Chattahoochee River National Reacreation Area Beach

The Chattahoochee National Recreation Area has many attractions that can be enjoyed by a human and pooch duo, including many miles of trails. One of these, the Whitewater Creek Trail, has a special added attraction: a furbulous dog beach! Parking for the East Palisades Trail at 1425 Indian Trail NW, is the best way to access the beach by catching the Whitewater Creek Trail down to the shore. 

The rocky riverbed here is a challenge for many, but not for dogs whose agility and gripping power is pawsome. Here and there, sandy shoals reach out into the river, where Fido and Fluffy can swim, retrieve branches floating in the water and simply cavort. While it's called a "dog beach," pups' pawrents can venture into the water to play with the canines. A word to the wise: the rule is that dogs must be leashed at all times in the park. Bring any essentials for a fun and safe day out, including water and clean up bags.

Some of the surface of the beach is sandy, with patches of flat stones, some sharp-edged and shale-like, others smooth and round, pawrfect for skipping across the river's expanse. Fallen trees provide natural seats, there are shady spots to throw down a blanket for a picnic, and this is a grrreat spot to put in a kayak or canoe for a paddle up or down the Chattahoochee with Spot. Enjoy the songbirds and Gulf Fritillary butterflies flitting to and from wildflower blossoms. Waterfowl occasional glide by, along with geese that mostly stand in the shallows looking for lunch. Small mammalian critters can be heard rustling in the underbrush, and it's certain Fido has heard them too. 

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area lies just 15 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, so in no time you and the pup could be standing by the river's edge, ready to brave the cold, refreshing water!