Rate Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Recreation Area
Operating Hours & Seasons
Park Hours
The park lands and waters are open for day-use only from dawn to dusk year round. Dawn is defined as 30 minutes before legal sunrise and dusk is defined as 30 minutes after legal sunset. The sunrise and sunset hours are posted at the information kiosk located throughout the park.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $3.00 – Daily Entrance Fee
The Daily Entrance Fee is valid for the date of payment! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable. Proof of payment of a Daily Entrance Fee is a Daily Park Pass which must be displayed from the inside rear-view mirror, or on the dashboard, of your vehicle. Make sure the face of the pass is visible from the outside. - $35.00 – Annual Entrance Fee
The Annual Entrance Fee is valid for one year from the month of purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable. Proof of payment of an Annual Entrance Fee is an Annual Park Pass which must be hung from the inside rear-view mirror, or placed on the dashboard, of your vehicle. Make sure the face of the pass is visible from the outside.
Entrance Passes:
- $3.00 – Daily Park Pass
The Daily Park Pass is valid only for the day it is purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable. The Daily Park Pass must be hung from the inside rear-view mirror, or placed on the dashboard, of your vehicle making sure the face of the pass is visible from the outside. If you feel like you will visit the park more than once a month then consider purchasing an Annual Park Pass. - $35.00 – Annual Park Pass
The Annual Park Pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable. The Annual Park Pass must be hung from the inside rear-view mirror, or placed on the dashboard, of your vehicle making sure the face of the pass is visible from the outside. For additional information about park passes visit https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/fees.htm
About
An Ancient River In A Modern City
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up, or have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon. Get Outdoors and experience your Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as you have never done before.
Directions
To find the Island Ford Visitor Center enter the physical address listed above into your GPS unit or your favorite map software. Once you have arrived at 8800 Roberts Drive turn onto Island Ford Parkway and follow the signs to the park headquarters.
Visitor Centers
Island Ford Visitor Center
The Island Ford Visitor Center is located in the historic Hewlett Lodge. Here you will be able to purchase your Annual Park Pass as well as the any of the passes in the America The Beautiful series. While there pick up maps, obtain the latest information on the park, or pick up a souvenir from the Eastern National store.
Weather
Summers typically consist of long spells of warm, humid weather. Average highs are in the lower 90’s and overnight lows range from the upper 60’s to lower 70’s. Winters are more variable with highs averaging from the mid 50’s to lower 60’s while the lows average in the mid 30’s. Oftentimes, stretches of mild weather will alternate with cold spells. Spring and Autumn seasons are characterized by much variability from day to day and from year to year.
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Nearby Businesses
