The National Park Service is proud to once again join with the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to present on April 20-28, 2019, the 2019 National Park Week. National Park Week is America’s largest celebration of national heritage. It’s about making great connections, exploring amazing places, discovering open spaces, enjoying affordable vacations, and enhancing America’s best idea—the national parks! It’s all happening in your national parks.
You can plan your visit for the 2019 National Park Week by what you want to do, or where you want to go … or you can browse their event calendar and check out the special programs offered throughout the week. National parks are America’s Best Idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. To kick off National Park Week, all entrance fees are waived on Saturday, April 20! There are also special days during the week to highlight the different ways you can enjoy your national parks:
Events during the 2019 National Park Week include:
April 20: Junior Ranger Day
Calling kids of all ages! Earn a Junior Ranger badge at one of the many fun programs happening at parks across the country.
April 20: Wildflower Moon Campfire and Night Hike
Join National Park Service Naturalist Jerry Hightower for a campfire, program on the covered upper deck, guided hike, and a beautiful spring evening with the glowing stars overhead.
April 26: Frog Frolic
Join Park Ranger Jerry Hightower for this fantastic frog filled spring evening. Young and young at heart start the evening in the shallows at the spillway looking for tadpoles and froglets and then roast marshmallows around the campfire and listen to the growing chorus of frogs.
Also, don’t forget to check out www.nationalparkweek.org. to learn more about the 2019 National Park Week.
Throughout the country, visitors can enjoy the beauty and wonder of 84 million acres of the world’s most spectacular scenery, historic places and cultural treasures!
The Smyrna Vinings area offers multiple park units in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. These include Paces Mill, Whitewater Creek, Indian Trail and Akers Mill in the Palisades section, as well as, Interstate North and Powers Island in the Cochran Shoals section of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Paces Mill is located just north of the Chattahoochee River on Cobb Parkway and just south of Paces Mill Road. Paces Mill offers 3.5 miles of trails, a shaded picnic area, as well as plenty of places to wade fish or fish from shore.
Whitewater Creek is located just east of I-75, north of Mount Paran Road and south of the Chattahoochee River. Whitewater Creek offers easy access to the river for wading fisherman as well as several miles of trails that connect to the Indian Trail unit.
Indian Trail is located east of the Chattahoochee River and can be accessed by traveling south on Northside Drive from I-285, then right on Indian Trail. Indian Trail offers several miles of trails that connect to a scenic overlook that offers excellent views of the Devil’s Racecourse Shoals.
Akers Mill is located inside I-285 and just west of the Chattahoochee River and can be accessed by heading east on Akers Mill Road from Cobb Parkway, then turning right at the wooden mill wheel onto Akers Drive. Akers Mill offers several miles of trails and scenic spots including Sandy Point, a small beach-like area that juts into the river.
Interstate North is located just north of I-285 off of Interstate North Parkway/Riveredge Parkway and west of the Chattahoochee River. The Cochran Shoals area is one of the largest and most popular in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It is an excellent place to bike or walk along the river. There is a three-mile fitness trail that is also excellent for bird watching and wetlands discovery.
Powers Island is located just north of I-285 off of Interstate North Parkway/Riveredge Parkway and east of the Chattahoochee River. It is located just across the river from Interstate North. Powers Island offers trails, picnic tables, and two canoe/kayak launches. One launches directly onto the Chattahoochee River, while the other launches onto an offshoot that contains a kayaking course. The course is maintained by the Atlanta Center of Excellence.
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