Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Photos: Top Ten U.S. Rivers for Rafting

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A River, a City, a Park

The river is the Chattahoochee, the city is Atlanta, and the park is a series of park lands along a 48-mile stretch of the river. This park is a place rich in natural and human history, each influenced by the pervasive force of the river. Usually clear, cold, and slow-moving, the river sometimes becomes a muddy torrent, plunging through its rock-bound shoals.

For centuries people have been drawn to the river for food and transportation and for power to sustain the mills, factories, and homes that have been built along its banks. Today the river attracts us for different reasons.

Now people come to float the river, to hike the trails along its banks, and fish for trout. The park is an outdoor classroom, too, with opportunities for expanding your horizons through nature walks studying plants, birds, and the river.

Here beaver and muskrats live in burrows along the river's bank, fox and raccoons make their homes in the hardwood forests, and chipmunks, squirrels, and rabbits are seemingly everywhere. Turtles share the river with other aquatic life. Snakes, salamanders, lizards, frogs, and toads live in all the natural habitats along the river. Venture into the forest and you set off a noisy reaction as grasshoppers, dragonflies, and butterflies leap and fly to escape the foot you so innocently placed.

At any season, the Chattahoochee's banks are a tangle of color. Dogwoods, redbuds, trout lilies in early spring are followed by flame azaleas, asters, and wild violets. During the fall the cardinal flower and the showy scarlet sumac turn a brilliant red. A solitary walk enjoying nature's display, rafting leisurely with friends, fishing on the misty waters as the sun comes up, picnicking on a Sunday afternoon-this is the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

On the River

The Chattahoochee River is a Class I and II waterway, excellent for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting. Some sections. however, can be Class III because of narrow passages, high water levels with irregular, high waves' and cold water temperatures. The full run from Buford Dam to Paces Mill is 40 miles. Put-ins and take-outs are available at several intermediate points as follows:

From: Buford Dam
To: Abbotts Bridge
Distance (Approx.): 13 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 4-5 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 6-8

From: Abbotts Bridge
To: Medlock lock Bridge
Distance (Approx.): 4 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 1-2 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 3-4 Hours

From: Medlock Bridge
To: Jones Bridge
Distance (Approx.): 3 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 1-1/2 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 1 1/2-2Hours

From: Jones Bridge
To: Chattahoochee River Park1
Distance (Approx.): 12 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 6-8 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 9-12 Hours

From: Morgan Falls Dam
To: Johnson Ferry
Distance (Approx.): 2 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 1/2-1 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 1-2 Hours

From: Johnson Ferry
To: Powers Island
Distance (Approx.): 3.5 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 1-3 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 2-4 Hours

From: Powers Island
To: Paces Mill2
Distance (Approx.): 3 mi
Approximate Float Time Canoe (Depending on water level): 1-2 Hours
Approximate Float Time Raft (Depending on water level): 1-3 Hours

Chattahoochee River Park is the last take-out point before Morgan Falls Dam. 2 Paces Mill is the last take-out point in the national recreation area.

Currents in the Chattahoochee can be strong around the submerged rocks and jagged tree snags that crowd the Chattahoochee. Wear rubber-soled shoes because of slippery rocks and broken glass. Be sure to check river conditions before you put in. The river is subject to swift rise when water is released from upstream dams.

Watercraft can be rented from the Chattahoochee Outdoor Center, the park concessionaire, from May through Labor Day at the Johnson Ferry and Powers Island Units. The concessionaire also provides a shuttle bus service, for a nominal fee, to Johnson Ferry, Powers Island, and Paces Mill (most southerly take-out point). Watercraft can also be rented from the Chattahoochee Canoe Company, just west of Buford Dam.

Fishing

Fishing on this stretch of the Chattahoochee, a designated trout stream, can be a great experience. Trout, bream, catfish, and other species are found in these waters. LIVE BAIT FISH (MINNOWS) MAY NOT BE USED. A valid Georgia fishing license with trout stamp is required for anyone 16 years of age or older.

Fishing is permitted the year round from the Roswell Road Bridge, Ga. 9, downstream to the 1-285 West Bridge (not on map). North of the Roswell Road Bridge all the way to Buford Dam, fishing is permitted from the last Saturday in March through October 31. On the portion of the river between Ga. 141 and Ga. 20 only artificial lures may be used. Refer to current Georgia fishing and trout regulations for further information.

On Land

Besides the enjoyment of water-related activities, there is much you can do on land. All park units are laced with marked trails for hiking and walking and open meadows for playing. Picnic tables, grills, and trash containers are conveniently located. Natural and cultural pockets of history offer outstanding classroom experiences along the Chattahoochee River corridor.

Upland ridge trails in the Palisades Unit lead to panoramas of the river gorge and down through wooded forests to floodplain trails where rock outcroppings, sandy beaches, expanses of shoal-water, and some evidence of human activity can be seen.

In the Sope Creek and Vickery Creek Units, trails lead through moderately steep to rolling hills to lush ravines and wooded areas, old homesites, and historic mill ruins.

Marshy environments and open fields that once were rich farmlands can be discovered on trails in the Cochran Shoals, Johnson Ferry, and Gold Branch Units.

The Cochran Fitness Trail, approximately 3 miles long with optional loops, is an activity path enjoyed by exercise enthusiasts and nature lovers. The trail, which has exercise stations, offers each visitor the chance to participate in a leisurely walk, a run, a total exercise workout, or any combination of these. The Cochran Fitness Trail, which is fully accessible, is for pedestrian, wheelchair, and bicycle use only. Nature and cultural programs are conducted year-round. For program and trail map information, call (404) 399-8070 or (404) 952-4419.

At the Paces Mill, Island Ford, and Jones Bridge Units, trails lead to the river's edge, where you can view a scenic section of islands and whitewater shoals.

Safety Tips

On the River

• Hypothermia is the lowering of the inner body temperature beyond the safety point. It can occur if you are exposed to cold water (generally when the water temperature is below 70° F) and/or wind. Mental disorientation occurs, arms and legs quickly become numb, and unconsciousness results as the body's temperature drops. If you capsize in cold water, get out as quickly as possible and warm yourself.
• Know your put-in and take-out points. Tell others of your plans.
• Check water release schedules before entering the water directly below the dams.
• A life preserver-U.S. Coast Guard approved-is required for each person aboard any watercraft. This includes inner tubes.
• Be aware of the weather and water conditions. Lightweight, quick-drying clothing in the summer is adequate. During the cooler seasons, wear clothes with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. For cold weather, wool is a necessity, for it retains heat even when wet.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Head for shore if bad weather threatens.
• Drinking alcohol impairs one's coordination and judgment capabilities. Be temperate.
• Never dive or jump into the river. Submerged rocks, occasionally murky water, and fluctuating water levels make this very dangerous. Swimming is not recommended.
• If lightning occurs, get out of the water, stay away from trees, and seek low shelter.
• Use caution below dams.

On Land

• Do not overexert yourself.
  
• Stay on designated trails. Short cutting causes soil erosion and damages plant life.
  
• Poison ivy is found throughout the area; know the adage:"Leaflets three, let it be."
  
• Learn to identify the poisonous copperhead.
  
• Insect repellent may be necessary when hiking in certain areas.
  
• Climbing on bluffs can be very dangerous, for the earth and rock crumble easily.
  
• Climbing historic ruins is prohibited.
  
• Extinguish fires in grills before leaving your picnic site.
  
• Do not leave your vehicle or personal belongings unprotected. Don't be a target.
  
• Be alert and drive safely.
  

• Pets must be kept under physical control-on a leash-at all times.
  
• Use picnic grills or a portable stove for cooking. Open campfires are not permitted.
  
• Camping is not allowed.
  
• Firearms and hunting is strictly prohibited.
  
• Glass containers are prohibited on the river from Buford Dam to Paces Mill (U.S. 41). For your safety the National Park Service recommends that no glass containers be used throughout the river corridor.
  Alcohol consumption is not permitted on land or on water, in the Jones Bridge Unit, or in the Roswell Dam area of the Vickery Creek Unit.
  
• To protect historic ruins for future public enjoyment, climbing and/or defacing them is prohibited.
  
• The use of metal detectors is not allowed.
  
• Respect the rights of private property owners. Be alert to boundary trespass.
  
• Help protect the park and take pride in it. Do not pick the plant life or disturb the animal life. Put litter in its proper place-the trash containers.

Park Information:
(404) 399-8070
(404) 952-4419

Park Emergency
(404) 952-0370 or 911

River Conditions
Buford Dam (404) 945-1466
Morgan Falls Dam (404) 329-1455

Administration

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. For more information, write to: Superintendent, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30350, or call (770) 399-8070.