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