. Books, postcards, and educational gift items related to the cultural and natural history and recreational opportunities of the Chattahoochee River are available in the bookstore.

• Historic Hewlett Lodge is located at the end of Island Ford Parkway in the Island Ford Unit. As you enter the lodge you pass through a vestibule before entering the lobby. The massive stone fireplace will greet will be the first thing you see in the lobby. In the winter time you may not want to leave the warmth of the fire in the fireplace. Before going any further make sure you take time to look at the exhibits about the cultural and natural history of the park. While facing the fireplace turn to your right and proceed through the open door into the America's National Park Store.

Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center (CREEC)

The Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center (CREEC) serves as the educational center for the park. Here visitors learn about the parks resources through evening programs, school programs, and summer time day camps.

Garrard Landing Park Canoe and Raft Launch

This is a great place for a family to put in for a day on the river. While drivers are shuttling a vehicle down stream, the kids can play on the playground or start their picnic early in the city park.

Hewlett Field

Hewlett Field is located behind the Historic Hewlett Lodge in the Island Ford Unit. The field can be accessed by walking down a moderately steep paved walkway behind the lodge. Or take the road used by boaters to drop off your items to carry across the field. The road can be very busy on nice days with river users. There is no parking allowed along the road or at the traffic circle at the end of the road..

Hewlett Lodge

Stop by historic Hewlett Lodge when visiting the Island Ford unit. The lodge serves as the park headquarters and visitor center.

Hyde Farm

Located on the high ground northwest of the Chattahoochee River lies Hyde Farm. Land north of the Chattahoochee River was known by European settlers as the Cherokee Indian territory. The 1832 Land Lottery took the land from the Cherokee and distributed 160 acre parcels to qualified people. James Cooper Power settled on the land that would become Hyde Farm in the 1830s.

Island Ford Canoe and Raft Launch

This is a great place to access the river. It's an easy paddle upstream and floating back to the landing so there is no need to shuttle a vehicle. Or just paddle downstream enjoying the Island Ford Shoals.

Island Ford Unit - Hewlett Lodge Trailhead

What better place to start a hike in the Island Ford Unit than at the Hewlett Lodge trailhead. You have many amenities just inside the lodge for your convience before or after your day of hiking. The only downside might be the number of people that use this trailhead to access the trails and boat launch.

Ivy Mill Ruins

Johnson Ferry Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Launch here to stay clear of the crowds found at the Power Island Launch. Then plan on taking out at the Whitewater Creek Launch or for a little longer float continue to the Paces Mill Launch.

Johnson Ferry South Pavilion

The Johnson Ferry Unit is located along the river off in Cobb County, Georgia. The south entrance to the unit is at Columns Drive. Follow the gravel entrance road a short distance to the gravel parking lot. You will see the pavilion at the edge of the field.

Jones Bridge Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Back your trailer down the ramp to launch your boat for a great fishing trip. Or launch your self propelled watercraft but please move your vehicle to the main parking lot that has plenty of parking spaces.

Jones Bridge Canoe and Raft Launch

You'll have to carry your gear to the launch but it's well worth the haul. Launch your watercraft from a step-down ramp and watch the last step into the river.

Lower Pool Park Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Launch your boat in the shadows of Buford Dam for a complete visit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. As you float downstream you'll pass through the least developed section of river in the park.

Marietta Paper Mill Ruins

The nearly 200-year-old ruins of the Marietta Paper Mill sit on the banks of Sope Creek within the Cochran Shoals Unit. They were once a sprawling complex that manufactured twine, newsprint, and paper that was used to print confederate currency.

• While standing on the the bridge over Sope Creek and looking down stream the mill ruins of two foot thick stone walls with large window openings is visible to your right. Between the mill ruins and the creek is the stone lined raceway where the water flowed to turn the water wheel that would have provided power to the mill. To your left is the beginning of the old roadway to the main mill complex. As you walk down the road as you look over the edge of the road you will see remnants of the stone retaining wall. After walking 200 feet you will come to the ruins of the oil house which consist of 3 walls, 20 feet in height. Continuing down the roadway stone piers that held the flume providing the water to the mill become apparent.

McGinnis Ferry Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

The McGinnis Ferry Launch provides access to the river for power boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes. This launch has a rather small parking area.

Medlock Bridge Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Looking for a place to launch a power boat for a day of fishing on the river or a canoe, kayak, or raft for a nice float on the river then this may be a good starting point.

Morgan Falls Dam

The 56-foot tall dam was built by Georgia Power in 1904, then expanded in 1924, and then heightened in 1957. While originally used to power Atlanta’s streetcars, the dam now serves primarily to re-regulate flows from Buford Dam. The construction of the dam created Bull Sluice Lake and, over time, sedimentation created the surrounding wetland.

Morgan Falls River Park Boat, Canoe, and Raft Launch

Check out the lower part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area by launching your boat below Morgan Falls Dam. This may be the best water in the park.

Paces Mill Canoe and Raft Launch

This is the last pace to exit the river in the park. Make sure you have shuttled a vehicle to the launch so you make it home tonight.

Paces Mill South Boat Ramp

Paces Mill South Boat Ramp entrance featuring a paved pathway, flanked by brick border walls on both sides, seamlessly connecting with the road.

• The entrance features a paved pathway, flanked by brick border walls on both sides, seamlessly connecting with the road.

Palisades Overlook

Located in the East Palisades Unit the overlook offers stunning views of the river's Devils Race Course Shoals below and the metro Atlanta skyline in the distance. The overlook has a viewing platform and benches.

Powers Island Canoe and Raft Launch

Start your float here to see some of the most scenic stretches of the Chattahoochee River. After crossing under I-285 and past a few riverside businesses and an apartment complex you enter into the urban section of the river, but it's hard to believe.

Rogers Bridge

Built in the late 1800's Rodgers Bridge is an example of a camelback bridge. It is the best preserved historic bridge in the park.

Rogers Bridge Park Canoe and Raft Launch

This Launch is currently CLOSED.

Sam Hewlett Pavilion

The Sam Hewlett Pavilion is located behind the Historic Hewlett Lodge in the Island Ford Unit. The pavilion is accessed by walking down a moderately steep paved and gravel walkway behind the lodge. Not far is a scenic overlook of the shoals where you may see boaters headed down stream, anglers wading in the river, or Anhinga perched in the trees across the river. Just below the pavilion you can explore the side creek and discover the old spring house.

Settles Bridge

Settles Bridge Canoe and Raft Launch

You'll have to carry your gear to the launch but it's well worth the haul. Launch your watercraft into the cold waters under the remains of the historic Settles Bridges.

Whitewater Creek Canoe and Raft Launch

After a short carry and stepping down a few steps you wet your feet in the river. At lower river levels you may have a short carry across the gravel bar.

Island Ford Visitor Center

• 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.

• Exploring Palisades East
• Welcome to the eastern half of the Palisades Unit. There are few places better than the Palisades visit a rock shelter, view the shoals, or enjoy the river first hand.

• Be A CHAT Junior Ranger
• by the Island Ford Visitor Center to pick up your Junior Ranger Booklet and get to work on becoming the next park's Junior Ranger.

• Exploring Gold Branch
• Escape the crowds with a short drive to Gold Branch in east Cobb County. Hike down to Bull Sluice Lake to wet a line or have a picnic in the woods. If you wish, take a nice long hike to really get away from the crowds.

• Exploring Palisades West
• Welcome to the western half of the Palisades Unit. There are few places better than the Palisades to visit a rock shelter, view the shoals, or enjoy the river first hand.

• Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop
• The Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop is a true multi-use trail. You'll find mothers pushing strollers, joggers avoiding the afternoon traffic, and cyclist in their cool p-jays.

• Chattahoochee Cycling
• What are you waiting for? Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has bike trails to ride just outside the city. Some paved miles for people on their road bikes and some miles for the mountain bikers. Just remember to share the trails with pedestrians.