BOWMANS ISLAND DIRECTIONS

Bowmans Island Unit Main Page

The Bowmans Island Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is divided into a western and eastern section by the river. All trails, picnic areas, and boat ramps are located in the western section. The western section is further divided into a northern and southern section.

The eastern section allows easy access to a fishing bridge, but you can also get to the bridge from the western section along a short trail. Therefore, there is no pressing reason to park here.

WEST SIDE PARKING AREAS

There are distinct loop trails at both the north and south ends of the western section of Bowmans Island, so park accordingly. The two loops are connected, so it is possible to hike the entire west side without having to make two separate trips as long as you don’t mind a 5-mile hike. If that’s your plan, then I suggest using the Lower Pool parking lot.

Lower Pool West Park (north end)

Lower Pool West Park is at the northern end of Bowmans Island, and it is accessed via Lower Pool Road. If you are traveling east from Cumming along Buford Dam Road, Lower Pool is the first road to the right just before you start crossing the dam. The road and the parking lot are owned by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, but annual National Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area passes are valid for entry. If you don’t have a pass, you must pay the standard entrance fee, which is currently $8. Payment is made at the manned entrance station.

To get to the trails, when driving down Lower Pool Road, look for a parking lot on the right side of the road. If you get to the end where the boat ramp and picnic area are, you’ve gone too far.

Trout Place Road (south end)

Trout Place Road is located off of River Club Drive in Cumming, Georgia. This road leads through a residential area comprised of many high-dollar subdivisions. However, Trout Place Road is owned by the Department of Natural Resources, which runs the Buford Trout Hatchery located at the end of the road. There is a Bowmans Island Unit trail entrance on Trout Place Road, and shoulder parking is allowed along much of its length (signs denote the beginning and ending of the authorized parking zone). A brown sign with a fish and hook on it marks the trailhead. This is next to a private-residence driveway, and it is easy to get confused as to which is which. Stay off the driveway and walk down the dirt path that runs just to the right of it.  A fence separates the two.

Unless gold is discovered within the park, I can’t imagine all the parking spaces along the road being taken, but if so, you can also park at the trout hatchery. The hatchery is gated, and all cars must be out by 4:30 PM during the week and 3 PM on weekends or they will be locked in for the night (it opens at 8 AM during the week and 10 AM on weekends). For those who are interested, you can do a self-guided tour of the hatchery.