Riverside Park Day Use Area

About

Riverside Park Day Use Area sits along the Etowah River just below Allatoona Dam, approximately 35 miles north of Atlanta. This is a day-use only facility operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with no overnight camping permitted. The park features two group shelters available for reservation: Shelter A accommodates up to 200 people and is located directly on the river with adjacent horseshoe pits, sand volleyball court, and open playing field. Shelter B is a smaller wooded shelter along a creek with 50-person capacity. The park is home to the Etowah Disc Golf Course, which opened in 2017 and has become one of the most popular courses in North Georgia. A small boat ramp provides river access, though navigable distance is limited due to a subdam three miles downstream. There is no swim beach. The Vinyard Mountain Hiking Trail is accessible from the park. All vehicles must pay a $5 use fee unless visiting as part of a shelter reservation. Restrooms are available within walking distance of both shelters. The surrounding area features dense hardwood forests of oak, maple, hickory, and dogwood, with wildlife including deer, fox, and occasional black bear sightings.

Directions

From I-75, take Exit 285 (Red Top Mountain Road). Northbound traffic turns left, southbound turns right onto Red Top Mountain Road. Turn right at the first traffic light onto the connector to Highway 41. Turn right onto Highway 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: 513 Allatoona Dam Road SE, Cartersville, GA 30121.