Bowmans Island Trail — Attraction in Sugar Hill

Not crowded, easily accessible and dogs are allowed! The entry at the lower pool of Buford dam has multiple no dogs allowed signs, however dog are definitely allowed on this trail as the trail signs all indicate. Another reviewer said the trail is locked. If you bother to look at the locked gate, on the other side it says "no horses." The gate is not relevant to hikers. It is $5 to park at lower pool, or $40 for a year pass. If you are dead set on not paying for parking, you can drive over the dam and park on the first lot on the left for free. You then hike down the trail off that lot to the lower pool and cross over to Bowman's Island. It's a well maintained trail and has multiple off shoots to other little trails. It is also very flat. There is little variation in elevation so it's good for those who can't handle climbing trail...

For a recreation area managed by the national park service (and for a $5 parking fee), I was a bit disappointed. The trails have no blazes or markings, so I had to constantly refer to strava to see where to go and even then took a wrong turn a few times. I was very confused when the trail came out of the woods and brought be through an affluent neighborhood.

The lower trail that went along the river was closed for restoration but there was no warning of that at the trailhead, only when you start walking and come to the first turn was there a sign.

Overall a beautiful area, saw lots of deer, views of the dam and river are nice, but was really confused by the decisions not to have blazes and to have the trail go through a...

@Aug.2025 $8 a day for parking. If you come for fishing, it’s a great place and may worth $8. But if you come for hiking, I recommend you to park on the other side end of the trail, Trout place Rd. (lower in the map). it’s road parking and free, the trails are loop + point to point anyways. The trails are pretty and easy to walk, quite long, I took a loop and walked about 6miles. There are signs and maps at every trail intersections, so easy to know...