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Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area is situated on Allatoona Lake on a portion of the Etowah River, which is a tributary of the Coosa River. The serene lake and peaceful surroundings offer visitors a relaxing getaway from the nearby city of Atlanta, just 35 miles south. Visitors enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including water sports, picnicking, hiking, hunting and viewing wildlife.
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 spot black bears roaming the area.
Various water sports, boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are popular activities on the 11-mile long Allatoona Lake. The 270 miles of shoreline provides great opportunities for picnicking, hiking, hunting and relaxing.
Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area has an open shelter with six picnic tables under the shelter providing a maximum seating capacity of 50 people. There are also electrical outlets inside the shelter. A large covered grill area is located adjacent to the shelter. A horseshoe pit is located 25 feet from the shelter; however, shelter users must provide horseshoes. A restoom is located 75 yards from the shelter.
The downtown Catersvilles Historic District and Booth Western Art Museum is approximately 8 miles; Etowah Indian Mounds is approximately 10 miles; and Tellus Science Museum is approximately 11 miles from Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area.
From I-75 take Exit 290 (GA Hwy 20 / Canton / Rome). Northbound traffic: right off exit onto GA Hwy 20. Southbound traffic: left off exit onto GA Hwy 20. Travel 0.3 mile and turn right at traffic light (by Wendys) onto GA Hwy Spur 20. Travel 3.5 miles and the entrance to Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area is on the left.
Physical address: Cooper Branch #2 Day Use Area, 1101 GA Highway Spur 20, Cartersville, GA 30121
This truly is one of my favorite parks in Bartow County. It is like two parks in boats. There is a boat launch area then there is a park area with a hiking trail. The is no charge to enter or to use the boat launch. There are around 12 parking spaces for boats. If you bring your kayak in your truck or car, you can park in one of the boating parking spaces. The park rangers just ask that you put a note in the front window saying “kayak”. On the park side, there is lots of parking. There are many picnic tables beside the water with grills, a shelter that is first come (no cost) and horse shoe pit. Truly a great place to come enjoy for free. The park and boat ramp are open all year.
