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A leaf-covered path between tall bare trees on a sunny winter day

Photo: TranceMist from Atlanta, USA · CC BY 2.0, cropped to fit and resized

A trail through the bare winter woods at Island Ford

Chattahoochee Riverwildflowers

National Recreation Area

At Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Trout lilies, serviceberry and redbuds bloom in early spring, followed by azaleas, trillium and coreopsis, per the National Park Service (a season, not a peak). Its usual window for this year has passed.

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Local timing
Early spring

About the Chattahoochee River

What it is
A National Recreation Area in Georgia
A little history
Yes: the contact station in the historic Hewlett Lodge is accessible, with restrooms and a drinking fountain.Island Ford: The park's contact station and headquarters in the historic Hewlett Lodge, accessible, with restrooms and a drinking fountain
What you'll see
Spring wildflowers · early spring (a season)
Before you go
  • Water: Check dam releases first: river conditions change daily.
Sources (3)

Right now on the Chattahoochee River

Right now on the Chattahoochee River · October

  • Fall's changing leaves · fall

Your guide to the area

Best spots and nearby places
Places on this map (4)
Map: approximate positions; state lines US Census; spot positions agency pages. Outside the map: Cherokee National Forest, Nantahala National Forest.

Best spots around Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

  • Island Ford

    Best spot

    The park's contact station and headquarters in the historic Hewlett Lodge, accessible, with restrooms and a drinking fountain

    National Park Service ↗

  • Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive)

    Best spot

    One of the park's trail units, with its own trail map

    National Park Service ↗

Around the Chattahoochee River

In season first, then nearest; straight-line miles

Next season here: Spring wildflowers, early spring.

The year on the Chattahoochee River

  • Trout lilies, serviceberry and redbuds bloomearly spring
  • Azaleas, trillium and coreopsis followafter early spring
  • Cardinal flowers, sumac and goldenrodlate summer
  • Fall's changing leavesNowfall

Questions people ask

When is peak wildflowers in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in 2027?

Season: early spring. Trout lilies, serviceberry and redbuds bloom in early spring, followed by azaleas, trillium and coreopsis, per the National Park Service (a season, not a peak).

Is it blooming in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area right now?

Not now: its usual wildflowers window for this year has passed. Next time: early spring, local timing.

When do wildflowers bloom along the Chattahoochee River?

Trout lilies, serviceberry and redbuds bloom in early spring, followed by azaleas, trillium and coreopsis. In late summer, cardinal flowers and scarlet sumacs turn red alongside goldenrod and ironwood.Source: National Park Service, Plants ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Why should I check the water before going to the Chattahoochee River?

Water conditions change every day with releases from Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam.Source: National Park Service, Current Conditions ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Does Island Ford on the Chattahoochee River have restrooms?

Yes: the contact station in the historic Hewlett Lodge is accessible, with restrooms and a drinking fountain.Source: National Park Service, Accessibility ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Where are the best spots in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area?

The best spots are Island Ford and Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive). Island Ford: the park's contact station and headquarters in the historic Hewlett Lodge, accessible, with restrooms and a drinking fountain. Cochran Shoals (Columns Drive): one of the park's trail units, with its own trail map.

What is Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area like through the year?

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area has something to see in 7 months of the year. Trout lilies, serviceberry and redbuds bloom: Mar–Apr. Azaleas, trillium and coreopsis follow: Apr–May. Cardinal flowers, sumac and goldenrod: Aug–Sep. Fall's changing leaves: Oct–Nov.

How we know · Sources (4)

How we know

National Park Service, Plants (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · National Park Service, Current Conditions (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · National Park Service, Accessibility (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) · National Park Service, Maps (opens in a new tab) (Oct 3) National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.

All our sources and how we use them →