Hike at Island Ford

Join us for a hike at Island Ford Park! This is a lovely area in Sandy Springs, within the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. Along the hike are some lovely views of the river. Some wildlife, such as ducks, geese, reptiles, and birds of prey, can be spotted here. There are also some interesting rock outcrops than can make for fun photos.

We'll start at the middle parking lot - on the map, it looks like it is directly across from the pond (IF 9 and 10 markers are at this lot). We'll head across to the pond, then make our way towards the Vistors Center before turning north for the bulk of our hike. We'll spend some time in the hills, then make our way along the river back as we head back to the lot.

Our goal is to get in about 4 miles on this hike. There can be some rough terrain, elevation, and steep hills along this hike. While we will maintain a moderate pace and not push too hard, it is not a hike for true beginners. If you are not sure if this is an appropriate hike for you, feel free to contact the trip leader, Lyndsay, with any questions.

We will start promptly at 9:30 AM, so please arrive 10-15 minutes early. This will give us a chance to make introductions and snap some group photos before hitting the trails. Note that there is not a restroom at this parking lot. There is one at the Visitors Center, so please give yourself an additional 15 minutes for travel time so you can make it back to the middle lot in time for introductions/photos. Also, as this is a CRNRA unit, you'll want to be sure to bring $3 for a parking pass if you don't already have an annual pass.

The weather for this weekend is looking pretty positive so far - chilly but dry. As long as we're not expecting steady/heavy rain, we'll continue on regardless of weather. Having said that, please dress appropriately. Layers will help you stay warm without overheating as we get active, and bring rain gear if the forecast turns wet. :)

Northbound on GA 400: Take exit 6. Take a right and then another right to go onto Dunwoody Place. Go about a half mile. Turn right onto Roberts, go another half mile, and turn right onto Island Ford Parkway. Skip the first parking lot, and turn left into the next parking lot. If you see the pond on the right, you've gone just a bit too far. 

Southbound on GA 400: Take exit 6. Go straight to stay on Dunwoody Place. Once on Dunwoody, go about a half mile. Turn right onto Roberts, go another half mile, and turn right onto Island Ford Parkway. Skip the first parking lot, and turn left into the next parking lot. If you see the pond on the right, you've gone just a bit too far. 

For a zoomable map or satellite view of this meetup spot and vicinity, click the blue and green "Event Location" icon near the top of this article. GPS and Google Maps users: Feel free to augment these directions by entering this "Lat/Lon" as your destination address: 33.98884,-84.32540