Top Family-Friendly Adventures in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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:

1. Hit the Trail with Your Little Explorers

Island Ford Trails & Visitor Center

The Island Ford unit is a favorite starting point for families! With over five miles of trails and shorter loops ideal for younger hikers, you’ll find peaceful forest paths and river views—plus plenty of chances to spot turtles, herons, and maybe even deer. The Island Ford Visitor Center is a welcoming hub for families: pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, explore wildlife displays, and learn more about the park’s story.

Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop

This flat, 3-mile trail is bike and stroller-friendly and shaded in parts, making it a go-to for families with young kids. Interpretive signs share fun facts about the area’s history and ecosystem, and the river views are sure to please everyone in the group.

Sibley Pond at Sope Creek

A short loop surrounds this quiet pond, perfect for a slow-paced wildlife walk. Keep your eyes peeled for frogs, dragonflies, and birds along the water’s edge!

2. Pack a Picnic and Take in the Scenery

3. Cool Off in the River

Tubing

Floating the Chattahoochee is a laid-back, family-friendly way to enjoy the water. Outfitters near the park provide rentals—just bring water shoes, sunscreen, and a sense of adventure. CNPC members even get discounts on weekday rentals at Nantahala Outdoor Center!

Kayaking and Canoeing

Older kids and teens will love the challenge and fun of paddling together. Several CRNRA units have river access and nearby rentals for your next on-the-water outing.

Find water safety tips and a map to view kayak launches here!

4. Learn and Explore with Ranger-Led Activities

Junior Ranger Program

Start your visit by picking up a Junior Ranger booklet at the Island Ford Visitor Center. Kids can learn about wildlife, history, and conservation while completing fun, hands-on activities. It’s a great way to deepen your connection to the park—and earn a badge!

Guided Walks and Nature Talks

CRNRA’s rangers lead seasonal walks and family-friendly programs about native wildlife, river ecosystems, and more. Check our calendar for upcoming events and special activities for kids.

5. Look and Listen for Wildlife

One of the most magical parts of visiting CRNRA is discovering the incredible wildlife that calls this park home! With its forests, wetlands, and riverbanks, the park is home to white-tailed deer, great blue herons, turtles, hawks, and even the occasional otter or beaver. Bring binoculars and turn your hike into a nature scavenger hunt!

Encourage kids to look for tracks, listen for birdsong, and watch the river’s edge for movement. Popular wildlife-watching spots include:

Bull Sluice Lake at Gold Branch
Jones Bridge Overlook
Sibley Pond at Sope Creek

Every visit is a new chance to connect with nature—just remember to observe wildlife from a distance and leave no trace so future visitors can enjoy the same experience.

Plan Your Visit

No matter how you spend your day—on a trail, by the river, or learning something new—CRNRA is the perfect backdrop for family adventures that build lasting memories. Don’t forget: Pack snacks, refillable water bottles, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the moments!

We’d love to see where the trail takes you! Share your photos and stories using #ChattParks and tag us along the way.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

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.

Support CRNRA

What Are Park Units in CRNRA?

January 8, 2026

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!

Chattahoochee River NRA and Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy Kick Off Trail Transformation Project at Island Ford Headquarters

January 8, 2026

Date: December 7, 2025 Contact: Patrick Gamman, Acting Superintendent , 678-538-1200 SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – On Dec. 7, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area launches a trail system transformation at the Island Ford unit. Visitors should be prepared for trail closures at Island Ford from January 5 until Spring of 2026. CRNRA will post updates on closures and nearby trail alternatives on its website at nps.gov/chat , on social media @chattahoocheerivernps, and in the Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center at Island Ford, which will remain open to the public seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The National Park Service, in partnership with the CRNRA’s official friends’ group, Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, will begin this park-wide project at Island Ford, home to park headquarters and the Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center. The Island Ford project includes trail rehabilitation and an additional 2.2 miles of trails to improve long-term use, access, and park preservation. This project is the first step in implementing CRNRA’s Comprehensive Trails Management Plan, published in 2022. The plan calls for trail enhancements at every park unit with more durable paths, resource conservation, and a better experience for visitors. The plan further adds 33 miles of new trails throughout the park—a 50% increase—including pedestrian-only, bicycle/multi-use, and ADA accessible trail miles. The jointly planned and executed project will be funded and led by the Conservancy, with public support. Trail improvements will address issues of erosion, safety, navigability, access, and protection of park resources for ongoing visitor enjoyment. Trails will be stronger and better built to withstand the numbers of visitors enjoying them every year. Additional miles of hiking trails will expand recreation opportunities and chances for solitude in the woods. Named loop hikes and improved maps will create easy-to-navigate opportunities and breathe new life into hiking, walking, and running in this green oasis beside the Chattahoochee River. For more information on the Island Ford Trail Project, visit Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy website at: https://www.chattahoocheeparks.org/iftrails For more information on Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, visit https://www.nps.gov/chat/index.htm .

Trail Erosion: What It Is and How You Can Help CRNRA Trails

December 2, 2025

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

Contact Info