Dog-Friendly Hikes in Atlanta: Explore the Chattahoochee With Your Four-Legged Adventure Buddy
If your dog thinks a walk around the neighborhood is fine, but a hike is the event of the day, Atlanta has plenty of places to go exploring together. And one of the best is right in our backyard: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA)!
Stretching 48 miles along the Chattahoochee River through metro Atlanta, CRNRA is a national park made up of 15 separate park units and more than 7,000 acres of land and river corridor. Across those units, visitors can explore over 66 miles of hiking trails, from easy riverside walks to steeper, more rugged routes. In other words: there is a lot of Chattahoochee to sniff!
Yes, Your Dog Can Hike at CRNRA
Dogs are welcome on CRNRA's trails, making the park a favorite destination for Atlanta's canine adventurers. There is one very important rule, though: dogs must remain on a leash no longer than six feet at all times. Owners are also responsible for cleaning up after their pets and properly disposing of waste.
These rules aren't just about being a good trail neighbor. CRNRA welcomes more than 3 million visitors each year, and the park is home to wildlife, sensitive habitats, and a river that supplies much of metro Atlanta's drinking water. Keeping dogs leashed helps protect pets, people, wildlife, and the park itself. And yes, we know: carrying a bag of dog poop around for the rest of your hike isn't exactly the highlight of anyone's day... But leaving a bag beside the trail or river is even worse! CNPC has partnered with the National Park Service to install dog waste stations at major trailheads, making it easier to bag it and bin it.
Where Can You Hike With Your Dog?
With 15 park units and over 66 miles of trails, you can choose your adventure based on your dog's energy level, your own hiking ambitions, and how badly everyone needs to get outside!
East Palisades
If your dog loves a little adventure just inside the Atlanta perimeter, East Palisades is a great place to start. These ITP trails wind through forest, along the Chattahoochee, and up and down wooded ridges. You'll also find one of the area's most recognizable natural features: the Atlanta bamboo forest.
The terrain here can be more challenging than a simple riverside stroll, with hills and uneven sections, but that's part of the fun. Bring water, take your time, and prepare for a hike that feels surprisingly wild for being minutes from the city!
Vickery Creek
For a hike that combines nature and history, head to Vickery Creek in Roswell. The trails follow the creek through forested terrain and past the historic ruins of the Roswell Manufacturing Company mill complex.
It's a particularly good choice for dogs who enjoy a little variety: wooded trails, water, bridges, and plenty of new smells to investigate. The terrain includes some substantial climbs, so your pup may sleep especially well afterward.
Cochran Shoals
Looking for something a little easier? Cochran Shoals is one of the most popular places in CRNRA for walking and running. Its broad, multi-use trails offer scenic views of the river and plenty of room to get some miles in.
It's also a popular spot for dog walkers, so keep your pup close and be prepared to share the trail with runners, cyclists, families, and fellow dog people.
Island Ford
At Island Ford, you can combine a peaceful river walk with forested trails and historic sites. The unit has more than six miles of trails and is home to the CRNRA headquarters and visitor center.
It's also recently gotten a major trail upgrade. In 2026, CNPC and the National Park Service completed the Island Ford Trail Project, adding 2.2 miles of new trail, improving existing trail corridors, adding pedestrian bridges, and addressing drainage and erosion issues.
That's more room for humans and dogs to explore, and a better trail system for the long haul!
A National Park Built for Exploring
One of the best things about CRNRA is that you don't have to drive hours out of Atlanta to find a real hiking experience! You can watch the river move past rocky shoals, walk beneath a canopy of hardwoods, discover historic ruins, climb through forested hills, or simply find a quiet stretch of trail where your dog can stop every ten feet to investigate something extremely important.
And because the park is spread across 15 units, there's always another section to discover.
In fact, CNPC created the Hike CRNRA Challenge for exactly this reason. The challenge invites hikers to explore all 66 miles of trails across all 15 park units at their own pace. Complete the challenge and you'll earn a Hike CRNRA patch and a CNPC annual membership. Your dog, naturally, is welcome to be your hiking partner for the entire thing!
Grab the Leash and Go
Whether you're looking for a quick riverside walk or you're ready to tackle all 66 miles of CRNRA trails, there's a trail waiting for you... and probably a dog who is very excited about it!
Before you head out, check trail conditions and park alerts, bring plenty of water for both of you, keep your dog on a six-foot-or-shorter leash, and always pack out pet waste. See you on the trails!
Explore CRNRA trails and park units →
Take the Hike CRNRA Challenge →
Support Your Local National Park
If you enjoy CRNRA, consider supporting the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC). Your donation helps maintain and improve our beautiful trails and river, ensuring they remain a top destination and escape for metro Atlanta. Every contribution makes a difference in preserving this natural treasure for future generations.
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