City: Atlanta, GA

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (678) 538-1200

Address: 1978 Island Ford Pkwy.

Description: This recreation area offers more than 50 miles of trails divided into 16 land units that stretch along 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River’s shoreline from Cobb Parkway on the west side of town to Buford Dam on Lake Lanier in the east. All the units offer scenic views of the river and surrounding forests; many also offer fishing and rafting opportunities. In local lingo, rafting or canoeing down the Chattahoochee is known as “shooting the ’Hooch.’” The area has a 3.1-mile fitness trail beginning at the Cochran Shoals unit off I-285 at Powers Ferry Road, complete with exercise stations. This trail is suitable for walking, jogging, and biking. The trails vary in levels of difficulty; the park staff will advise you on which ones suit your needs and abilities. At Sope Creek off Paper Mill Road in East Cobb and Vickery Creek in Roswell, you can explore the ruins of old mills. Throughout the recreation area, you will observe an array of plant life and wildlife and maybe even get in some people-watching at the more popular units. Parking permits at the various recreation sites are $2 per car. The park is open daily, dawn to dusk.