All parks › Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Private vehicle entrance
- $5[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- June[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 2,901,903[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a National Park System unit in Georgia[5]. NPS lists a $5 entrance fee for a private vehicle[1], and the park lands close shortly after sunset[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
| Fee or pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Per Person[7] | $5 |
| Private Vehicle[1] | $5 |
| Motorcycle[8] | $5 |
| Annual Entrance - Park[9] | $40 |
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[10].
Entrance fee payment is cashless (card or mobile payment)[11].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[12] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[12] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[12] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[12] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[12] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[12] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[12] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS says visitors can use the park lands and waters daily, starting 30 minutes before sunrise and ending 30 minutes after sunset[6]. The Island Ford Visitor Center opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm daily, except Thanksgiving Day and December 25[6]. In 2025, the busiest month was June with 342,981 recreation visits, and the quietest was January with 118,322[2]. NPS describes summers as warm and humid, with average highs in the lower 90's[13]. Winters are more variable, with average lows in the mid 30's[13]. Spring and autumn change a lot from day to day and year to year, according to NPS[13].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 118,322 |
| February | 174,617 |
| March | 205,649 |
| April | 209,091 |
| May | 284,660 |
| June | 342,981 |
| July | 326,491 |
| August | 273,100 |
| September | 288,072 |
| October | 238,982 |
| November | 226,706 |
| December | 213,232 |
Pets and dogs
The national NPS rule says pets must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less, where pets are allowed[14]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[14]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so check the official park page for local limits[14].
Before you go
- NPS lists entrance fees of $5 per person on foot or bicycle for visitors age 16 and up[7]. A private vehicle also pays $5[1].
- Entrance fees are cashless, so plan to use a card or mobile payment[11].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[12].
- NPS lists a park Annual Entrance pass at $40, sold online or at the Island Ford Visitor Center[9].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm them on the official park page before your trip.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee?
- NPS lists $5 for a private vehicle[1], $5 for a motorcycle[8], and $5 per person on foot or bicycle for visitors age 16 and up[7]. Each fee is valid for one day[7].
- Does the park take cash?
- According to NPS, entrance fees are cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment[11].
- Does the America the Beautiful pass work here?
- Yes, the park accepts the America the Beautiful pass for entrance[10]. NPS lists the Senior Annual Pass at $20[12].
Facts and sources
- Entrance fee, Private Vehicle: $5. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 3,256,151, 2022: 3,537,848, 2023: 3,183,081, 2024: 2,940,804, 2025: 2,901,903. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Island Ford Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Recreation Area) in Georgia. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Park Hours: The park lands and waters are open for visitation from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. The Island Ford Visitor Center located in historic Hewlett Lodge is open from 9 am to 5 pm seven... National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $5. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Motorcycle: $5. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $40. National Park Service
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- Entrance fees at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area are cashless (cards or mobile payment, no cash) according to NPS. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15