Gold Branch
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
678-538-1273
This hike to the Chattahoochee River is from the Gold Branch parking area off Lower Roswell Road near Marietta, GA. The route starts in the northwestern corner of the park and descends down to a small stream in a hardwood forest. From here, you can hike either in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to reach the river. Either way you will eventually walk along Bull Sluice Lake – which is a body of water on the northern end of the park. It is almost entirely cut off from the main flow of river with only a narrow passage connecting Bull Sluice Lake with the Chattahoochee. Hiking clockwise takes you to the lake in under 30 minutes.
The entire Gold Branch loop is around five miles, but if you are short on time or energy there are a number of smaller loops in the park (see map). This gives you a number of options ranging from 1-5+ miles in the Gold Branch area. The trail is close to the cities of Marietta and Roswell – so don’t expect much privacy here – but for being so close to the city, this is a really nice and scenic hike.
- click to see trail photos from this hike in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: February 24, 2012, February 20, 2017, December 19, 2020
- click to view a trip report of this hike on Gold Branch: February 24, 2012, February 20, 2017, December 19, 2020
- click to view maps of this hike near Sandy Springs, Georgia
- click for links to hiking and backpacking forums and “trail talk”
- click for links to other outdoor books and magazines
- click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
There’s been a few changes at the trailhead since I last hiked here. There is still a fee to hike here ($5), but you now must scan a code at the trailhead with your smartphone and pay electronically – after you set up an account. Also, the national park service had numerous signs restricting parking to the designated lot – which isn’t very big. If you come here on a weekend, you may have to wait for someone to leave before you find parking.