National Park Week DYK: Cobb County's "Almost National Parks" Attract 3+ Million Visitors Annually

The summit of Kennesaw Mountain is a popular destination for many of the national battlefield's 1.3 million annual visitors.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

While there are no "official" US national parks in Cobb County, there's still time during National Park Week to visit some of the not-quite-national-park locations in Cobb County managed by the US National Park Service.

If you're confused, here's the distinction. The National Park Service manages 424 individual units covering more than 85 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. Only 63 of those are designated as official "National Parks." The others fall into 18 additional naming categories while still being managed by the National Park Service.

Here in Cobb County, two National Park managed locations offer five sites with great local hiking trails, a variety of terrain, and land that ranges from mountain top to river bottom. And the popularity of both might surprise you, as together they attract more than 3 million visitors annually, according to National Park Service statistics.

Following is the summary:

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA). Nearly 20 sites stretch along the Chattahoochee river between Lake Lanier and Atlanta. Four are located in Cobb County, including the Gold Branch, Johnson Ferry, Cochran Shoals and Palisades units. Several of these have multiple entry points. All include hiking and walking trails, with those at Palisades climb the high bluffs that give the unit its name and hide a secret bamboo forest. Chattahoochee NRA ranks 21st on the most recent listing of the National Parks Service most-visited sites, ahead of Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park and even Yellowstone National Park.

After a walk along the river bank, you can climb the high palisades for this view of Devil's Run on the Chattahoochee River.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is the country's most-visited national battlefield or military park site, with 1.3 million visitors each year. In fact, KeMo attracts twice as many visitors as Gettysburg. A sunrise hike to the summit of Kennesaw Mountain provides great exercise and views. Hikes at Noses Creek and Chetham Hill are pleasant walks through the shaded forest, where wildlife is spotted often. The total park at KeMo offers more than 20 miles of hiking and walking trails for all levels.

We often spot wildlife along the remote trails at Noses Creek and Cheatham Hill at Kennesaw Mountain.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

More Local Hiking

If you enjoy a good hike, check out these other locations near Cobb County:

3 Favorite Cobb County Hikes

Great Dam Views at Cooper's Furnace

The View from Panoramic Pine Mountain

All Hiking Blogs by DeanLand

Follow DeanLand on NewsBreak

Want to see more about outdoors, hiking, history, dining and family adventures in Cobb County, North Georgia and beyond. Follow DeanLand on Newsbreak to keep up-to-date with the latest.