Budget Friendly Family Vacations at the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area

The Chattahoochee National Recreation Area is very big and follows the meandering of the river itself. It starts at the north end from the Lake Lanier Reservoir in Georgia and continues its journey all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama. It actually wonders through Atlanta and all it's urban features under bridges and through towns and byways.

It is easy to take this national treasure for granted but it has kid-friendly outdoor recreation and education to offer for school visits and family outings.

I live in Roswell and some of the city parks are on the north bank of a river. Where you can fish, grill out, read a book or row a skull down the mirror like river in early mornings. Ride your bike, go for long walks and enjoy the wildlife.

The river played an important role in the civil war by transporting textile goods from the Roswell Mill to military establishments in the south. Roswell has started a farmers market were small local farmers bring goods to sell each Saturday on the banks of the Chattahoochee. Summer concerts for families on Saturday night are free and allow our families to mingle and enjoy the outdoors. It's a great mix of history entertainment.

You can rent canoes with accessories and canoe your family down the river. Kayaks and tubes are available also. The local young people find stretches of the river that are shallow and sunbath on the rocks as well as mingle, listen to the wildlife, watch a sunset or even study while being able to enjoy the cool refreshing water. All of this can be used for budget friendly family vacations.

Fishing licenses in Georgia for seven days is only $20 and that includes your trout stamp. Fly fishing classes abound in the area and plenty of great spots to learn and enjoy the outdoor activity on your own or with friends and family.

There are hundreds of hiking trails along the Chattahoochee River and is a great time to share educational things like plant and animal life with your kids. Make sure you wear good dry hiking boots and that all your hiking gear is in good condition. Its very important to know hiking safety rules and take along a hiking map so you know where you are at all times. It also helps us to connect to the great outdoors and allows our souls to soak in the calmness that only comes from being engulfed in these beautiful surroundings.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell is also a jewel. Here you can learn about plants and animals that inhabit the river. The river is a part of our ecology and well being as a community and as such the center is a means of study and research. Take a naturalist-led canoe trip on the river, Camp Kingfisher for the kids, or on June 20^th be on hand for the opening of the new Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee Watershed.

Families take advantage of this national park whether it is a solitary walk or hike, fishing for food, educating your children or just having fun on vacation during the summer. Enjoy what nature has to display and teach your children well the lessons of stewardship of our natural treasures. It's where nature comes alive!