Walking and biking trails in East Cobb: the 3.1-mile Cochran Shoals loop, Sope Creek, Johnson Ferry North, park loops, parking, fees and the trail rules.

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Trail rules, fees and maps come from the National Park Service and Cobb County PARKS, linked below.

East Cobb’s best trails run along the Chattahoochee River on its southern and eastern edge, in units of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area run by the National Park Service. The county parks add shorter loops closer to home.

Trail Where Length and surface Bikes
Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop Columns Drive or Interstate North Parkway trailheads 3.1 miles, wide level gravel Yes, on multi-use trails
Sope Creek Sope Creek entrance of the Cochran Shoals unit Hilly woodland trails past the mill ruins Yes, on marked biking trails
Johnson Ferry North Johnson Ferry Road at the river Riverside hiking trails No
Harrison Park 2653 Shallowford Road 1.4-mile walking trail Not listed
Mabry Park 4466 Mabry Park Road Loops around a pond and through meadows Not listed
East Cobb Park 3322 Roswell Road Creekside trails linking to Fullers Park Not listed

Who to call

  • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: 678-538-1200
  • Cobb County PARKS: 770-528-8800
  • Emergency: 911

The Chattahoochee River units

Hours: dawn to dusk, all year. The park defines dawn as 30 minutes before sunrise and dusk as 30 minutes after sunset (NPS hours).

Fees: an entrance pass is required at every lot: $5 for one day, covering a vehicle and its passengers, or $40 for an annual pass for this park. America the Beautiful passes are accepted (NPS fees).

Cochran Shoals. The Fitness Loop is 3.1 miles of wide, level gravel through woods and wetlands, with trailheads at Columns Drive and Interstate North Parkway, according to the park’s nonprofit partner, the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy. The Park Service says cycling is relaxing on the fitness loop and on the hillier trails toward the Sope Creek entrance (NPS hiking and biking page). Map: Cochran Shoals trail map (PDF).

Sope Creek. Wooded, hillier trails, marked for hiking or for biking and hiking, around the stone ruins of the Sope Creek paper mill (Sope Creek trail map (PDF); the ruins are on our history and landmarks page).

Johnson Ferry North. Riverside hiking trails. Biking is not permitted on trails in this unit, its map says (Johnson Ferry North map (PDF)).

Gold Branch and Johnson Ferry South have their own maps on the NPS maps page.

Rules of the trail

From the park’s trail maps for Cochran Shoals and Sope Creek:

  • Do not ride after rain, to protect the trails.
  • Bicyclists follow the one-way signs, keep to 10 mph and yield to pedestrians.
  • Note the number on the nearest trail marker as you go.

Dogs are welcome on a leash 6 feet or shorter, including in the water (NPS pets); more in our dog-friendly guide.

County park loops

  • Harrison Park, 2653 Shallowford Road: a 1.4-mile walking trail where leashed dogs are allowed (Harrison Park).
  • Mabry Park, 4466 Mabry Park Road: walking trails looping around a pond and through open meadows (Mabry Park).
  • East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road: trails along Sewell Mill Creek with paths to Fullers Park (East Cobb Park).
  • Hyde Farm Park, 721 Hyde Road: nature trails on an 1830s farm (Hyde Farm Park).
  • Sweat Mountain Park, 4346 Steinhauer Road: wooded trails between the ball fields and the dog park (Sweat Mountain Park).

For trails across the county, see the Cobb trail map.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Cochran Shoals trail? The Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop is 3.1 miles of wide, level gravel, with trailheads at Columns Drive and Interstate North Parkway, according to the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy.

Can I ride a bike at Cochran Shoals and Sope Creek? Yes, on the multi-use trails. Riders must follow one-way signs, keep to 10 mph, yield to people on foot and stay off the trails after rain. Biking is not allowed on the Johnson Ferry North trails.

Do I have to pay to park at the Chattahoochee River trails? Yes. The National Park Service requires an entrance pass: $5 for one day per vehicle, or $40 for an annual pass for this park.

What are the hours for the Chattahoochee River trails? Dawn to dusk all year; the park defines dawn as 30 minutes before sunrise and dusk as 30 minutes after sunset.

Where can I walk a short loop in East Cobb? Harrison Park on Shallowford Road has a 1.4-mile walking trail, and Mabry Park has trails around a pond and through meadows. East Cobb Park’s trails follow Sewell Mill Creek.

What this means for you

  • Buy the $40 annual pass if you use the river trails more than eight times a year.
  • After rain, leave the bike at home: the park asks riders to stay off wet trails.
  • Note trail marker numbers as you go, in case you need help.

Related: parks and trails, dog-friendly East Cobb, free things to do and getting around.