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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.
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.
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.
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 City of Cartersville is nearby, offering the Tellus Science Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds, and Booth Western Art Museum.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is located in Kennesaw; White Water Park is in Marietta, and the Georgia Aquarium is located in Atlanta.
From I-75 take Exit 285/Red Top Mountain Road exit. Northbound traffic will turn left and southbound traffic will turn right onto Red Top Mountain Road. Turn right at the first traffic light onto the connector which will come to Hwy 41. Turn right onto Hwy 41 and travel 1 mile to Allatoona Dam Road. Turn right onto Allatoona Dam Road and travel 1.7 miles to Riverside Park Day Use entrance.
Physical Address: Riverside Day Use Area, 513 Allatoona Dam Road SE, Cartersville, GA, 30121
What a great find! Maps routed us here after searching day use parks. This is a great area for fishing, outside activities with friends or family, lounging near (or playing in) the river, trails, and multiple targets for disc golf. It wasn't overcrowded, even on the weekend, and had room to spread out and enjoy some nature. We'll be back again!
Great place to go for the day. Just remember to pay $5.00 for the day. They have a payment kiosk at the front gate. Pet friendly. Horseshoes, volleyball net. The biggest draw is the Disk Golf big course. They have pinic provilans and restrooms.
We did the hiking trails. Just WOW!!!!! It's absolutely beautiful with the stream and ferns. The trail was a challenge too. My girls and myself love a challenge 🤩🤩. We only saw a few other hikers and of course they were friendly. Once we were done we dipped our feet in the River to cool off. This is a perfect area for the kids to play, picnic too.
Seems like a very nice area… The dog loves it… It was five dollars for the parking… The bathrooms were locked… And an older man in a black sedan from Bartow county kept following my dog and I around the park… So this made us feel nervous, and we decided to leave.
Great little park. Cost $5 to park. Includes several pavilions and picnic tables for birthday parties and picnics. The park has a the beautiful Etowah River running beside the whole park. The ablations dam is just upstream from the park. The water comes from the bottom of the lake making the water ice cold year around. Also includes a full 18 hole disc golf course with many of the holes being shaded. Pretty small over about a great local park.
