At Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC), our mission is to build community, enrich lives, and catalyze support to ensure a sustainable national park for future generations. A core part of that work is helping increase access to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), so that everyone feels welcome, represented, and connected to this incredible public space! This Black History Month, we’re reflecting on the deep and often overlooked connections between Black history and the outdoors, while also uplifting local organizations that are actively expanding access, building community, and enriching lives through outdoor experiences today. Exploring Access and Visibility: Who Gets to Feel Welcomed in Outdoor Spaces? For generations, the outdoors has been a place of freedom, healing, resistance, and joy for all. Yet systemic barriers like segregation, exclusion from public lands, and ongoing inequities have limited access and visibility in outdoor spaces for people of color. Today, Black-led and BIPOC-centered outdoor organizations are helping change that reality. Through intentional programming, shared experiences, and community-led leadership, these groups are creating entry points into nature that feel welcoming and safe. Their work aligns closely with CNPC’s belief that access to the outdoors strengthens not only individuals, but the community as a whole.

Cover image by Sebastian Hagan Each year on World Wetlands Day (February 2), we pause to celebrate some of the hardest-working ecosystems on the planet. Wetlands may not always get the spotlight like mountaintops or waterfalls, but here at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), they quietly (and powerfully!) do it all. From filtering our water to protecting wildlife and people alike, wetlands are essential to the health of the river and the communities that surround it.

Whitewater Creek, Island Ford, Gold Branch… why do they all have different names? Aren’t they all part of CRNRA? Yep, they are! It’s a common question! Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is made up of 15 separate park "units," or individual greenspaces, scattered along 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River. Unlike many national parks that are one big, connected space, CRNRA is made up of individual pieces of land, like a string of pearls scattered along the river. Each unit is its own distinct park area, with its own trailheads, river access points, and natural features. So when someone says they visited “CRNRA,” that could mean they went to: Island Ford (home to the Visitor Center) Palisades (popular for hiking and views) Paces Mill, Vickery Creek, Bowmans Island, Cochran Shoals... and many more! This setup can be confusing because the park isn’t one continuous space — you might drive 10 or 20 minutes between units. But together, they make up the full and beautiful Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area! Want to explore them all? Check out our interactive map and full list of park units on our website to discover a new favorite spot along the river!

Keeping the Chattahoochee’s trails safe, sustainable, and open for everyone

Ways to Celebrate Public Lands Month This September, join us in celebrating the Chattahoochee by: Getting outside: Walk, run, fish, picnic, or paddle your favorite unit of the park. Find an interactive map of park units here! Volunteering: Visit our Volunteer page to find a project that helps keep the park clean, safe, and welcoming. Supporting CNPC: Memberships and donations fund projects like trail improvements, habitat preservation, and programs that connect our community to the park. Join or donate today! Sharing the park: Invite a friend to explore with you and introduce them to CRNRA! Looking Ahead Every visit to CRNRA is a reminder that public lands belong to all of us. They are shaped not only by the river and forest, but by the community that loves and protects them. As we celebrate Public Lands Month, we invite you to step outside, find your place along the Chattahoochee, and be part of the ongoing story of this park! Celebrate with us on the trail, on the water, and as part of a community that cares deeply for the Chattahoochee. Happy Public Lands Month!

Looking to spend quality time with your loved ones in the great outdoors? Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a natural fit for families seeking fun, fresh air, and meaningful moments together. With scenic trails, peaceful picnic spots, and hands-on learning experiences, CRNRA offers plenty of ways to connect with nature—and each other. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities to enjoy in the park:

If you’ve lived in metro Atlanta long enough, you may remember a time when people avoided the Chattahoochee River. It had a reputation—polluted, unpredictable, and not the kind of place you’d choose to paddle, swim, or fish. In the 1970s and '80s, that reputation was well-earned. Decades of development, failing infrastructure, and untreated stormwater left sections of the river vulnerable to high bacteria levels and poor water quality. For a while, the Chattahoochee was viewed more as a cautionary tale than a community resource.

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of sunshine, fresh air, and a little splash of adventure, paddling the Chattahoochee River through Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) checks all the boxes! Whether you’re into kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or just floating downstream with your favorite snacks and a speaker, this river’s got something for everyone. 

There’s a lot to love about springtime in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: the wildflowers are blooming, the trails are buzzing, and the river is flowing. And now we’ve got one more reason to get outside: National Park Week is coming up April 19-27, and we’re ready to celebrate CRNRA in a big way!