Hiking Trails | Mountain Bike Trails | Canoe Launch | Picnic Areas | Historic Ruins | Directions
The National Park Service divides the Cochran Shoals unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area into four areas: Sope Creek, Columns Drive, Interstate North, and Powers Island. The first three are on the west side of the river and can be hiked / biked as one unit without problem. Sope Creek is the northern most section, Columns Drive is the middle section, and Interstate North is the southernmost section. Each has its own entrance. The Powers Island area is on the east side of the river, so you have to drive to a separate entrance to get to it.
The Sope Creek area does not lie along the Chattahoochee River, while the other three areas do. However, the Powers Island section is the only one with a canoe launch. No section has a boat ramp to launch a motorized boat from a trailer. All units have hiking trails. Biking is allowed on some of the trails in the western section of the park.
For those interested in Civil War History, Sope Creek marks the first place during the Civil War that Federal troops crossed the Chattahoochee River (July 8, 1864). A few days earlier they burned the paper mill that manufactured, among other things, paper for Confederate money. The mill ruins are the most extensive in the entire Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Notice that on the historic marker that Sope Creek is spelled “Soap Creek.” This was the original spelling, and it is the way the creek is pronounced today despite being spelled S-O-P-E.
There is a small fee to enter any of the park units. Day passes and annual Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area passes are available. The day pass is good for entrance into as many park units as you can get to in a day, but it is good for only one day. Annual National Park Passes are also good for entry. For current fees, see the the park’s Fees and Passes web page.
You can purchase a pass at the Island Ford Visitor Center (credit or debit card only, no cash) or online at Recreation.gov, either in advance or at the park using the Internet and your cell phone. Cash is no longer accepted at the park units. If purchasing a day pass online, you enter your license plate number when purchasing. This is how the park Rangers know which vehicles are parked legally. Park Rangers sporadically patrol the parking lots and will issue tickets for those who have not paid. Keep in mind that this is an entrance fee, not a parking fee, so you need a pass even if you walk or bike into the park. If asked by a Ranger, you must be able to show a hard copy pass or a digital pass on your phone.
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Last updated on May 8, 2024