There’s a hidden gem in Atlanta – the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Admission is $3 a person or get in free with your National Park pass. You can hike down to the river, trout fish and more. We saw lots of deer, turtles and geese. The kids earned another Junior Ranger badge. They also have Passport stamps.
What to expect:
The Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center is gorgeous. Hidden in the woods removed from the urban area of Atlanta, the lodge is landscaped in a way that really blends in with the essence of the natural area. A short walk from the lodge down to the river will lead you through a canopy of trees, foliage and plenty of areas for the kids to explore or look for wildlife.
Don’t miss the displays inside the lodge. We did a majority of the Junior Ranger book requirements using the displays located just inside the lodge. Some of the activities required hiking etc.
Badges:
There are different badges for different age groups. We received a patch
Hiking:
There are a ton of trails in the Chattahoochee system. If you’re there during the summer be sure to use bug spray. The hiking is easy although it’s not even so if stability or smooth paths are a requirement you might skip the hikes.
Park map:
As I mentioned earlier there are a number of spots to explore the area. Go here to see the full map and save it to your phone.
Bonus tip:
While you’re in the area visit Dunwoody Nature Center it’s free, peaceful and fun little side adventure for the kids. The lower garden area is gorgeous. In fact you could just skip the inside and just walk around the outdoor area and check out their giant teepee.
