Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area ⓘ

Osprey soaring over the river are just one of the many animal species found in the park. Photograph by park VIP Tom Wilson.

Water quality and invasive species are two environmental factors that have an impact on the river. Photograph by park staff.

The park has a great diversity of plants with the Yellow Trout Lily found blooming in the spring. Photograph by park VIP Tom Wilson.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is 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 a source of water, food, and transportation, and in more recent times for power to sustain the mills, factories, and homes built along its banks.

Wild plants and animals, native to the area, are abundant in the park. Visit the park often to see the ever changing show that the plant life has to offer. Some animals you will see every time you visit and some, like the playful river otter, will delight you with a rare appearance.

Whether you are canoeing, fishing or hiking, CRNRA is an exciting place to observe animals in their natural habitats.

The river is home for trout, bass, catfish and 20 other species of fish. The Chattahoochee River is the southernmost trout river in the United States. This is possible due to Buford Dam releasing cold water from the bottom of Lake Lanier and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocking the river.

Housing over two hundred and forty bird species, there's not a corner you turn without hearing the sweets sounds of nature. You are likely to see the graceful blue heron soaring above the river, with it's neck bent for flight in the shape of an 's' and its wings outstretched five to six feet. Some species make their home in the river corridor and others are just passing through while traveling the eastern flyway.

The forest along the river is home to many species including rabbits and white tailed deer. If you walk quietly in the late summer, you might see fawn just starting to forage alone. At this young age, they are especially beautiful with their large white spots and long, lanky legs, silently leaping up banks or over fallen trees.

At dusk, it is shift change for the animals in the park. A symphony begins with the call of the owls and the frogs. The bats dart about, honing in on their dinner of insects, while the toads leap underfoot and the crickets join in.

In the early 1970's, a group of people realized that the city of Atlanta was especially fortunate to have a river as beautiful as the Chattahoochee, running through a major metropolitan city. They understood the importance of the river as a source of drinking water for the state of Georgia. They also saw the early signs of pollution in the river and had the foresight to seek public protection for its preservation.

In 1978, congress responded and then President Jimmy Carter signed a bill creating the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). The combination of its scenic vistas, urban location, geologic features and biodiversity qualified the area to meet the strict standards of becoming part of the National Park Service (NPS).

The NPS has a particularly difficult challenge of "preserving and protecting" the CRNRA "for this and future generations" while providing a recreational area to a rapidly growing metropolitan area.

Today, the river is combating several types of pollution. Above Atlanta, the most serious environmental threat to health of the river is caused by construction and land development. Development is outpacing the construction of wastewater treatment systems. After heavy rains, sewage spills commonly occur because the wastewater system cannot handle the sudden heavy volume. In metro Atlanta, runoff from impervious surfaces like roads and parking lots washes oil, tire dust and other pollutants into the river. Another problem is thermal pollution, which is caused by roads and other paved surfaces heating up the rainwater that is washing into the river and its' tributaries. This water can be hot enough to kill sensitive organisms and fish in the area.

Amenities by Park Unit For Driving Directions Click the Park Unit Name Park Region Park Unit Hiking Trail Miles Bicycle Trails Boat Launch Canoe Launch Picnic Area Restrooms ADA Accessibility N O R T H Bowman's Island 5.4 Yes Yes Yes (w/grills) Yes Orrs Ferry 0 Settles Bridge 1.25 McGinnis Ferry 2.0 Yes Yes Yes Abbotts Bridge .40 Yes Yes Yes (w/grills) Yes Medlock Bridge 1.5 Yes Yes Yes Jones Bridge 4.6 Yes Yes Yes Yes Restrooms CREEC 2.0 Yes Holcomb Bridge 1.0 Yes C E N T R A L Island Ford 4.9 Yes Yes (w/grills) Yes Visitor Center Vickery Creek 7.4 Yes Allenbrook .5 Gold Branch 4.9 Yes Johnson Ferry North 3.6 Yes Yes Yes Johnson Ferry South 2.0 Yes S O U T H Cochan Shoals-Columns Drive 6.0 Yes Yes Restrooms Cochan Shoals-Sope Creek 6.0 Yes Yes Cochan Shoals-Interstate North 6.0 Yes Yes Yes Restrooms Cochan Shoals-Powers Island 3.0 Yes Yes Yes Restrooms West Palisades-Akers Mill 1.0 Yes Yes West Palisades-Paces Mill 5.0 Yes Yes Yes Yes (w/grills) Yes Restrooms East Palisades-Indian Trail 3.0 East Palisades-White Water 3.0 Yes

678-538-1200 Call 770-992-6585 for non-emergency law enforcement assistance for any event that does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to call 770-992-6585 are for property crime (car break-ins, vandalism), suspicious activity, or a threat to the park's resources (digging). Dial 911 when there is a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to dial 911 are for missing person, fire, physical altercation, or injury.