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Whether you're an Atlanta native or just looking for a nice nearby hike during your weekend visit, chances are you've been told to find the "Atlanta bamboo forest" or visit the "dog beach" -- both of which are located at East Palisades and part of your local national park! Just inside I-285 in Sandy Springs, towering bluffs overlook the Chattahoochee River, miles of wooded trails wind through mature forest, and a hidden bamboo grove has become one of the park's most recognizable destinations. East Palisades is one of the most visited sections of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), and for good reason! As the official nonprofit partner of CRNRA, Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) works alongside the National Park Service to preserve and support places like East Palisades. Memberships, donations, and volunteer support help fund trail improvements, habitat restoration, visitor programs, and projects that keep the park welcoming for millions of visitors each year. Here's what to know before your visit!

In Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, every bend in the river has a story to tell. As our country celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we're taking a moment to appreciate how this special place fits into the larger American story. And while the park itself wasn't established until 1978, the history of the Chattahoochee stretches back thousands of years.

Discover what National Park Fee Free Days are, why parks charge entrance fees, and how your visit supports Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the full list of 2026 fee free days!

On Presidents Day, we often think about leadership, legacy, and the long arc of decisions that shape our country. One of the most enduring legacies of U.S. presidents is the protection of public lands! From sweeping conservation movements to the creation of specific parks and trails, presidential leadership has played a pivotal role in making sure that places like Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) remain protected and accessible. The Presidency and the Birth of Public Lands Since the late 1800s, presidents have used their authority to conserve land for the public good. Today, the National Park System includes more than 430 sites that protect landscapes, ecosystems, historic places, and waterways, many of which exist because a president chose long-term stewardship over short-term gain. Beyond preserving scenic areas, these decisions were about clean water, public access, community well-being, and the belief that nature should belong to everyone.

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!