Atlanta, GA, is known for its rich history, great shopping, and an amazing entertainment scene. But this city’s best-kept secret is Sope Creek, a part of one of the biggest national recreation areas in the United States.
So, what’s a National Recreation Area?
A National Recreation Area is public land that’s intended for recreational activities. Examples include Yellowstone National Park, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and similar parks. We have one of the biggest in Atlanta – The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is Sope Creek, one of 17 separate parks. Sope Creek is located in Marietta, GA, in Cobb County. There are three separate trailhead parking lots, including the beautiful Columns Drive. We also have the Sope Creek and Cochran Shoals parking lots.
Parking and passes
A day pass costs $5, while annual passes go for $40. You can also get the National Park big pass for $80. If you go to two different trail systems, you can access an on-site kiosk. The kiosk on Columns Drive prints off a card that you can put on your dash. If you go to the kiosk on Cochran Shoals, you’ll get a digital card that you can access from your phone or on the website.
Things to bring
- A leash and a clean-up bag
The park is dog friendly, meaning you can bring your fur babies. If you take your pets with you, remember to bring a leash and a bag to clean up after them.
- Your fishing license
The Hooch has a huge fishery for wild and delayed-harvest trout. So, bring your fishing license to avoid missing out on the fly fishing action.
- An adventurous spirit
The Hooch is home to the Paper Mill Ruins, which were built in 1853. This was one of the biggest paper mills in the state, and it directly overlooks Sope Creek.
Sope Creek real estate
Sope Creek is surrounded by awesome communities, with residential areas at every price point. You have the Atlanta Country Club with homes ranging from $800,000 to $4 million. There’s Chattahoochee Plantation, where houses range from $900,000 to $4 million. You also have Fox Hills and surrounding neighborhoods North of Sope Creek. These neighborhoods have a lower price range, going from mid-$400,000 to $800,000.
Just west of Sope Creek is Sibley Forest, where you can get homes from $600,000 to $1 million. There’s The Horizon, a high-rise condominium with cool views of the city. You can pay $300,000 to $500,000 for a home in this area. You can also check out great single-family homes that cost up to $1 million in the Rivers Call subdivision.
