Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area | SETTLES BRIDGE UNIT

Settles Bridge unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Settles Bridge unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area


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The Settles Bridge Unit of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area extends nearly five miles along the river, yet access by car and foot amounts to a parking area and about a mile or so of riverside trails. The rest of the unit can be accessed by river only, and of course if you are traveling down the river you probably couldn’t care less about what unit of the Recreation Area you are floating by, nor could you tell from the river.

There are no picnic tables at this unit, though this didn’t seem to keep the picnickers away. Being only a few river miles down from the Buford Dam, the water is quite clear. As a result, you may find sun bathers, swimmers, picnickers, and fishermen at this park unit. The unit does have river access for hand-launched watercraft (no trailer-launched boats). For those who like history, the remains of the Settles Bridge from the late 1800s still spans the river.

There is a 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 (leave it on your car dashboard with the date / signature side up). 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 23, 2024
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