East Palisades Loop, Whitewater Creek lot

Photo of East Palisades beaver by Chuck R.  Thanks Chuck!

Avg. Moving Speed:  up to 2.8 mph with sections up to 3.4 mph

Trail Condition:  slippery and hazardous in places with the usual experiences of leaves over nuts, rocks, and roots, plus extra sticks and blowdowns. 

If you have D2 experience, the terrain and speed of this hike may be uncomfortable for you so the hike is rated D3.

We will hike the river trail (Whitewater Creek Trail) then uphill on the rather rooty and uneven creek trail.  After a moment on the ridge trail, we will head downhill on the creek trail (East Palisades Trail) with the numerous creek crossings on stepping logs.  Our last creek trail will be the flat one (Long Island Creek) near the Whitewater Creek park drive.  

If you think you are a slow hiker, then this hike would not be one you would want to choose.

East Palisades is a unique hike in a densely forested park that rises to 400 feet above the Chattahoochee River. It offers some of the most scenic views of the river south of Lake Lanier.  This hike will encompass the 48 acre park and include many of the Creeks and tributaries.

The loop hike will include the Poppi's Point Overlook deck as well as the Bamboo Forest.

Please note the physical address and the directions mentioned below are approximate; the best way to get to the parking lot is by GPS.  

From Google Maps, type: East Palisades Whitewater

From I -285 East
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road. 
- Right on Northside Drive.
- Go through the Powers Ferry intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (Caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 mile to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and entrance will be on the right (.1 mile).

From I-285 West
- Take exit 22, Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.
- Straight to second traffic light.
- Left on Northside Drive, through the Powers Ferry Road intersection for 1.6 miles to Harris Trail (caution light).
- Right on Harris Trail and .9 miles to Whitewater Creek Road.
- Right and travel.1 mile to the entrance on the right.

From I-75 North
- Take exit 256, Mt. Paran Road.
- Right on Mt. Paran Road to first traffic light (Harris Trail)
- Left on Harris Trail to Whitewater Creek Road
- Right about .4 miles to the unit which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway South)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Right on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

From U.S. 41 (Cobb Highway North)
- Travel to Mt. Paran Road
- Turn left on Mt. Paran Road, go to the first traffic light (Harris Trail) and turn left.
- Go about .3 miles turn left onto Whitewater Creek Road.
- Go .4 miles to the unit, which is on the left.

Electronic payment at QR code sign  for $5 parking unless you have an annual pass, which you can apply for HERE.

Trail Maps - 

National Park Service http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/upload/ TrailMapPalisadesEast.pdf

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The AOC continues to follow federal, state, local and CDC guidelines to help contain the spread of COVID-19. A national Executive Order enacted on January 20, 2021 states “...on-duty or on-site Federal employees, on-site Federal contractors, and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines.” Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park and the CRNRA parks are examples of federal lands.