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Atlanta Outdoors & Activities
As part of CL's City Guide, enjoy our list of suggestions for exploring Atlanta's natural beauty, trails and all things outdoors.
Things to do outdoors
Best Intown Parks Article
Sunday March 21, 2021 08:23 pm EDT
Our list of the best intown Atlanta parks.
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Best OTP Parks Article
Sunday March 21, 2021 06:35 pm EDT
Our list of the best Parks outside of the Perimeter
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Best Places to Commune with Nature Article
Sunday March 21, 2021 03:18 pm EDT
Our list of parks, trails and ideas for getting back in touch with nature.
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Best Dog Parks in Atlanta Article
Saturday March 20, 2021 05:06 pm EDT
Our recommendations of the best dog parks in Atlanta.
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Atlanta: The city in the forest Article
Monday March 1, 2021 03:33 pm EST
A guide to outdoors in Atlanta
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Where to hike ITP in Atlanta Article
Saturday January 2, 2021 03:39 pm EST
Explore the outdoors and commune with nature without leaving town
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Ten great camping escapes Article
Saturday January 2, 2021 02:11 pm EST
Regional campgrounds offer a 'safe' place to leave the world behind
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7 excuses to let dog be your copilot Article
Monday December 28, 2020 04:00 am EST
Scope these pooch-friendly spots
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15 ways to spend the day outdoors Article
Sunday December 27, 2020 04:00 am EST
From hiking trails to nature preserves, it's time to leave the house
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18 places to bask in Atlanta's greenery Article
Sunday December 27, 2020 04:00 am EST
The city in the forest' keeps its tree canopy on fleek
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Outdoor Gear
Atlanta Trails
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area Park
CL: Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a must-see destination come springtime if you are inclined to visit only one OTP spot. The mountain’s stunning geologic formations are home to five species of plant life that are listed on the state and federal endangered lists, including the bright red diamorpha plant, which lives and thrives in small pools of water. It’s an extremely rare, colorful, and very fragile ecosystem that at times feels like visiting another planet. Spiderwebbed with trails, this former quarry vividly demarcates the collision of nature and industry.
Only 20 minutes away from the city, Arabia Mountain offers both a beautiful hike and over 400 years of history. The area is home to more than 12 miles of nature trails and 30 miles of paved bike paths along wooded areas and wetlands. The rich plant life, including the vibrant diamorpha bloom and at least five endangered plants, gives the rock an outerspace feel.
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a must-see destination come springtime if you are inclined to visit only one OTP spot. The mountain’s stunning geologic formations are home to five species of plant life that are listed on the state and federal endangered lists, including the bright red diam...
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Cascade Springs Nature Preserve Park
Established in 1979 with city, state and federal funds, the 120-acre woodland and former Creek Indian settlement features steep inclines, a babbling creek, a waterfall, and is home to deer and more than 150 native plant species. It includes an old spring house where tourists once bathed and the rema...
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Chattahoochee Nature Center Park
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a private non-profit, 127-acre, award-winning, interpretive center dedicated to environmental education. Visitors particularly enjoy the new Gold level LEED-certified Discovery Center Museum and Nature Exchange with hands-on/minds-on exhibits that tell the Chattaho...
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Constitution Lake Park Park
It’s easy to forget that Constitution Lakes lies inside the Perimeter, considering how much wildlife thrives amid this 200-acre park located deep in Southeast Atlanta. The wetlands boardwalk offers a peaceful journey into a primitive Georgia landscape, where cedar waxwings, green herons, kingfishers...
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Doll's Head Trail Park
Out past the Starlight Drive-In Theatre, heading south on Moreland Avenue is an Atlanta cultural gem: the mythical DOLL’S HEAD TRAIL. Created by ATL’s Joel Slaton, the trail is an outsider art exhibit with enough weirdness and compelling art made from refuse to leave you contemplating its existence ...
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Freedom Park Park
Spanning a whopping 210 acres, this is one of the largest city parks in Atlanta. Dog walkers can admire the park's permanent art installations along the walking trails. Bicyclists can follow its network of multi-use paths to some of the city's coolest neighborhoods — or link up with the Atlanta Belt...
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Piedmont Park Tourist Attractions
The 200-plus-acre park with tennis, walking trails, and a pond has been Atlanta's place to go on a Sunday afternoon since it was first purchased by the city in 1904. Piedmont Park added 13 acres in 2013 and unveiled a collection of new entrances. The add-on near the intersection of Piedmont Road and...
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Sweetwater Creek State Park Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views o...
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Additional content on the REI website:
ATL Outdoors
ATL Trails
Camping
Glamping
State Parks
National Parks
Also see: Things to Do
Atlanta Hiking - Guide to Parks, Trails and Outdoors
