Nature, Wildlife & Outdoors Attractions Near Atlanta
Atlanta is well situated for the great outdoors, with many nature reserves, state parks, and other outdoor attractions located both in the city itself and within a day trip distance.
In Atlanta there are several small nature preserves throughout the city, offering woodland trails and a historic mill, a nature center with local wildlife and plants, and the expansive Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, whose several separate units offer a variety of recreational opportunities.
There are also several beautiful state parks are within a reasonable drive of Atlanta, showcasing the best of Georgia’s geology and scenery. Highlights include Cloudland Canyon State Park and Panola Mountain State Conservation Park.
Also within reach of Atlanta are the North Georgia mountains, which are especially delightful to visit in fall.
See also:
– Black history attractions in Atlanta
– Art museums in Atlanta
– Museums and historic houses in Atlanta
– Atlanta events by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
In Atlanta
Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
This small but surprisingly peaceful nature preserve protects one of the oldest surviving woodlands within Atlanta’s city limits, and is also the site of the Civil War Battle of Utoy Creek.
2852 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
404-546-6744
Morningside Nature Preserve
This small nature preserve, a 30-acre forested area, with hiking trails, around the South Fork Peachtree Creek, is located in northeast Atlanta’s residential suburbs.
2020 Lenox Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
404-275-7577
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center
Situated to the northeast of Atlanta, this area was formerly the territory of the Cherokee people until they were forced westwards; it was later developed as farmland and then as a mill. There is a restored village at the site (usually open for special events), with a church, country store and tenant farmhouse, plus recreations of American Indian dwellings.
The preserve’s trails are open year round, with occasional guided hikes available (for which a fee usually applies). The visitor center has displays of local reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.
9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, GA 30022
678-366-3511
Website
Grounds open daily, 8am-dusk. Visitor Center open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm and Sunday, 12pm-4pm. Free admission, donations accepted. Leashed dogs welcome.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075
770-992-2055
Website
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a wildlife rehabilitation and education center, located near Roswell, GA alongside the Chattahoochee River. Besides its wildlife exhibits, it has both woodland and wetland trails, gardens with hundreds of native plants and a butterfly garden, plus wetland exhibits displaying the several different wetland environments in Georgia.
The center is open daily: Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, and Sunday, 12pm-5pm. Adults $10, seniors (65+)/students (13-18) $7, children (3-12) $6.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Multiple locations
Website
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a series of 15 recreation areas situated along a nearly 50 mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River to the north and northeast of Atlanta. A map of the entire National Recreation Area and trail maps for each of the individual units are available here.
Activities include hiking, boating, cycling and fishing. The parks are open daily, dawn until dusk. Leashed pets are welcome. A daily per-vehicle fee of $5 applies.
Near Atlanta
Panola Mountain State Conservation Park
2600 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7801
Website
An alternative to Stone Mountain, only 18 miles southeast of Atlanta, is Panola Mountain State Conservation Park, part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Its own 100-acre granite outcrop is similar to its more famous neighbor, but located within a less developed setting and absent, too, the Confederate relic.
Panola Mountain offers opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities, including special activities such as tree climbing and guided hikes. The park is open daily, 7am to dusk. Admission is free, but there is a $5 parking fee. Charges may apply for some activities. Leashed pets are welcome.
Stone Mountain Park
One of the Atlanta region’s more troublesome – and popular – tourist attractions is Stone Mountain. Famous for its beautiful scenery, unusual geology and the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world, Stone Mountain is also the world’s largest Confederate memorial: the image carved into its side depicts Confederate Generals Lee and Jackson and the CSA President Jefferson Davis.
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Website
Sweetwater Creek State Park, around 16 miles west of downtown Atlanta, preserves the ruins of the New Manchester (formerly Sweetwater) Manufacturing Company mills and the surrounding natural area. Activities include hiking, canoeing and fishing. Ranger-led hikes are also offered, for which reservations and a fee may be required. There is also a visitor center with exhibits on local history and wildlife.
The park is open daily, 7am-sunset. Visitor center hours are 9am-5pm. Admission is free, but a $5 parking charge applies.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738
Website
Cloudland Canyon State Park, around 2.5 hours northwest of Atlanta near the Alabama and Tennessee borders, is one of Georgia’s most scenic state parks, on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. Its highlights are the beautiful views out over a 1000ft-2000ft deep canyon and its waterfalls.
Activities at the park include camping, hiking, biking and horse riding. Although most of the park’s hiking trails are moderate to strenuous, good views over the canyon can be enjoyed via an easy walk.
The park is open daily, 7am-10pm. Admission is free, but a $5 parking charge applies.
Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet Trail is a 60-mile, wheelchair-accessible, hiking, cycling and horse riding trail running westwards from Smyrna (west of Atlanta) to the state line with Alabama. It follows the route of the Silver Comet passenger train, operated by the Seaboard Airline Railroad from 1947 to 1969. Leashed pets are welcome.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-427-4686
Website
Northwest of Atlanta, near Marietta, is the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, site of the Civil War’s 1864 Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, between the armies of Union General William Sherman and Confederate General Joseph Johnston.
The Civil War earthworks and cannon emplacements can still be seen, and there is also a visitor center with a 35-minute film and exhibits pertaining to the Atlanta Campaign. You can also enjoy hiking and other outdoor pursuits in the almost 3000-acre park.
The battlefield grounds and visitor center are open daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Grounds, dawn to dusk; visitor center, 9am-5pm. Leashed pets are welcome. Admission and parking are free, but on weekends and holidays the road up to the mountain top is closed and replaced with a shuttle bus, for which a fee of $3 for adults and $1.50 for children ages 6-11 applies.