Morgan Falls River Park

Based on the park’s popularity, you might think that Morgan Falls Overlook Park has the best views of Morgan Falls, which can be a bit confusing. Morgan Falls River Park (also known as Sandy Springs Dog Park) is a small 3- or 4-acre park along the Chattahoochee River right below the Morgan Falls Hydro Dam, the first place to give hydroelectric power to Atlanta. The dam was originally built in 1904 by the Georgia Power company to provide electricity for Atlanta’s now extinct streetcars, and now it powers 4,400 homes in Northern Atlanta.

If you’re lucky enough to be at the park when the dam releases water, which can be fairly unpredictable depending on water needs and the weather, you’ll remember why it’s called Morgan Falls. An impressive cascade 56 feet tall and almost 900 feet long will unleash thousands of gallons a second. Even when it is not releasing water, the park provides nice views of the river and a fenced off-leash dog park that attracts dog lovers from all over Sandy Springs.

Park amenities also include a fishing pier, a boat ramp, and several informational signs that give a history of the dam and the surrounding area.