Cochran Mill trail to waterfalls 9 of 10 star rating

Address: 6875 Cochran Mill Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

Hours: Open from 6 AM- 9 PM daily

The good the bad and the buggy. A short review of the park.

The good things about this park is the waterfalls especially the second one are really beautiful and you can swim at the base of the falls. The first fall is very close to the parking lot and I have seen several photographers take wedding, engagement and other photos there. It's not to far to carry a bunch of camera equipment and you could bring a wagon or stroller to the first falls because it is all paved to that point. The bad thing about this park is that although the waterfalls are on the map they are not on the map key and they are not labeled waterfall so you have to know what to look for. Also the trail markers show where the trail is but that doesn't tell you where on the map you are or where anything else on the map is. Like so many parks I go to they need to update the trail signs and maps. Without the all trails app. I wouldn't be able to figure out where I was or what trail to take. the buggy, I didn't get bug bites so no need to apply a lot of bug spray.

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. In 2010, donations from almost 400 local families in the City of Chattahoochee Hills allowed the City to purchase Cochran Mill Park from Fulton County.

In 2013, a $100,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources provided the funds to create a remarkable park transformation. Eight miles of new sustainable multi-use trails have been designed and constructed and ten miles of old trails have been rehabilitated. Other park improvements include a 2.5 mile Interpretive Trail, additional parking, an information kiosk, and a trail entrance arch. An ADA handicap accessible equestrian mounting block is easily accessible from the new parking areas.

What Kind of Park is this? This is a county park so you can not use State park passes for parking.

1. The parks views: Beautiful waterfalls

2. The Parks cost: $5.00 parking fee to be paid at kiosk.

3. The Parks bathrooms:

Flushing bathrooms with blow hand dryers that don't have much power. They are clean and much nicer then out house bathrooms but they are old and could use some maintenance.

4. How long is the hike?

2 1/2-3 miles to the second fall and back

5. The parks shopping and souvenirs:

None although you can get a map from the bulletin board across from the kiosk.

6. Does the park have wheelchair and stroller access?

Yes to the first waterfall and pick nick area but not on the trail.

7. How helpful are the parks maps and markers?

Not very helpful but better then nothing I guess. Use the All Trails App with the map and you won't have any trouble.

8. Is the park kid and dog friendly?

Yes, dogs must be on leash.

9. Is there a uniqueness about the park?

The waterfall is a great place for photos and is a very short walk from the parking lot. It would be a bit bumpy but it would be easy to take a wheelchair or stroller to it and there is a picnic table right across from the waterfall. Kids and adults can play in the stream that is wide in the area but ankle deep so you don't need to be able to swim. Do watch kids closely though if they can't swim, children can be drowned in very shallow water. You can access the waterfall by crossing the street from the entrance to the parking area. In addition to the picnic area by the waterfall there is a covered picnic pavilion and playground next to the parking big enough for a small family gathering or party.

10. Was it worthwhile? Yes I really like this park.