Chattahoochee River between the Abbotts Bridge and Medlock Bridge boat ramps
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Length: 4 miles
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
The Abbotts Bridge to Medlock Bridge section of the Chattahoochee River is a very calm, slow moving section, perfect for the beer drinking crowd. All raft rental companies service this area. It is also the first section of the river (counting from the north) on which you run into civilization, as evident from the mansions that dot the shoreline. There are even two golf courses that run along the river.
Mansion along the Chattahoochee River between the Abbotts Bridge and Medlock Bridge boat ramps
Oddly enough, despite the urbanization, there’s plenty of wildlife along this section. In fact, this wouldn’t be a bad trip for a wildlife photographer, as the river is calm enough that you can pull out your expensive camera without fear of capsizing your boat and ending up in the water. I spotted a few blue herons along the way. If you have ever wondered where the sound effects guys dreamed up the screeches that pterodactyls make in the Hollywood movies, annoy one of these giant birds to the point that it has to fly off and you’ll wonder no further. Just watching the bird fly away will remind you of prehistoric times. I also passed dozens of turtles sunning themselves while perched on tree limbs that had fallen into the river. They look as if somebody had left a saucer-like World War 1 U. S. Doughboy helmet on a tree limb, that’s how big some of these get. Point your boat in their direction and coast in silently and you can get pretty darn close before they jump into the water.
Blue heron in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
For those without a second car to park at one end of your journey, it would be very possible to paddle up- or downstream from either Abbotts Bridge or Medlock Bridge and return back to your starting point. Also, the river is deeper in this area, so watch out for motorboats. Most are courteous to paddlers and slow down when approaching, but you never know who has been drinking. Thus, if you see a motor boat coming, paddle towards the shore and out of the way.
Medlock Bridge boat ramp, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
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Last updated on April 30, 2024
