Operating Hours & Seasons

The Island Ford Visitor Contact Station at Island Ford is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving Day and December 25th.

The park lands and waters are open for day-use only from dawn to dusk year round. Dawn is defined as 30 minutes before legal sunrise and dusk is defined as 30 minutes after legal sunset. The sunrise and sunset hours are posted at the information kiosk located throughout the park.

You may determine sunrise and sunset times for a specific day or an entire year by visiting the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) website. Remember to subtract 30 minutes from the sunrise time to determine when the park opens and add 30 minutes to the sunset time to determine when the park closes. When daylight time is in use, add one hour to the times listed in the table.

 

Island Ford Visitor Center

The Island Ford Visitor Center is located in the historic Hewlett Lodge. Here you will be able to purchase your Annual Park Pass as well as any of the passes in the America The Beautiful series. While there pick up maps, obtain the latest information on the park, or pick up a souvenir from the Eastern National store.

Addresses

Physical Address

8800 Roberts Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Mailing Address

1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Directions

The park is spread over a 48 mile section of the Chattahoochee River and consists of the river and 15 land units beginning downstream from Buford Dam at Lake Lanier and ending at Peachtree Creek in metro Atlanta. Check out the directions link to chart your course to one of the many units.

Hours & Seasons

• Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM

Start your visit to the park at the Island Ford Visitor Center. Here you will be able to pick up maps, as well as the latest information on the park.

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

Holidays

2025–2026

Thanksgiving Day	November 27, 2025	Closed
Christmas Day	December 25, 2025	Closed
Holiday	Date	Hours

Amenities

• Accessible Rooms
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Benches/Seating
• Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch
• Cellular Signal
• Dock/Pier
• Electrical Outlet/Cell Phone Charging
• Entrance Passes For Sale
• Fire Extinguisher
• First Aid Kit Available
• First Aid/Medical Care Available
• Gifts/Souvenirs/Books
• Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
• Information
• Information - Maps Available
• Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present
• Parking - Auto
• Picnic Shelter/Pavilion
• Picnic Table
• Restroom
• Restroom - Accessible
• Scenic View/Photo Spot
• Toilet - Flush
• Trailhead
• Trash/Litter Receptacles
• Water - Bottle-Filling Station
• Water - Drinking/Potable
• Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Email Address

Send this visitor center an email

Phone Numbers

• Voice phone number
  [phone]
• Fax number
  [phone]

Image Gallery

View of the exhibits about the river.

Large photograph of a ferry load of people on the wall with interpretive panel below.

A sofa and tables in front of several photographs with accompanying text on a log wall.

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Southeast corner of the visitor center showing two door flanked by two exhibits.

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NPS

Crossing the Chattahoochee River has not always been as easy as it is today.
NPS Photo

Take a break from your long hike or learn about the early bridges that span the Chattahoochee.
NPS Photo

Learn the importance of PFDs at the exhibit on the left and about critters in the river at the interactive table
NPS Photo

Learn the importance of PFDs at the exhibit on the left and about critters in the river at the interactive table
NPS Photo