Nantahala To Open 2 Adventure Centers at Chattahoochee Recreation Area

Staff Report

The Nantahala Outdoor Center and the National Park Service have announced that NOC will open two riverside adventure centers within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs.

The Parks Service awarded the company a 10-year exclusive contract for operations within the recreation area, which currently receives over three million recreational visitors per year. The facilities will open in the spring 2015.

The company’s Chattahoochee River outposts will offer guided river trips, paddling instruction, paddle sports and specialty retail, guided fishing tours, food and beverage operations, shuttle services, special events, and a wide variety of watercraft rentals including kayaks, canoes, rafts, inner-tubes, and stand-up paddleboards.

The new operations will create roughly 60 new jobs.

The company’s two facilities at Powers Island and Johnson Ferry will sit on eight riverside acres located between Buckhead and East Cobb and less than two miles from the site of the new $700 million Atlanta Braves stadium. They enable NOC to offer both fishing and float trips on the 3.5-mile Johnson Ferry to Powers Island flatwater section and whitewater trips on the popular 3-mile Class II Powers Island to Paces Mill Metro Chattahoochee section.

“We have an exciting and important vision for the Chattahoochee,” said Sutton Bacon, CEO of the Nantahala Outdoor Center. “NOC is thrilled to partner with the National Park Service to introduce new, urban audiences to the physical, emotional, and social benefits of human-powered outdoor recreation. With the upcoming NPS centennial, there is no better time or place than Atlanta to promote the outdoors and the continued relevancy of our public lands.”

The National Parks Service will turn 100 on Aug. 25, 2016.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Superintendent Bill Cox added NOC is a “highly respected company” that brings “professionalism and innovation to spark interest in outdoor adventure to the metro Atlanta area.

“Having NOC as our exclusive outfitter will increase park revenues, enhance visitors’ experiences when renting watercraft, and more safely streamline watercraft operations conducted in the park,” Cox added. “We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to working together to provide quality recreational opportunities on the Chattahoochee River.”

(Photo credit: Nantahala Outdoor Center)