The East Palisades Trail: The Ultimate Guide to Atlanta’s Bamboo Forest and River Overlook
The East Palisades trail is a great trail for day hikes in the Atlanta area! This trail will take you to Atlanta’s Bamboo Forest, the Chattahoochee River overlook and give you river access. Curious about what awaits you on the East Palisades trail? Keep reading to get all the details before you lace up your hiking boots!
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Getting to the Trail Head
There are two parking lots that will take you to the East Palisade trails. You can park at either the Indian Trail entrance or the Whitewater Creek Entrance. Both parking spots are pretty small, but the Whitewater entrance has a few more spots. One thing to note is the Indian Trail entrance is on a dirt road and the road is pretty narrow so you’ll have to pull over on the side to allow oncoming cars to pass. Whichever one you choose, be sure not to park on the side of the road as there are numerous signs telling you not to and you may be ticketed or towed if you do. I recommend arriving early, especially on weekends, to ensure you get a spot.
About the Trail
As you make your way through the forest, you’ll come to a lot of intersections with signs showing this map. Which way you decide to go is up to you and depends on where you’re trying to get.
Most of the trail is through the forest, meaning it will be fairly shaded year round. After a lot of rain the trail can be pretty muddy, with little streams intersecting the trail. If you’re visiting after it’s rained, I definitely recommend wearing waterproof hiking boots.
Throughout the trail you’ll find yourself climbing and descending multiple hills. One pretty steep hill is located between EP 24 and EP 10 and another between EP 14 and EP 17. The hills aren’t terribly long so it isn’t too bad though.
The Atlanta Bamboo Forest
The bamboo forest is located at EP 26 on the map. The exact route you take will depend on which parking lot you start from and if you’re taking any other routes to see other things. The exact mileage will vary, but you can expect to hike around 4 miles round trip. Towards the end of the trail there are a few clearings in the trees so you can see the river. From these points you can see across the river to the West Palisades trail to my favorite place to hammock!
If you find yourself at EP 14 and aren’t sure which trail to take, use this map for reference. It will seem like there are three trails but only two are official ones. The one in the middle (in red on the map) is a side trail that is very narrow and extremely steep. Not a great option in general but especially so if it has rained recently because it will be very muddy and slick.
The bamboo forest itself is the end of that trail and you will need to follow your steps the way you came, as the trail does not loop around.
Chattahoochee River Overlook
Another notable area on the East Palisades Trail is the Chattahoochee River overlook. You can find this by taking the loop between EP 10 and EP 14, it will be halfway through the loop. There are a handful of stairs leading down to the overlook before you reach the viewing platform. From here you can enjoy views of the Chattahoochee, in the summer you’ll likely see people kayaking and tubing down the river.
More Trails to Explore in Georgia
Looking for more trails in the Atlanta area? Checkout these 6 trails that are less than 1 hour from downtown.
Ready to venture further out? Checkout the best hikes with views and the best waterfall hikes!
What to Bring on Day Hikes
Water-depending on how hot it is and how long of a hike, you should bring atleast 1-2 liters of water to stay hydrated. I prefer to carry a hydration bladder, they make it so much easier to stay hydrated on the trails without lugging around a massive water bottle.
Hiking Poles– on the way up, it helps distribute your weight, on the way down, they provide stability and reduces the impact on your knees.
Hiking Boots– If you enjoy hiking regularly, you should definitely invest in hiking boots or trail shoes. A good pair will offer you ankle support, protection from mud and streams and better tread for hiking all terrain. For trails that are mainly flat a good pair of tennis shoes will do but once you move into different trails and increasing elevation, hiking shoes are a must.
Snacks– depending on how long the hike is, I might just bring a few cliff bars, trail mix or fruit. For longer hikes I like to have something more substantial, such as a sandwich and some beef jerky.
Water shoes– if you plan to swim in any waterfalls I would suggest bringing water shoes to protect your feet! A lot of times there will be rocks or branches in the water and water shoes will make it easy to navigate.
