Chattahoochee Bamboo Forest — Attraction in Sandy Springs

A bamboo forest...in metro Atlanta? Yes. 10 minutes from SunTrust Park, along the Chattahoochee River, at the northern tip of East Palisades park. You can reach it by parking at Whitewater and hiking about 2ish miles up (near EP26 on the park map).

Perfect for nature therapy day.

The park was for us really confusing to navigate, the paths are winding in all directions and there isn’t clear signage to help. The maps look straightforward, but once you’re on the paths they don’t always match. AllTrails app steered us wrong quite a few times as well. We weren’t the only ones lost, it turned out to be pretty funny constantly running into people who ask each other the same thing: “do you know where the bamboo forest is? We’ve been wandering up and down these paths and end up in circles arriving back at the same place!”

But luckily we finally ran into a duo who had been to the forest before, so we followed them, hiking past a lookout spot over the river, white water rapids, green canopies with the most gorgeous rays breaking through, creeks, and parts where we had to be on all fours ourselves grabbing onto tree roots along the side of a hill where the trail was disrupted.

The bamboo forest was a nice payoff! It wasn’t as dense or as green as I expected based on what I’ve seen others post on Instagram, so not sure if it’s just the time of year, but it was still a beautiful spot and incredible that it’s pretty much in the city. And please if you visit do not litter (we saw colored powder all over the ground as if left over from a party) and do not carve your #%^* initials into the bamboo - don’t ruin it for everyone else.

Would recommend checking this trail and bamboo forest out, but go with a friend. There are many things I love to do solo, but this trail is pretty demanding and it’s easy to get lost - though there are enough people on the trail (not crowded at all, but super isolated either) where you wouldn’t be able to flag down help if you needed it, just would be better if you had someone to help navigate or to go on this adventure together.

As for parking, there wasn’t one closer to the forest that I’m aware of, there are only two lots for the park, the other one is Indian Trail. I’ve parked at both but prefer Whitewater for two reasons: 1) Indian Trail is more narrow, winding and unpaved - I was a bit nervous driving in there - at parts I wasn’t sure if I’d accidentally veered into paths only for those on foot. 2). Though the Indian trail looks more positioned north and seems like would be closer to the forest, you have to hike down hill then up again to get to the main trails - to me that seems inefficient. Was easier to park at paved Whitewater lot (be aware that the lot is small as others have said, so do try to carpool) and keep hiking north, plus there are awesome views and paths along the...

Very unique and beautiful experience!

You do have to hike quite a way to get there.

It is a "moderate" hike with some level of elevation changes and different steps along the way.

To get the most out your hike, I suggest taking the lowest point of parking which is at Indian Trail 1425 Indian Trail NW.

If you manage to park here, I suggest taking the trail pathways on the left of the map that lead to the bamboo forest at marker 'E16'.

Once you have visited 'E16' (The bamboo forest), make your way back using the other trails 'E24 - 'E25' as the most straightforward marker back, and is very basic in terrain.

There is parking at Whitewater. This parking spot should save you time based on it's positioning to the trails. I wouldn't recommend ONLY because, imo, you would ruin the overall hiking experience.

Otherwise, great hike. Beautiful location.

I went on April 20th.

There seems to typically be a 5$ fee (which can be accessed via a QR code or online website to purchase). The day I went was free however.

Parking is not convenient (or empty, very much full), the address to get there IS a tad confusing, and the road to get to park is quite narrow. Could be an issue when going.

Those were the only...

Would love to give this 5 stars but the headache with parking just won't let me do it. Parking can be a nightmare. Very narrow one lane unpaved road to get to a very small parking lot. Much of no room to turn around and one entrance was blocked off. The hike cab be confusing and you can easily get lost. So it can take from 30 mins to 3 hours to reach the bamboo. The hike is moderate. Not easy, incline and steep up and downs throughout. And it's just as hard to get back from the bamboo as it was to get there. The trail was shaded which made the hot day so much more comfortable. Take water and snacks. There is very limited areas to rest. (just a few tree trucks to rest at) The trail is not kid friendly and can be muddy and wet due to small streams of water along the trail. It does have a great view of the Chattahoochee River. And be aware not all dogs...