Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Powers Island
As well as the trails marked on the official maps, there are social trails on the island. From the PI3 marker, you can walk north to the northern tip of the island and then return via a different path, making a full loop of the island.
The trails in this unit are mostly flat, other than the eastern loop between intersections PI6 & PI7, which is quite hilly.
Address: 5450 Interstate North Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Cost of admission: Free, $5/day parking fee per car
Governance: NPS
Acres: 90
Approximate miles of trails: 3
Hours: Dawn to dusk, exact park hours are posted at the trailheads
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 11
Transit directions: Take the CobbLinc 10 bus from Arts Center Station to the Cumberland Transfer Center. At the Cumberland Transfer Center, transfer to the CobbLinc 50 to Powers Ferry Rd + Rivers Apartments. Walk southeast on Powers Ferry. Take a left on the multi-use path along Interstate N Pkwy. The multi-use pathway ends at the entrance to the Cochran Shoals NPS unit. Continue straight along Interstate N Pkwy, on a sidewalk across the river for 300 feet and then in the grass on the roadside for 100 feet. The entrance to the Powers Ferry unit is on the left.
Transfers between CobbLinc (formerly Cobb Community Transit — CCT) and MARTA are free, so taking the train to and from Arts Center will not cost extra. But be aware you will need a Cobb pass or cash to board a Cobb bus when not making a transfer. Cobb trips can be added to your Breeze Card at any Breeze station.
Parking: Parking is available at the trailheads for $5/day
Trailhead(s): There are trailheads at three corners of the parking lot
Trail surface: Natural
Blazes/markings: Blue blazes along some trails. Trails are well-used and clear, other than the social trails on the island.
Guidebook mentions: Page 99 in Hiking the Hooch (1st edition); Trip 79 in Afoot & Afield Atlanta (2nd edition)
Amenities:
Restrooms
Picnic tables
Nantahala Outdoor Center outpost (river trips and rentals) (seasonal)
Watercraft launch (Note: the launch is a short walk from the parking lot. It is not a ramp that you can back a vehicle up to.)
Nearby amenities/conveniences:
Harry's Pizza & Subs at the intersection of Powers Ferry & Interstate N Pkwy (0.5 mi from trailhead)
Gas station at the intersection of Baby Does Ln & Powers Ferry (0.5 mi from trailhead)
Links:
