By Chase Mizell
Sandy Springs sits along a stretch of the Chattahoochee that people use for floats, paddles, and quiet afternoons with a fishing rod. The National Park Service says the river within the national recreation area is open to small boats year-round.
I pulled access points, rentals, and safety rules from the Park Service, the City of Sandy Springs, and Visit Sandy Springs.
Key Takeaways
- Access points: Visit Sandy Springs lists river access at Island Ford, Powers Island, and Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
- Life jackets: The Park Service requires an approved life jacket on board every watercraft in most park sections, and children under 13 must wear one whenever a watercraft is underway.
- Cold water: The Park Service says releases from Buford Dam are about 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rentals: The Park Service says the park does not rent boats, and outfitters must provide paddles and life jackets with every rental.
Launch Points Along the River
The National Park Service says the 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area are open to raft, canoe, kayak, motor boat, and other small boat use year-round. The river within the park is open from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, and jet skis are not permitted.
Sandy Springs Access Points
- Morgan Falls Overlook Park: The City of Sandy Springs says its floating dock gives public access to the river upstream of Morgan Falls Dam.
- Powers Island: Nantahala Outdoor Center lists its Powers Island location at 5450 Interstate North Parkway and says a $3 parking fee is payable to the National Park Service.
- Island Ford: Visit Sandy Springs lists Island Ford as an access point where outfitter rafts can launch.
Visit Sandy Springs and the city give different street addresses for Morgan Falls Overlook Park, so confirm the address in your map app. The Park Service lists a separate launch at 100 Morgan Falls Road for trailered boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes.
Float Distances From Morgan Falls
The Park Service page for the Morgan Falls River Park launch lists distances to several take-outs. It also says dam releases raise the water at the park immediately, with no audible warning.
Distances From the Morgan Falls Launch
- Johnson Ferry: The page lists 1.8 miles from the launch.
- Powers Island: The page lists 6 miles, with no trailer access.
- Paces Mill: The page lists 8.6 miles for the canoe take-out and 8.8 miles for the boat take-out.
Visit Sandy Springs says the outfitter tubing trip starts at Powers Island, runs about three and a half miles, and takes about half a day. The Park Service says Paces Mill is the last take-out in the park, a short distance downstream from the I-75 underpass on the west side.
Outfitters and Rentals
The Park Service says the park does not rent boats, and outfitters rent canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes for day use. Outfitters must provide paddles and life jackets with all rentals.
Outfitters and Listed Prices
- Nantahala Outdoor Center: The center’s page lists tubing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, rafting, and inflatable kayaks at Powers Island, with hours varying seasonally.
- Rates: An undated Visit Sandy Springs guide lists tube rentals from $25, rafts from $35 per adult, and kayaks from $35 for a half day at the center.
- Morgan Falls rentals: The same guide lists single kayaks and paddleboards at $25 per hour from a paddle shack at the park.
The two local sources name the Morgan Falls outfitter differently, so confirm who operates there. Call ahead for current hours and prices.
Life Jackets, Cold Releases, and Flow Limits
The Park Service requires a Coast Guard-approved life jacket to be worn between Buford Dam and the GA 20 bridge and between Morgan Falls Dam and the Morgan Falls boat ramp. On other sections, one must be on board for each person, and children under 13 must wear one whenever a watercraft is underway.
Cold Water, Flow, and Bacteria
- Cold releases: The Park Service says Buford Dam releases are about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and that exhaustion or unconsciousness can occur in less than 30 minutes.
- Flow limits: The Morgan Falls launch page advises canceling kayaking above 4,000 cubic feet per second, rafting above 5,000, and tubing above 2,500.
- Bacteria: The same page says to check the USGS E. coli estimate first, and a count above 235 at Paces Ferry Road means an increased risk of illness.
A June 2023 Park Service release described a partial closure from the Chattahoochee Nature Center to Johnson Ferry after elevated E. coli. The Park Service also says never to dive or jump in the river and never to drink its water.
Anglers and the Georgia Trout Stamp
The Park Service says the river is fished for trout, bass, catfish, and other species. Its fishing page, last updated in April 2021, says Georgia law requires anglers 16 and older to hold a fishing license on the river.
Rules on the Park Page
- Trout stamp: Resident anglers ages 16 to 64 and nonresident anglers 16 or older need a trout stamp, the page says.
- Hours: Anglers may fish from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset, and night fishing is not allowed.
- Bait: Live baitfish are prohibited in the park, and trout anglers must use one hand-held pole and line.
The page also lists fish consumption advisories, including one meal per week of black bass between Morgan Falls Dam and Peachtree Creek because of mercury. Rules change, so check the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division before you go.
FAQs
Where are the launch points for boating Chattahoochee River Sandy Springs GA offers?
Visit Sandy Springs lists access at Island Ford, Powers Island, and Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The Park Service also lists a launch at 100 Morgan Falls Road for trailered boats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, and tubes. Night boating is not permitted in the park.
Do I have to wear a life jacket?
A worn life jacket is required between Buford Dam and the GA 20 bridge and between Morgan Falls Dam and the Morgan Falls boat ramp. On other sections, one must be on board for each person. Children under 13 must wear one whenever a watercraft is underway.
Should I check water quality before getting in?
The Park Service says to check the USGS E. coli estimate before you start, and it does not recommend contact with the river when the count is high. It also says not to drink river water. Closures can change, so check the Park Service site for current status.
Contact Chase Mizell Today
Contact me, Chase Mizell, to talk about Sandy Springs homes near the river access points on this list.
