Escaping into Atlanta’s Bamboo Forest
Getting There
The bamboo forest sits along the East Palisades Trail inside the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: about 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta in average traffic.
There are two entrances: Indian Trail and Whitewater Creek. We parked at the Indian Trail entrance. Plug this into your GPS: 1425 Indian Trail NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30327.
Keep in Mind: you’ll turn off the residential road onto a gravel road and immediately think you’re lost. You’re not. Stay on it. The parking lot is about 4 minutes down, and the road gets narrow: one car wide in spots, so slow down and be ready to pull over if someone’s coming the other way.
I went on a Tuesday morning around 10:30 and the parking lot was not packed. The other times I went it was on a weekend, so you know it was crowded.
Fees
Passes are $5 and valid for one day at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Buy ahead at Recreation.gov or scan the QR code posted at the parking lot before you head out.
The Hike and Experience
The trail markers are easy to spot and the path is straightforward: no navigation stress here. Families were out in full force when we visited, so bring the kids.
And bring the dog. The park allows leashed dogs (6 ft max), and they were everywhere. Marker 1 sits right on the bank of the Chattahoochee: shallow water, happy dogs. Sam would have loved it, but he’s gotten too old for the rooty part of the trail.
There are markers on the trails to help hikers navigate, so although the trails meander, it’s easy to find your way.
A few spots worth stopping for:
EP-1: The river bank where the dogs swim and splash while everyone else takes a breather on the shore. If you have a dog, they will not let you walk past this one.
EP-5: A rock outcropping above the Chattahoochee with a view worth sitting down for. Good picnic spot.
EP-10 to EP-14: Somewhere between these two markers you’ll hit Poppi’s Point: an overlook with skyline views of Atlanta and the river rushing below. Bring your camera. Or your easel. No judgment either way.
Here are a few places you don’t want to miss.
EP-1 – A watery dog park where the fur babies can swim and splash with each other as their parents chill out on the beach.
EP 5 – A beautiful rock outcropping overlooking the rushing Chattahoochee. This is a perfect spot for a picnic.
Between EP-10 & EP14 – Between these points, you’ll find beautiful views of Atlanta. Bring your camera (or your easel and paints) to capture the scene from Poppi’s Point, an overlook where you can see the tall buildings nearby, as well as a bird’s eye view of the rushing water below.
Marker E-26 is where the bamboo forest is.
Here’s the route that I took:
Followed the road and on the left side you’ll see the trail that will take you to marker EP 21. From there I took it to EP
An old mill at EP 16 is really neat to check out.
Some Travel Tips
- Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty: the trails can get muddy, and skip it altogether after heavy rain. Comfortable footwear matters more than you think on elevation.
- Don’t hike alone if you can help it.
- Stay on the trail. Charge your phone. Bring water. These should be obvious you know people can be people sometimes.
- Be honest with yourself about what you can handle before you start. Remember I took the quicker route and took my time.
- The weekends will be busy and they will tow you.
Cathy is a dynamic one-person powerhouse overseeing marketing and ecommerce operations in Marietta, GA where she is a is a pivotal member for a prominent industrial industrial hose, hydraulic, and rubber solutions provider.
Beyond the workplace, she finds solace and inspiration in adventurous and exhilarating pursuits like skydiving and caving to roughing it weekend camping trips with friends and family.
With a unique blend of professional expertise and a zest for life’s adventures, Cathy is committed to driving success both in and out of the office. And of course with that cup of coffee in hand!