The 10 Best Forests in Georgia, Georgia

March 6, 2022 Velvet Champine

While Atlanta is the anchor and capital of Georgia, you can aim in any direction to find distinctly different regions – from the tail of the Appalachians in the North to the rolling Piedmont hills and on down to the seaside marshes in the East. Atlanta lays claim to the state’s number one attraction – Stone Mountain State Park. They say it best - “Serious fun. Endless adventure.” Just 15 minutes from downtown, the world’s largest exposed granite dome is surrounded by 3,200 acres of natural beauty and stimulating activities for every member of the family – sky rides and hiking paths, laser shows and pedal boats along Stone Mountain Lake. Golfers tee it up, while red foxes dash across the fairways in a state where the Masters Golf Tournament creates revered green-jacket memories every year. It’s a long downhill ride down to historic Savannah, a ‘stone’s throw’ from the Atlantic and a virtual step back in time to Southern architecture and stately squares. St. Simon’s and Jekyll Islands offer barrier island beauty and a wonderful combination of outdoor activities, historic sites and artistic culture. Originally the private winter playground of wealthy northeasterners, Jekyll Island stretches along 10 miles of coastal beaches and inland marshes. Cycling and walking paths wind under moss-laden oaks, and a tour of Millionaire Village takes you back to those Cornelius Vanderbilt and J.P. Morgan days. The kid-friendly Summer Waves Water Park adds man-made fun to natural water sport activities. Coastal golf courses and sophisticated St. Simon’s Island appeal to moms, dads and vacationing couples.
Restaurants in Georgia

1. Chattahoochee National Forest

Clayton, GA +1 706-864-6173 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/confrecreation
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 71 reviews

Chattahoochee National Forest

A national forest offering a wealth of outdoor activities.

Reviewed By Q8105RDdan - Panama City Beach, United States

The Chattahoochee National Forest covers 18 North Georgia counties and includes over 2,200 miles of rivers and streams. There are over 450 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to extremely strenuous so choose the one best suited for you. The beginning of the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail is located here. There are also numerous waterfalls you can hike to and enjoy. My brother & I recently visited. We hiked Desota Falls, Panther Creek, Raven Falls, & Brasstown Bald. We had a great time and can’t wait to return. Just driving through this beautiful area will provide you with some of the most spectacular views in the country. Highly recommend!

2. Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area

5872 Highway 53 W, Dawsonville, GA 30534 +1 770-535-5700 https://georgiawildlife.com/dawson-forest-wma
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3 reviews

Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area

Reviewed By 69UsAf73 - Gainesville, United States

First I recommend that you google the area and get a little of the history of this particular area. It does have a significant history to it. Anyway the wife and I ventured out this way once my son in law told us about it. It was close to where we live so we headed on down. Once we arrived we parked our car in the big parking area which you will share with horse ttrailers. Horse trailers you ask? Yes, there are trails throughout the park that is shared and you most likely run into a few horses along your walk or I should say hike. Looking from the parking area toward the forest you can see a large chain linked fenced off area that once you walk around it and see some of the signs both posted signs and signs of things past you most likely can tell what was here back in the day. The area is large and requires alot of walking but there is still a few signs of used to be present. Something none of us would want to have near us. It actually was an exploritory laboratory type area having to do with radioactive research. Expect to spend some time here but like I said at the beginning of this do some research on google so you'll understand a little about what you'r seeing. Put on your walking shoes.

3. Cohuttas

Chatsworth, GA
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Forest featuring beautiful biking trails.

4. Melon Bluff Nature & Heritage Reserve

2999 Islands Hwy, Midway, GA 31320-5919 +1 912-884-5779 [email protected]
Excellent
40%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

Melon Bluff Nature & Heritage Reserve

5. Sope Creek Trail

3760 Paper Mill Rd SE, Marietta, GA 30067 http://www.nps.gov/chat/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Excellent
70%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 119 reviews

Sope Creek Trail

Reviewed By Bostonterrier61 - Huntersville, United States

This trail is an enjoyable hike that goes' to the ruins of a stacked-stone Civil War-era paper mill on the banks of a rocky creek, and then loop to a pond nat the Chattahoochee River park in Atlanta. The old mill was built in 1855 and was destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War, targeted for its role in paper production used for Confederate currency. The remnants of the foundation and walls stand, cathedral-like, beside Sope Creek, and a small spillway waterfall runs beside the ruins. As you follow the paths around the ruins, the hike reaches the creek’s banks and begins following the creek’s downstream flow. The creek provided a beautiful backdrop to the forested canopy and makes for a peaceful hike. Come and enjoy the views!

6. Cannon's Point Preserve

Lawrence Road, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 +1 912-638-9109 [email protected] http://www.sslt.org
Excellent
58%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 52 reviews

Cannon's Point Preserve

Cannon's Point Preserve is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays 9am - 3pm. The non-motorized boat launch is open for launching from 9am - 1pm. There is a kiosk at the entrance to the Preserve where visitors will find maps and other information. On days when Cannon's Point is open to the public, there will be a volunteer on-site welcoming visitors. Cannon's Point Preserve has some of the last intact maritime forest on St. Simons Island and is rich in cultural and natural history. The peninsula has over six miles of salt marsh, tidal creek and river shore line that provide habitat for wildlife such as oysters, birds, fish, manatee and shell fish. On site visitors can view the ruins of a large plantation home, overseer's home, and slave quarters built by John Couper in the 1800s.

Reviewed By melissaaQ7050VS

Beautiful, easy 5 mile round trip hike (not counting the side paths) with a great destination point. We arrived to misty rain and cold but the tree cover kept us pleasantly dry until it warmed up for the day. The employees/volunteers were incredibly friendly and made sure to point us to the facilities before we took off on the hike. The ground was stable and the hike level. The signs posted were all very clear and there is really no chance of getting lost or disoriented here. The remains of the Cannon house at the end of the walk were impressive and fascinating. We really enjoyed this hike and the history that went along with it.

7. Big Trees Forest Preserve

7645 Roswell Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350-4840 +1 770-673-0111 http://www.bigtreesforest.com
Excellent
48%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Big Trees Forest Preserve

8. Blue Ridge Lake Recreation Area

Blue Ridge Lake Recreation Area, Blue Ridge, GA 30513 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10547
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Blue Ridge Lake Recreation Area

Reviewed By FLWOOKIE - Indialantic, United States

The Blue Ridge Lake Recreation Area has a very well maintained and paved hiking trail through the woods around the lake. The trail provides views of the lake and a couple of areas to walk down to the lake bed. There is also a place to drop a boat for boat owners. This is an easy place for families with kids of all ages.

9. Oconee National Forest

C M Copelan Road, Madison, GA 30650 +1 770-297-3000 http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/home
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
25%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

10. Sosebee Cove

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Dahlonega, GA
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
34%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 3 reviews

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.