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Access Site GA

Riverside Park

Etowah River

Source: georgia_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago

City: Emerson, GA
County: Bartow County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 34.16105933, -84.74418672
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Whitewater Runs on Etowah River
5 runs (1 nearby)
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site: Put-in at this location This location is on the run Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Riverside Park in Emerson, Georgia offers a convenient boat ramp access point to the Etowah River. The ramp provides direct access to this tributary of the Coosa River, which is a popular destination for kayakers, canoeists, and small motorboats.

The Etowah River in this area is relatively wide and slow-moving, making it well-suited for recreational boating and paddling. Water levels can fluctuate depending on rainfall and dam operations upstream, so paddlers should check conditions before launching. Nearby Allatoona Lake provides additional boating opportunities.

Riverside Park is a day-use area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It offers basic amenities like restrooms, picnic shelters, and hiking trails, but does not have overnight camping facilities. A fee is charged for boat launching, but entry to the canoe/kayak launch area is free. Paddlers should review the park's policies and hours before visiting.
Federal Facility Information
678-721-6700 Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
Riverside Park Day Use Area is situated along the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. This Day Use Area is downstream of the dam which impounds Allatoona Lake. The river and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south. Visitors enjoy various water sports, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife.Recreation
Boating, fishing,...

Overview
Riverside Park Day Use Area is situated along the Etowah River, a tributary of the Coosa River. This Day Use Area is downstream of the dam which impounds Allatoona Lake. The river and peaceful surroundings offer a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south. Visitors enjoy various water sports, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife.Recreation
Boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming are popular activities along the 164-mile Etowah River waterway that rises northwest of Dahlonega, Georgia, north of Atlanta.Facilities
Riverside Park Day Use Area has two open shelters within the park:Shelter "A" is on the left once you enter the park. It is located on the Etowah River and has a maximum seating capacity of 200 people. Horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court and an open playing field are adjacent to Shelter "A". Horseshoes and volleyball can be loaned out by the onsite Park Hosts.
Shelter "B" is further in the park in a wooded area along a creek. It is the smaller shelter and is within walking distance of the Etowah River. Shelter "B" has a maximum seating capacity of 50 people. A horseshoe pit is within 20 yards. Horseshoes can be loaned out by the onsite Park Hosts.
A restroom is within walking distance of both shelters. There is a boat ramp in the park to access the river. The Vinyard Mountain Hiking Trail can be accessed from inside the Riverside Park Day Use Area.
The very scenic Etowah Disc Golf Course is located in Riverside Day Use Area at the base of the Allatoona Dam on the Etowah River. Opening in late 2017, the course has become one of the most popular in North Georgia. The rolling hills around the park are thickly covered with a variety of hardwoods and ornamental trees, shrubs, and ferns. Stunning rock features, a creek, other scenic landmarks, and views of the Etowah River from several holes enhance your experience with scenery not found at any other metro Atlanta course. 
Natural Features
The rolling hills around Allatoona Lake are thickly forested with lush oak, maple, blackgum, dogwood, magnolia, hickory and the occasional pine tree. Ferns and honeysuckle bushes make up the understory. The dense hardwood forests are home to raccoons, opossum, bobcats, red and gray fox, white tail deer, squirrels, and chipmunks. From time to time, visitors even spot black bears roaming the area.
Nearby Attractions
The City of Cartersville is nearby, offering the Tellus Science Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds, and Booth Western Art Museum. The City of Emerson is home to the Lakepoint Sports Complex. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located in Kennesaw; White Water Park is in Marietta, and the Georgia Aquarium is located in Atlanta.Charges & Cancellations
Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees
Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation.


Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777.


Late Cancellations
Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival.
Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply.
Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee.
Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge.


No-Shows
Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date.


If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees.



Refunds
Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure.


Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location.
• Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card.
• Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy.
• Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure.

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Nearby Recreation Areas
Allatoona Lake Located within
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