Paddling in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area protects 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River as it flows through metro Atlanta, running from below Buford Dam at Lake Lanier south to the Palisades unit near Vinings.

The river sits along the Brevard Fault Zone, forming the boundary between the Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont Plateau.

Nearly all of it is moving flatwater — calm enough for tubes and coolers — with occasional Class I shoals and a single Class II rapid in the northern section.

The character of the river changes with Buford Dam: when releases are running, currents strengthen; when the dam is quiet, the water flattens out considerably. The river rarely warms above 50°F year-round, so dress accordingly regardless of air temperature.

Blue mile markers tick off the river from mile 348 at Buford Dam down to mile 300 at the southern end, giving paddlers a reliable way to track progress. The river splits into two navigable sections at Morgan Falls Dam, near mile marker 312.

5 — you'll need to carry around it to continue downstream.

North of the dam, access points include Bowmans Island, Settles Bridge, McGinnis Ferry, Abbotts Bridge, Medlock Bridge, Jones Bridge, Garrard Landing, Island Ford, Don White Memorial Park, Azalea Park, and Overlook Park.

South of Morgan Falls Dam, the river is accessible at Morgan Falls Park, Johnson Ferry North, Powers Island, and Paces Mill — the last takeout point in the park.

Some access points have boat ramps; others, like Don White Memorial Park and Powers Island, are kayak and tube only with no ramp.

The river is open to rafts, canoes, kayaks, and motorboats year-round during daylight hours — from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Jet skis are not permitted at any time, and night boating is prohibited.

The park does not rent boats, but authorized outfitters operate inside the park boundaries; all rentals are required to include paddles and PFDs.

Currents around submerged rocks and tree snags can be deceptively strong even on calm days, and rubber-soled shoes matter more than they might seem — slippery rocks and occasional debris are real hazards.

Because Buford Dam controls the flow, checking release schedules before launching is standard practice, not optional. The 'Hooch rewards paddlers who pay attention to it.