Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

This park protects a 48-mile ribbon of the Chattahoochee River through metro Atlanta, created in 1978 after President Carter, who once canoed its rapids, championed it. Fifteen park units mix forest trails, Civil War-era ruins at Sope Creek's paper mill, and one of the country's first trout streams inside a big city.

Scramble on the rocks at Island Ford, wade the shoals, and hunt for the old mill ruins at Sope Creek. For a challenge, run or hike the park's rugged riverside trails or paddle the full metro stretch of the river.