Located an hour outside of Atlanta in the beautiful forests of west-central Georgia, Chattahoochee Bend State Park encompasses almost 3,000 acres and is an idyllic vacation destination for RV campers. The picturesque Chattahoochee River winds for five miles through the northern edge of the park, inviting paddlers, anglers and bird-watchers alike.
The majestic river provides a stunning backdrop for all sorts of outdoor activities. You can rent kayaks for a leisurely float along the river or head out an adventurous paddle trip. The park sports eight remote sites that are only reachable by hiking or paddling. Outdoor lovers can also enjoy over 12 miles of hiking trails and three miles of biking trails.
If you park your RV at the Visitor Center, be sure to check out the park's incredible butterfly garden, where you can see and learn about all sorts of native butterflies and caterpillars. The whole family can enjoy a guided hike, running around at the playground, or enjoying a serene picnic by the river. If you wish to stay overnight, Chattahoochee Bend State Park offers top-notch camping facilities including 37 campsites for tents and RVs, camper cabins, and back-country camping areas.
Looking for more to explore? There's plenty to do in the vicinity of Chattahoochee Bend too. Nearby parks and reserves include F.D. Roosevelt State Park and Indian Springs State Park in Georgia, and Talladega National Forest in Alabama.
Chattahoochee Bend State Park is located just about an hour from Atlanta off of I-85 and State Route 34. You shouldn’t have any trouble getting to the park since the roads are flat and level, although you’ll want to drive slow on any narrow local roads. Once inside the park navigating should be a breeze. Roads within the park are suitable for RVs and trailers. Just keep in mind that the park is located in a forested area, so watch out for fallen tree branches or limbs, and be careful of slippery leaves during the fall.
Most of the spots at Chattahoochee Bend's main RV/trailer campground are back-in. Few should have trouble maneuvering into their spot, though, so long as their rig is under the length limits. Spots are all well-spaced from each other. There's also some extra parking right along the river, where the Riverside Trailhead and the park's boat launch are located.
Chattahoochee Bend State Park's main campground is just a short walk from the river and features gorgeous sites set on tree-lined lawns. Spread across two small loops, the campsite has 37 top-notch RV-friendly sites. Most offer 30- and 50-amp electric hookups and water hookups. There are also several host campsites that offer full hookups, which include electric, water, and sewer connections.
All of these campsites are pet-friendly, and most can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long. You can enjoy a cozy home-cooked meal right at your campsite thanks to the fire pit, grill, and picnic table provided. It's easy to set up your rig since each site is paved and well-spaced from each other Restrooms and showers are centrally located. A dump station is also located close by.
Reservations can be made online, up to 13 months in advance. If you plan on arriving during the busy summer season, a reservation is highly recommended.
If you come to Chattahoochee Bend State Park without a reservation, don’t despair, you might be able to snag a campsite! Some campsites that are not reserved become available on a first-come, first-served basis. Keep in mind, though, that there are only 37 campsites for RVs and trailers so reservations are recommended, especially during the peak season.
Geocaching is all about using your GPS or smartphone to hunt for secret areas or places with hidden objects and messages that other people have left there. The aim of the game is to find caches that hold containers of small trinkets. Usually, you can sign a logbook or take one of the small trinkets, as long as you replace it with something of similar value. Make sure to put the cache back right where you found it to keep the game going. Chattahoochee is a gorgeous place to explore, and geocaching is a great way to see lots of the park.
Scenic waters and great fishing draw anglers of all sorts to Chattahoochee Bend State Park. There are plenty of great spots to fish from the shore, many of them just a stone's throw from the main campground. If you're up for a short trek, take your pole for a hike up the Riverside Trail, where you'll find no shortage of quiet, out-of-the-way fishing spots. Trout, bass, and catfish are the most common catches around here. Wherever you end up casting your line, make sure you have a Georgia state fishing license first.
There seems to be always something to do at Chattahoochee Bend State Park, even during the park's slower off-season. Eagle watching is tremendously popular during the winter months. There is a short, ranger-led hike that takes you up to a point where you can easily see eagles and their young in the wild. The park's woods provide a perfect nesting ground for bald eagles and other birds, and the hike itself isn’t too strenuous for all ages and abilities.
Those looking for a bit more adventure, and solitude, should check out Chattahoochee's walk-in/paddle-in sites. These primitive, tent-only spots are located along a gorgeous stretch of the park's namesake river. Tall oaks and hickories create a shady canopy and there's plenty of greenery along the river's edge.
Each site has a large wooden platform that can accommodate several tents - other than that, amenities are primitive. There are no restrooms, electric, or water hookups.
This beautiful and remote camping area can be reached in one of two ways. Hikers can pack in their gear along a 5.5-mile trail that heads north from near the main campground area. Or, campers can hit the water. Paddle up the Chattahoochee after putting in near the River Side Trailhead. Reservations for paddle/hike-in sites can be made over the park's online booking system.
Just to the south of the main campground, also right on the banks of the Chattahoochee, are eight tent-only platform camping sites. These are similar to the park's backcountry sites, expect they are just a short walk from the main campground, so campers have access to some extra amenities. Reservations for platform sites can be made over the park's online booking system.
In addition to its many camping options, Chattahoochee Bend also boasts three cozy "adventure cabins." These charming wooden abodes are set apart from the main campground, offering plenty of quietude in addition to wonderful sylvan views. Though humble on the outside, the cabin's interiors are well furnished - three beds with linens, a full kitchen with a fridge and dining area, and modern restrooms are standard. The cabins also have screened-in porches, a great place to enjoy a warm summer evening while staying clear of bugs.
Cabins can sleep up to eight. One of the three cabins is pet-friendly and ADA-accessible, while the other two are not. Reservations can be made over the park's online booking system.
A scenic group campsite with a slight twist, Chattahoochee's Adirondack group camping area is set in a clearing surrounded by stately pines. The site features four "Adirondack-style" shelters - similar to shelters found along the Appalachian Trail, these structures have three wooden sides, one screened-in side and a roof overhead. Campers can lay out sleeping bags, or even set up tents, on the shelters' wooden floors. Of course, there are plenty of great spots to sleep out under the stars, too.
The group camping area has a large fire ring with seating, several extra picnic tables, electrical hookups, grills, and a basic vault toilet. Shelters are all ADA-accessible, and the site can host up to 32 visitors. The Adirondack Group Camping area, like all other overnight accommodations within the park, can be reserved online.
Chattahoochee Bend offers kayak and canoe rentals, allowing visitors to travel along the breathtaking Chattahoochee River. The waters here are wide and calm, making for great paddling, even for novices. Keep your eyes peeled for herons, egrets, eagles, and kingfishers, and turtles.
If you're looking for an overnight river adventure, pack up your gear and paddle to the park's hike/paddle-in camping spots. If you're looking to launch something larger into the river, the park has a boat ramp located right near the main campground.
Along the river, you can access a two-story-high observation tower on foot. This is the perfect place to relax, enjoy the views, and take some great photos. The high point is particularly scenic during fall when the mixed hardwood canopy blazes with oranges, yellows, and reds. The access trail to the observation trail is pretty mellow, and shouldn't pose much of a challenge to even novice hikers and young kids.
There are over three miles of biking trails at Chattahoochee Bend State Park. Explore the park on two-wheels, coasting through forest-lined paths and taking in gorgeous river views. If you're traveling with kids, make sure you pack a helmet; Georgia state law requires riders under 15 to wear a helmet while riding.
