Thing to Do
Exploring Palisades West
Things To Do
The Palisades Unit west of the Chattahoochee River is in Cobb county. The unit consist of 302 acres with approximately 3.5 miles of trails and just over 2 miles of river shoreline. The trails are easy to difficult. Trails are beautiful throughout the year as they wind through the floodplains and atop ridges. The trails offer opportunities for jogging, bird watching, informal sports, plant identification, water quality study or quiet moments.
At the Akers Drive entrance you will find the trailhead to the trail that winds its way down hill through the woods to the river flood plain. Continue hiking along the trail and catch views of the Devils Race Course Shoals from the river’s edge. Take a break at the gravel bar and watch the boaters float by before heading back up the hill to your vehicle.
At the Paces Mill entrance you will find picnic tables and grills located beneath a canopy of hardwoods near the river. The trailhead for the Rottenwood Creek Trail is located adjacent to a large open meadow ideal for group activities. The last two boat launches as you float down the river are located here, make sure you don’t miss them.
The cold river contains 22 species of game fish, including trout. All baits are allowed (along this river section). A valid Georgia fishing license and trout stamp are required. The cold water of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, is ideal for trout, but can be dangerous to humans.
Things To See
Wildflowers bloom from March to October. The Yellow Trout Lily and the White Bloodroot signal spring's arrival. Purple Gentian braves the chill October winds at the river's edge.
Wildlife is abundant. Tracks of raccoon, muskrat, mink, beaver and otter can be found along the animal trails that lead to the river. Feathered anglers such as the Great Blue Heron, Kingfisher, Osprey and the Mallards also make the river corridor their home.
Things To Remember
Stay Safe
- Don't venture off the trails; poison ivy is abundant.
- Watch out for hypothermia, a robber of body heat.
- Wear appropriate shoes; and dress for the weather ..
- Climbing cliffs can be risky.
Protect The Resources
- All natural and cultural resources are FEDERALLY protected.
- Traveling cross country causes soil erosion and is damaging to plants.
- Bikes allowed only on roadways and paved Rottenwood Creek Trail.
- Please clean pick up pet waste and dispose of properly.
- Don’t pick flowers, leave for all to enjoy.
Obey The Law
- Please respect private property bordering the park.
- No glass containers on the river, broken glass can be harmful
- No bikes on dirt trails, visit Cochran Shoals Unit.
- Pets must be physically. restrained.
- All commercial activity must be approved by Park Superintendent.
- Park is open from one half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset.
The trails offer opportunities for jogging, bird watching, informal sports, plant identification, water quality study or quiet moments. The river offers opportunities for fishing, boating, or just relaxing and watching the river flow by.
All ages are encouraged to visit, but make sure minors are accompanied by an adult.
Dogs are allowed on the trails in the park but they must remain on a leash at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet and are required for the safety of visitors as well as the dogs themselves. Visitors must be holding the leash and in physical control of the pet at all times. Pets may not be left unattended or tied to an object. Pet owners are required to clean up after their dogs and dispose of the waste properly. Most locations have bags provided but bring extras in case they are depleted. Cleaning up after pets helps to protect the water quality of the river.
Daily Park Pass - $5.00
A Daily Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in a designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one day. You may purchase a Daily Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. Valid America The Beautiful Passes are also valid for parking in the park.
Annual Park Pass - $40.00
The Annual Park Pass allows a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) to park in any designated parking lot of the park during regular park hours for one year. You may purchase an Annual Park Pass online at Recreation.gov or in person at Island Ford Visitor Center. A valid America The Beautiful Pass are is also valid for parking in the park
America the Beautiful Pass
A valid America the Beautiful pass is acceptable for entrance to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Display it in your vehicle as you would a CRNRA Daily Pass or an CRNRA Annual Pass.
The Palisades Unit is located downstream of I-285 and just downstream of I-75 on both sides of the Chattahoochee River. The part described here refers to the part of the unit on the west side of the river in Cobb county.
Two entrances provide land access to this unit.
The park is open from one half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset.
Trails in this unit tend to range from 3' to as much as 8' in width. Along the river the trails are relatively flat but can be muddy at times. Other trails can be relatively steep.
The Rottenwood Creek Trail is paved with a pervious concreat. As it leaves the Paces Mill trailhead the trail follows the Chattahoochee and has a very slight incline. After crossing Rottenwood Creek it follow the creek uphill with some relatively steep sections until it joins the Bob Callen Trail at the park boundary.
The boat launchs at the Paces Mill entrance is ramp with a 7% to 10.5% slope..
Parking Lot
Akers Drive Parking Lot
- 64 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 33.891571, -84.444711
CRNRA Daily Pass
The CRNRA Daily Pass is valid for the date of purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable.
Cost: $5.00
CRNRA Annual Pass
The CRNRA Annual 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.
Cost: $40.00
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- No
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 8
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 64
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 0
Parking Lot
Paces Mill - Boat Ramp Parking Lot
- 6 total spaces
- 5 oversized spaces
- 33.867813, -84.454972
CRNRA Daily Pass
The CRNRA Daily Pass is valid for the date of purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable.
Cost: $5.00
CRNRA Annual Pass
The CRNRA Annual 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.
Cost: $40.00
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 1
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 0
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 6
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 5
Parking Lot
Paces Mill - Main Parking Lot
- 229 total spaces
- 0 oversized spaces
- 33.870198, -84.453659
CRNRA Annual Pass
The CRNRA Annual 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.
Cost: $40.00
CRNRA Daily Pass
The CRNRA Daily Pass is valid for the date of purchase! It admits all persons traveling in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle (car/truck/van) and is non-transferable.
Cost: $5.00
Amenities
- Accessible Lot
- Yes
- Number of ADA-designated spaces
- 14
- Number of ADA van-accessible spaces
- 2
- Number of ADA step-free spaces
- 0
- Total number of spaces
- 229
- Number of oversize vehicle spaces
- 0
Last updated: April 13, 2021