Camping, trails, maps & photo credits — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
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.
Camping & reservations
Use this unit’s official planning instructions to confirm permitted overnight options, tours and any required permits. A day-use parking area is not an authorized campsite.
Confirm official overnight options and permits. Official trip-planning information ↗
Truck-camping & permitted overnight use
Confirm whether this unit offers a designated campsite suitable for a truck camper or RV. Verify permission to stay overnight, the exact site dimensions and vehicle approach before traveling.
Backcountry camping and vehicle camping require park-specific authorization; National Park Service land is not generally open to unrestricted roadside camping. Confirm designated sites, permits and food-storage rules with this unit.
Activities, hiking & trails
Hiking. Official activities and trail-planning information ↗
NPS-listed recreation: Biking, Boating, Fishing, Hiking, Paddling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Whitewater Rafting, Junior Ranger Program, Tubing, River Tubing, Swimming, Freshwater Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store, Gift Shop and Souvenirs.
Maps & road access
Use the official NPS directions and current alerts. Check vehicle restrictions and campground approach roads before traveling.
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. Official directions / site access ↗
Before you travel
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.
Source review: 2026-11-01. Conditions, fees, permits and availability can change. National Park Service official information ↗
Photograph sources & licensing
Banner: Marietta Paper Mill
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.
Credit: NPS/David Ek. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Second large photograph: Look Closely
School children from the city enjoy visiting the park on a ranger-led hike.
Credit: NPS. Original source ↗ · Public domain — NPS-created federal work ↗. Resized and cropped to match the profile display framing; original image source linked.
Photographs are real images of the named unit; no AI-generated photographs are used. Federal photo credit register.