Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

05/07/2026

Spring is a beautiful time to explore the park. It’s also an important time for wildlife.

April and May bring blooming flowers, migrating birds, and warmer weather to the park. They also mark an active season for coyotes, which may be raising pups nearby.

Coyotes are a natural part of this ecosystem, and keeping dogs on a leash helps protect pets, wildlife, and other visitors. Even well-behaved dogs can unintentionally trigger defensive behavior from wildlife if they approach too closely.

For everyone’s safety:
🐾 Keep dogs on a leash
🐾 Give wildlife plenty of space
🐾 Stay aware of your surroundings while exploring

Thank you for helping protect the park and the wildlife that call it home.

NPS Photo - Trail camera photo of coyote

04/16/2026

Enjoy this beautiful Spring weather with some programs in the park!

SATURDAY, 4/18:
*9 am - 12 pm - NPS Volunteer Trail Restoration Day @ Columns Drive (register with [email protected] in advance)

*11 am - 3 pm - Junior Ranger Day @ Johnson Ferry North (drop-in activities)

*7:30 - 9:30 pm - Ranger Campfire Program: TURTLES! 220 Million Years of Successful Design @ Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center (CREEC)

SUNDAY, 4/19:
1:30 - 3:30 pm - "Geology Hikes Around Atlanta" Geology Talk and Park Geology Walk @ Island Ford with Dr. Bill Witherspoon (registration required)

THURSDAY, 4/22:
6 - 8 pm - Earth Day Community Cleanup with Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy @ Paces Mill

FRIDAY, 4/22:
11 am - Tree ID Through the Seasons with Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy and Trees Atlanta @ Paces Mill

SATURDAY, 4/25:
*2 - 3 pm - Sound Bathing at Island Ford with Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy @ Island Ford

*7:30 pm - Movie on the 'H***h: The Lorax with Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy @ Island Ford

Find out more and register for both National Park Service and Friends group programs at chattahoocheeparks.org/events!

04/13/2026

New Positions Open!

Join Our Team This Summer and Fall

Are you passionate about connecting people to nature, history, and outdoor recreation? Join the U.S. National Park Service team at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and help us protect and share this beautiful park.

Currently open:
Seasonal Park Ranger (Interpretation), GS-5 and GS-7 positions
- Application window is 4/9 - 4/20/2026

These positions are for local applicants only. This is your chance to work with the U.S. National Park Service and make a difference!

Visit USAjobs.gov for details on these and other NPS positions, to create an account, and to upload your application materials:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/864184300
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/864186200

02/05/2026

The owls are back!

Come out Saturday night 2/7/2026 to meet native rescue owls with our friends !

6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center, 8615 Barnwell Rd, Johns Creek, GA. We'll learn about native wildlife, meet some owls, go on a Ranger-led night hike, and gather 'round a campfire.

Bring: warm layers (outdoor program), headlamp or flashlight if you wish to join the hike, and marshmallows if you wish to roast on the fire.

Cost: Program is free! Daily ($5) or annual park entrance pass required for each vehicle, available at rec.gov.

Parking is limited; please arrive *early* and carpool.

More info at chattahoocheeparks.org/events

01/25/2026

Update: The Visitor Center will be open on Tuesday, 1/27/2026.

The Visitor Center at Island Ford will be closed for safety due to hazardous winter conditions on Sunday, 1/25/2026 and Monday, 1/26/206. Any visitors should use utmost precaution. Conditions at the park and on the trails could be hazardous, and ranger response time could be slow or nonexistent.

01/22/2026

Due to the forecast wintry weather and icy conditions, the Ranger-led guided hikes this weekend at East Palisades (Saturday) and Sope Creek (Sunday) will be cancelled. We will offer these again in the Spring!

01/15/2026

Join our team!

This video shows just one of many exciting things NPS staff get to do: find crawfish under streambed rocks! "That one looks blueish! It may be a Chattahoochee Crayfish. If so it's state-listed."

Join our team as a seasonal biological science technician, supporting natural resource conservation in the park.

Application open until 1/27/2026 or 100 applications are received. Apply here:

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/854235500

01/09/2026

Teachers and Parents: when was the last time your students got out for a hike?

We have fresh air for active minds & bodies, and it's 100% free. Our field trips and interactive in-school programs bring classroom learning to life. Check out our offerings here: https://www.nps.gov/chat/learn/education

The National Park Trust's "Kids to Parks" School Grants Program provides funds to pay for school busses to bring students to parks: https://www.cybergrants.com/pls/cybergrants/quiz.display_question?x_gm_id=7616&x_quiz_id=10102&x_order_by=1&mc_cid=ffa1c88985&mc_eid=79e96962cc. Their application window closes January 30!

01/05/2026

New paid intern position open: 12-week Fish and Feathers Intern, working with Interpretation & Education programs to share the joy of fishing, birding, conservation and outdoor recreation with the public.

Start/End Dates: May 11, 2026 – July 31, 2026 Compensation: $640 per week + housing Application Due: February 1, 2026 Fish and Feathers Internship Program seeks to engage young professionals in natural resource careers. You must (additional requirements): Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. ...

12/19/2025

We're hiring! We are currently recruiting for two paid internship positions: a 6-month Interpretation and Education member and a year-long Archaeology Technician Americorps.

Both positions will work in a team environment to support public lands and the National Park Service mission, gain professional and career development, and spend lots of time in beautiful Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Archaeology Technician application: https://secure8.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=705195008

Interpretation and Education Member application (closes 12/31/2025):
https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1262194

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Interpretation and Education Member to assist Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's Interpretation & Education program, including education and public pro...