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Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,351 Google reviews · Running trail in Sandy Springs, Georgia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Peaceful riverside park offering a range of trails plus rafting, fishing & other activities.
What runners say about Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
“Its well maintained signs are clear and the Welcome Center has great staff to share information/ history and so much more.”
“Scenic trail that follows the river well with boulders and natural rock lining the path.”
“It was clean, well-maintained and peaceful with a lovely creek and lots of shade.”
I love Island Ford. I love even more that it's in my backyard. I come here frequently for various outdoor activities. Mostly, everyone in passing is friendly. Hiking the trails is a must. There is also a ramp and dock, which I use for paddleboarding. I also enjoy the rock work and hills for RC rock crawling.
This trail is going on my bookmarks. I had a great time hiking the 2 trails at Island Ford Park today. It was clean, well-maintained and peaceful with a lovely creek and lots of shade. Dog friendly and great for hiking alone or in a group, I highly recommend visiting the park in the evening.
Nice hilly trails with nice views oh the river. I saw some good places to swim but not sure about the safety of it cleanliness wise. I saw many fishermen wading here. There's a cool large overhanging rock that's interesting to see. There's a lot of water fowl that hang out on the rocks in the river.
This is one of our favorite parks in the area! Great trails for walking, running and walking your dog, like we do. We especially love the trails along the river. Breathtaking views and a special treat to see all the wildlife. The trails are well marked and they try to keep them clean.
Trail conditions & character
“Scenic trail that follows the river well with boulders and natural rock lining the path.”
“Parking is $5/day or free with the Annual pass or America the beautiful pass.”
“A rustic treasure By any measure River path is mostly flat Noticed Joros but no gnats Other paths go thru the hills Not too strenuous but you’ll need ur will”
“It was clean, well-maintained and peaceful with a lovely creek and lots of shade.”
“Dog friendly and great for hiking alone or in a group, I highly recommend visiting the park in the evening.”
“A rustic treasure By any measure River path is mostly flat Noticed Joros but no gnats Other paths go thru the hills Not too strenuous but you’ll need ur will”
“The park visitor's center is really nice and has knowledgeable and friendly park officers, as well as clean restrooms.”
“Amenities: Wheelchair accessible entrance and parking, pet waste stations & picnic tables”
“The rocky stream crossing almost took me out, but I returned and defeated it on the way back.”
Plan your run at Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitenps.gov
- Phone(678) 538-1200
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Sandy Springs
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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