View of the Chattahoochee along the Island Ford Trails at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The trail system of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area’s Island Ford is comprised of a north and south section. The Island Ford South map covers the trails between the Visitor Center and Beech Creek, while the Island Ford North map covers the trails in the section of the park near Roberts Drive and Highway 400. There is also a detailed map of the trails near the Visitor Center called Island Ford Hewlett.
Maps appear in stands at each intersection of the trail, but the South map on display is an older version that is not drawn correctly. This leads to confusion at intersection IF 17. A corrected map is available here on National Park Planner, and you can also get one at the Island Ford Visitor Center.
Island-Ford-Hewlett-Map (PDF)
Island-Ford-South-Map (PDF)
Island-Ford-North-Map (PDF)
Island Ford Loop Hike
Length: 5.1-mile loop
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate: flat along the river but hilly when hiking inland
While you can create a hike of your own through the Island Ford Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, I have concocted a 5.1-mile loop hike that covers both the northern and southern sections of the park. The hike starts at IF 2 (see the trail map below) along a sidewalk that runs down the left side of the Visitor Center. When you get towards the backside of the building you can either continue on the sidewalk, which veers right towards the picnic area at IF 3, or take the steps to a steep trail that leads down to a small creek. Take the steps. The trail passes a picnic shelter and eventually come out at IF 13 at the bottom of the hill. If you look to your right, you can see the Chattahoochee River, so head that way. Once at the river, turn left to cross a footbridge that spans Pond Creek (IF 12). You will now be hiking along the river.
Island Ford Hike-Hewlett Map (click to enlarge)
Concrete path on the left side of the Island Ford Visitor Center, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The trail follows the Chattahoochee River all the way to Beech Creek, and during this stretch it is very wide and flat.
Typical terrain on the Island Ford unit trail along the Chattahoochee River between intersections IF 12 and IF 11, Chattahoochee River National Recreation area
Unfortunately, good views of the river are not that common due to trees and shrubs blocking the view, but there are plenty of short side trails that take you right down to the water.
Typical view of the Chattahoochee River from the trail at the Island Ford Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Path from the Island Ford Unit trail leads down to the bank of the Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River at the Island Ford unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Pass by IF 11, which is an intersection with a trail that leads to one of the Island Ford Visitor Center parking lots, and continue towards IF 14, and then on to IF 16 and 22.
Southern portion of the Island Ford Unit hike
There are a few rock shelters along the way; feel free to climb into them and explore. One is so cave-like that I expected to run into a bear taking a nap.
Cave shelter along the river trail at the Island Ford unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The hike along the river ends at Beech Creek, .8 mile from the Visitor Center. Just before reaching the creek is IF 22. Your next destination is IF 17, so you can turn left here or continue straight until the trail dead ends at a deep ravine created by the creek. I suggest hiking to the ravine because it is worth the one-minute trip to see it. You do not have to return to IF 22 to continue the hike but can instead take a left at the ravine and follow the creek. Just a short ways down you will merge back onto the official trail that forked off at IF 22.
Keep walking for about .2 mile along Beech Creek until you come to a point where fallen trees block the path and the trail appears to end. Look back sharply to your left and you will see a switch-back trail that leads up a steep hill to a ridge that runs high above a creek. This is where the trail continues.
Switchback up a steep hill as the Island Ford Unit trail leaves Beech Creek prior to intersection IF 17, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
In another five minutes or so you will come to intersection IF 17 (one mile into the hike). This is a very confusing intersection because the trail map on display is the old version that shows IF 17 as a four-way intersection and omits IF 18, which you can see about 100 feet to your left (as noted, the map on this page is the correct one). If you do not have a corrected version handy, all you need to do is keep the trail from IF 17 to your back and take the trail to the right. There are two steps to walk down, and then the trail heads uphill to IF 21 and the parking lot near the entrance to the Island Ford Unit. You’ll know you are heading the right way if Beech Creek is down in the valley to your right. This section is a delight to hike as it follows the ridge line and provides scenic views of the creek below. It is hilly, and the last quarter mile before the parking lot is uphill all the way, but the climb is only moderate in difficulty.
Island Ford Unit trail runs along a ridge above Beech Creek between intersections IF 17 and IF 21, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
In a tenth of a mile the trail appears to end at a spot where there are many rocks. You actually make a right turn and cross over Beech Creek on some stepping stones (the trail didn’t cross the creek earlier because of the deep ravine). Shortly after the creek crossing is the start of the .25-mile uphill climb to the parking lot that I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Total distance to the parking lot is 1.4 miles.
Island Ford Trail appears to end at some rocks near intersection IF 21, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The trailhead for the northern trail, which is officially called the Sandy Springs Trail, is marked by three information panels located next to the parking lot. You can hike this section on its own by parking here instead of at the Visitor Center, but the trail really isn’t that scenic, and the loop section approaches so close to Highway 400 that traffic noise drowns out the sounds of nature. The only thing it has going for it is its lack of popularity, so if you are looking to avoid any crowds, this is the trail to hike. I only saw two people, whereas I passed dozens while hiking the trails at the southern end of the park.
Start of the hike at the northern end of the Island Ford Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The Sandy Springs Trail is what I call a “lollipop” trail, meaning that you travel out on the “stick” portion of the lollipop before coming to the loop at the end. The stick is one-mile long, while the loop portion is .75 mile, making the total distance of this segment of the hike 2.75 miles.
Island Ford North Hike Map (click to enlarge)
The Sandy Springs Trail is pretty straightforward, and there are no confusing intersections where you can get lost. Just a few minutes from the start, the trail crosses a small road and continues on the other side at your 2 o’clock position (IF 30). I believe the road is the border of the National Park Service property—the trail does venture out of the park and into county park land for a short distance. For the next .75 mile, the trail is hilly, with more downhill that uphill sections; of course the opposite is true on the way back, so there is nothing to get excited about. The terrain levels out when the trail once again comes within sight distance of the Chattahoochee River.
Steep hill at the northern section of the Island Ford Unit trail system, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The start of the loop is at IF 32. Being a loop, you can go either left of right, but there may be less uphill climbing if you hike in the clockwise direction (left). You will come to one intersection along the way that leads to Roberts Road, but since there is no parking at the road, I don’t know why this side trail was created.
A portion of the loop runs along the Chattahoochee River, but the view is mainly blocked by vegetation. I could see the water during my fall hike, but I suspect that once the leaves are back on the trees that glimpses of the river are few and far between.
View of the Chattahoochee River from the loop section of the trail at the northern end of the Island Ford Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Once you return back to the parking lot, you will have hiked roughly four miles. I decided to avoid hiking back the same way I came (to IF 17), so I made a nice loop by walking along the main road (Island Ford Parkway) until I came to a trailhead that led back to the lower area trails (IF 20). To do this, walk out to the main road and take a left; you can see the entrance into the Island Ford Unit to your right. The road is wide, not very busy, and even has a lane for hikers and bikers, so it is as safe as you can get when it comes to walking on a road. It is .2 mile to the trailhead, which is marked with a trail sign and an information panel.
Return trip map (click to enlarge)
Island Ford Parkway, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Intersection IF 20 on the Island Ford Unit trails at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
No sooner had I gotten back on the trail at IF 20 than I was greeted by dozens of trees that had been snapped in two. A tornado must have hit this area, for the place looked like a logging camp. The National Park Service has cut sections out of any downed trees that fell across the trail, so you don’t have to climb over them. I usually don’t mention aspects of a trail that may be temporary, but I get the feeling that these logs are here to stay.
Area of destruction near intersection IF 20 on the Island Ford Unit trails at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
The distance between IF 20 and IF 19 is .2 mile. Take a left at the IF 19 intersection and continue on to IF 14, which is another .4 mile ahead. This is the steepest section of the hike, with most of it being downhill. It is a mix of narrow paths along a ridge and wider paths like those you find along the Chattahoochee River. There are a lot of roots on this segment, so be careful not to twist an ankle.
The trail eventually reaches the bottom of a ravine and follows Summerbrook Creek, which flows in the direction of the Chattahoochee and eventually empties into it; you can see the river in the far distance. At one point you must cross the creek on steeping stones, and the path becomes faint on the other side. There appears to be a trail going up a steep hill as well as one that follows right along the creek—follow the creek. The trail rises high above the water at one point, and the path is so narrow and close to the ledge that one false step may lead to a fall far below, and if you don’t end up dead, you will certainly suffer sever injuries. Furthermore, not only are there a lot of roots on this section, but also rocks as well. Fortunately, the dangerous part doesn’t last long.
Summerbrook Creek near intersection IF 14 on the Island Ford Unit trails at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
When you reach IF 14, take a right to head back to the Visitor Center. The only thing to be aware of at this point is to be sure to take the immediate right after crossing the bridge over Pond Creek. The turn is easy to forget. However, if you miss it, you’ll just end up at the picnic area behind the Visitor Center. It’s not that big of a deal, but it is a little out of the way.
Island Ford Unit trail follows the Chattahoochee River to the picnic area at intersection IF12, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
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Last updated on May 13, 2024
