Growing up in the heart of Atlanta GA in the 1970s, nature was something we really only explored during our school field trips.
Whether it was the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Atlanta Zoo, or Stone Mountain Park, these magical places offered a taste of peace and serenity we rarely experienced in the city.
The first time our class visited the Chattahoochee Nature Center in the early ’80s, I remember a visceral feeling of excitement.
Getting to see the center’s hawks, eagles, and other Georgia birds of prey up close, and getting to hold snakes for the very first time, had a dramatic influence on my future as a diehard nature-lover.
Located right on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, the center has evolved over the last 40+ years.
But what hasn’t changed is its dedication to connecting people with nature, and educating visitors on why environmental preservation and conservation matters.
Though it’s located about an hour south of mountain towns like Blue Ridge, here’s a look at why the CNC is a must-see for anyone interested in the nature and wildlife of North Georgia.
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Chattahoochee Nature Center Info
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Chattahoochee Nature Center History
Stretching 430 miles, from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia to the Florida border, the Chattahoochee River has been a vital water source for more than 3000 years now.
Used by indigenous peoples since at least 1000 BC, the Chattahoochee River historically divided the Muscogee/Creek Indians from the Cherokee. It was also of great strategic import to General Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign during the Civil War.
By the 20th century the river was being used for commercial traffic and hydroelectric power. Environmental concerns led Jimmy Carter to create the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in 1978.
With a mission to connect people with nature through environmental education, the 127-acre Chattahoochee Nature Center was created in 1976.
Located across from the river in Roswell GA, the CNC was co-founded by local citizens and designed by iconic conservationist John Ripley Forbes.
A longtime resident of Sandy Springs GA, Forbes created hundreds of interactive nature museums in 200+ communities spanning 30 U.S. states. He also founded the Southeast Land Preservation Trust to preserve and manage conservation areas in the region.
The Chattahoochee Nature Center remains one of North Atlanta’s most beloved places for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, attracting around 130,000 visitors each year.
From the LEED-certified interpretive center (opened in 2009) to the Aerial Adventure & Zip Line Course (2020), the CNC continues to find new ways to encourage children and adults alike to embrace nature.
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Exploring Chattahoochee Nature Center
Hiking Trails
CNC offers 5 interconnected hiking trails (total distance 1.24 miles) that explore the property. There’s also a 0.5-mile River Boardwalk Trail that offers excellent views of wetlands along the Chattahoochee River.
The Beaver Pond Trail and Kingfisher Pond Trail are great for spotting birds, turtles, and other wildlife. The latter trail also offers great views of the Bald Eagle aviary.
The Homestead Trail features remnants of 1940s-era cabin, while the Forest Trail passes by a gravesite of a family who settled in the area sometime in the 19th century.
Their Stone Cabin Trail offers access to the Unity Garden, where local students learn about agriculture while helping to farm food that is donated to local charity organizations.
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Wildlife Walk
Kids and animal lovers will adore exploring the paved pathways just outside the center, which feature Raptor Aviaries, Butterfly Gardens, Beaver Habitat and more.
More than 600 animals are brought to the CNC’s Wildlife Clinic each year, and not all of them can be rehabilitated well enough to return to the wild.
The aviaries offer a chance to see some of the center’s permanent residents up close, including bald eagles, red shouldered hawks, turkey vultures, and several different species of owls.
And don’t miss the Butterfly Gardens: CNC’s Horticulture Director, Henning von Schmeling, received a 2019 Environmental Excellence Award for his work in creating pollinator habitats.
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The Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is the hub of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, as well as a focus for much of its endeavors in environmental education.
On the main level you’ll find the ticket window, gift shop, and a gallery of artwork. Downstairs you’ll find the education center, including the permanent “Explore Your Watershed” exhibit.
River Resource Kiosks are a wealth of practical environmental education. But there are also live animal displays featuring fish, turtles, lizards, snakes, and owls (all of whom were brought in as rescues).
Don’t miss the Cowie-Weiss Theater, where you can view a 20-minute documentary, The Chattahoochee: Reimagine Our River.
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Annual Events at Chattahoochee Nature Center
Back to Nature Holiday Market
On December 7, from 10AM to 5PM, the CNC hosts their annual Back to Nature Holiday Market, which offers a unique opportunity to shop for unique items from local artisans.
You’ll find handmade (and/or eco-friendly) holiday gifts ranging from art and jewelry to candles, bath products, food, children’s toys, and more.
Admission is free, but they recommend make a reservation in advance for a chance to win fun prizes on the day of this holiday event.
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Enchanted Woodland Trail
Running from December 15 through February 28, the annual Enchanted Woodland Trail exhibit finds 40+ Fairy Houses and Gnome Homes installed along the myriad CNC hiking trails.
Made by local artists from natural objects, these tiny whimsical houses encourage visitors to slow down and take notice of the enchanting features of the CNC’s woods in Winter.
The exhibit opens with the Enchanted Woodland Wonders Family Fun Day, where visitors will vote on their favorite creations, with cash prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus a CNC membership for the People’s Choice award.
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Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
Held in early June 2025, the annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival is a perennial family favorite.
Now in its 25th year, the festival features education on pollinators and a walk-through live Butterfly Encounter (which remains open through early August 2).
There will also be a fun Migration Game, food, live music, and a fundraiser sale of nectar plants you can use to attract butterflies to your home garden!
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Halloween Hikes
Returning for its 39th year in October 2025, Halloween Hikes allow visitors to take guided night hikes through the CNC forest.
Along the way, they’ll learn more about the animals that call the Chattahoochee Watershed home.
There will be glow-in-the-dark games, arts and crafts, a campfire for roasting s’mores, and costumed characters such as the Barred Owl and Kingfisher.
Don’t miss “The Haunted Quest,” a scavenger hunt to test your mystery-solving skills on the Homestead Trail! –by Bret Love; photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted
