Head out on this 2.8-mile loop trail near Palmetto, Georgia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 hour 5 minutes to complete. To hike this trail you start by crossing the street at the entrance of the parking lot. The first part of the trail takes you over a bridge with a waterfall to your right. Continue on the old dirt road straight until you come to the marker for Cochran Mill Loop Trail (orange) on the right. Follow the trail to the right and you will come to your second bridge. After you cross the bridge you will be at the base of the loop below. You will will then follow the (green) nature center trail to your right. You could go to the left however you will be at a big area of rock and the park did not paint the rocks so you could easily find where the trail is on the left. The trail entrance itself on the left side is marked but you will have to look for it. If you go to the right on the right side of the loop below is the bear creek nature center and pond as well as a picnic pavillion. I believe the nature center is still closed due to a tragic drowning that was in my opinion no way the fault of the park. This is a nice hike and mostly shaded.
Last Updated: August 2023
The Parks Address:
6875 Cochran Mill Road
Chattahoochee Hills, GA, 30268
Phone: Answer
The name of this trail is? Cascades and Mill Road Trail
What Kind of trail is this? Wilderness Trail
The Parks Amenities: Flush Bathrooms, Large Picnic Pavillion, Several uncovered picnic tables and benches, a playground with a covered seating area for parents, a bulletin board with park map by the parking kiosk, parking area for horse trailers, and several multi-purpose trails.
The Parks web page says: Located in Chattahoochee Hills Georgia, just 20 miles southwest of the Atlanta Airport, Cochran Mill Park, with 800 acres of woods, fields, and streams, features stunning waterfalls, huge boulders, rock outcrops, wildflowers, native azaleas, mountain laurel, and the ruins of 3 historic mills. Cochran Mill Park now has 18 miles of sustainable multiple-use trails shared by hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and trail runners.
This parks rating is 9 out of 10 stars
The good, the bad, and the buggy, a short review of the park.
The good things about this park are the number of trails for all skill levels (how far you want to go and how long you want to be out) and the bathrooms are kept nice and clean.
The bad thing about this park is that the trails sometimes need better markers and there are numerous water hazards for anyone who can't swim, so if your kids can't swim PLEASE keep a very close eye on them.
The buggy I’m a bug’s favorite chew toy so how much did they love me? I was glad I brought my bug spray with me so I could reapply it. I didn't get any bites but they were sure circleling and thinking about it. They kept almost getting in my eyes! Ugh!
What Kind of Park is this? This is a county park so there is a parking fee and you can't use your state park pass for parking here.
1. The Parks views: Beautiful wooded trails, streams and waterfalls.
2. The Parks cost: $5.00 parking fee. You need to pay with a credit card because the kiosk doesn't take cash.
3. The Parks bathrooms: Clean flush toilets, but only near the parking area unless the Nature Center is open again.
4. How long is the hike? A 2.8 mile loop
5. The parks shopping and souvenirs: No shopping unless the Nature Center is open again, so just pictures and pine cones or rocks and feathers if your lucky.
6. Does the park have wheelchair and stroller access? To that first waterfall yes but also if you go the opposite way at the parking lot entrance there is a old dirt road that's blocked to motor vehicles but not to hikers/walkers (trailhead to the right of road block). It's about a 3 mile (for both ways) 1.45 mile one way, out and back trail/dirt road that leads through some beautiful forest and past a very pretty meadow (Zacks Glade). I am not including the part of the trail after the second road block where it gets to be a narrow trail and really doesn't go anywhere interesting after that.
7. How helpful are the parks maps and markers? As good and bad as most parks.
8. Is the park kid and dog friendly? Yes very.
9. Was there a uniqueness to the park? Yes
10. Was it worthwhile? Yes
Bonus Questions
12. Was the trail shaded or in the sun? Mostly shaded
12. Was there tent, cabin and RV camping? No, although I think you could park an RV in the horse trailer parking area, there is no hook up. Also I think the parking fee is more for trailers.
13. Places nearby to eat? Not close but, not a long drive away either.
14. Was there a gas station nearby? Same as above.
15. How safe was the park? As safe as you can make nature.
16. Is the park maintained well? Yes
17. Is there good internet service? Yes
18. What would I have brought or left behind if I hiked this trail again?
Be sure to bring bug spray, plenty of water and I had a little mist fan to help me stay cool. Also bringing something to eat isn't a bad idea at all, make use of the picnic tables.
19. How far is this from Atlanta? About 20 miles
20. Spirit Animal for the park?
The trails spirit animal is selected by any animal I see at the park or on my way to the park. I find that looking for the day’s spirit animal makes my hike more fun and reminds me to stop and enjoy the beauty of my journey. Today’s spirit animal is: Bambi, I saw a young deer, it had lost it's spots but was still very small.
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