Jones Bridge Trail System Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, GA
miles
LENGTH 3.9 MILES
DIFFICULTY 3.7 Easy
DURATION 1-2 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
280
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Trail
System
Jones Bridge Trail System

The Jones Bridge trail system offers up to 6 miles of hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River. Although the park can get very crowded during the warmer months, hiking to the south side of the park will prove most don’t go far from the parking area.

Starting next to the fee station, the trail quickly splits in two directions. Turning left along the river will take you to the remnants of Jones Bridge which collapsed in January 2018, however; majority of the trail system is to the right. The park is very narrow for the first half mile section between the two parking areas, following the river closely. The part is well maintained and easily trod and along here will be where most other hikers are encountered.

After crossing the parking area and boat ramp, the trail proceeds along the river before leaving it to make the first real elevation change by climbing up a series of steps. The trail immediately makes a short descent to a private gravel driveway. After another climb, the trail comes to its first junction. Here is where the trail “system” begins, as the rest of the park is composed of a combination of shorter, interconnecting trails.

Any direction you take will lead to several other trail junctions, most with maps posted, making it relatively easy to find your way back to the main trail that you came in on. On the other end of the park is a large clearing and along the last few junctions as there are a couple unofficial trails, one of which leads to a private playground area. You can get a little lost here if you're not paying attention, but find the river and follow it upstream and you'll be all good.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length3.9 miles
difficulty3.7 Easy
duration1 - 2 hours
trail typeTrail System
blazeNone
elevation gain280 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestChattahoochee River National Recreation Area
visitor infoIsland Ford Visitor Center
1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
678-538-1200
hoursSunrise - Sunset (parks)
9am - 5pm (Visitor Center)
parking fee$5/Day, $40 Annual Pass
trailhead coordinates 34.000847, -84.239398 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°0.05, W 84°14.36 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°0'03'', N 34°0'03'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.000847, -84.239398 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°0.05, W 84°14.36 most GPS units use this one
N 34°0'03'', N 34°0'03'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
While driving down the entrance road, pass the first parking area, this is for boat loading. The main parking lot and trailhead are at the end of the road.
Notes
All official CRNRA maps can be found at https://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
5 (2)
hikethesouth-2 years ago
Still A Great Park
This is still one of my favorite local Atlanta area parks. Beautiful views of the river and quiet trails if you don't go on the weekend.
Easy | Hiked Winter 2022
hikethesouth-6 years ago
Local Hotspot
This is my personal favorite Chattahoochee park and I think others would agree because it can be quite crowded especially during warmer months even on weekdays. The South half of the park will be much less crowded, A few steep hills but mostly flat quiet forest trails.
Easy | Hiked Spring 2016
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