Lovely paved trails…read more The BLK Hiking Club started their 2024 hiking season at this park. It was my first hike in GA in over a decade. The Hog Mountain entrance has plenty of parking (our group was over 120 people). The bathrooms are adjacent to the parking lot and were clean and stocked. The water was cold but the hand dryers have warm air so your hands will warm right up on cold days. The map by the parking lot and bathrooms shows the routes of various lengths. The trails are paved and easy to navigate with only slight elevations on the 2 mile trail. Our group of over 120 people had plenty of space and room on the trail (walking 2 by 2). Along the trail there are benches and picnic areas. Overall, this is a beautiful, serene hike that is great for groups. I highly recommend it.

Larger park that in a natural environment, offers playgrounds, paved trails, lakes and picnics…read moreareas. Ample parking. Very pretty and serene setting.

Bowmans Island at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a nice little escape if…read moreyou're looking for a quiet hike with plenty of water views. Parking is easy to find, with enough space for at least 75 cars, including spots near what looks like a boat ramp. It costs $8 for the whole day, which isn't bad if you plan to stay a while. Fishing seems to be the main attraction here. There were plenty of folks (kids and adults alike) either in boats or lined up along the shore, casting their fishing lines off the bank. The trails are mostly easy to moderate, but there are a few steep, narrow spots where you'll need to watch your footing. I walked about 3.5 miles with a hiking group, following a loop that winds through the trees and offers a mix of open views and shaded paths. There are some benches along the way if you need a break. Bathrooms are available, which is always a plus, and there's a lot of green space. But honestly, I wouldn't recommend spreading out a blanket for a picnic as the ground is littered with dog poop, despite the big "no dogs" sign at the entrance. It's about an hour's drive from Atlanta, with the last few miles on Buford Dam Highway being steep and winding. The park wasn't overly crowded when I went, but there were a good number of people fishing or tubing. If you're looking for a peaceful walk by the water and don't mind stepping around a few messes, it's worth checking out.

Plenty of parking. Trails in plenty of places to explore . Replace to take the family for picnic…read moreand grilling.

We were introduced to this trail this fall when we visited family in the Atlanta area, and it's a…read morefind. It is not that remote if you're in the NE side of town. There is ample parking the couple of times we went, but not sure what it's like when it's a busier time on a weekend. There's an expansive playground which no normal kid would not love, but the star is the trail itself. Much of it is boardwalk, through some residential areas), which made it possible for our 4-yo grandson to hone his trainer-bicycle skills. The fact that much of it is shaded is especially important in HOT-lanta during the summer. There's a neat resto in a double-decker gus replica nearby where you can get refreshments if you need it. We've not fully explored it, I don't think - we'll be back!

Great place to run and complete any level of fitness. Great park for the kids. It's a large park…read moreand has plenty to do for all people.

This is a wonderful learning environment for kids. The staff were so attentive and helpful. It was…read morethe perfect activity for our 2 year old grandson and his grandparents!

Bear Creek Nature Center is a hidden gem in Chattahoochee Hills, GA. This is a small animal refuge…read more/ hiking location (with a waterfall nearby) / and conservation center. This non-profit organization is home to numerous reptiles, amphibians, and birds. They even have the only live bats at a nature center in all of Georgia. Admission is $5 per car/driver and $3 for each additional person in your group. This is a great spot for families. They even let my kids pet any small animal in the facility of their choosing. We were given a personal tour of the place and the hike was good for all members of the group. Since not too many people know about this place yet, there was no issue parking. The staff were friendly as well. You can also follow the latest updates of their animals on their FB page. I hope to go back again soon.

Lovely park with a waterfall and several easy hiking trails ! A couple tables with benches at the…read morebeginning, before the wooden bridge.

This is a perfect location for a photoshoot! The parking can be a bit challenging but once you find…read morea spot, you will be able to enjoy the grounds. The bridge and river were picturesque. The waterfall was a popular place to be, as families swam, picnicked, and soaked their feet in the water. It was beyond crowded, so it might help to get there earlier. If you have anyone elderly or injured, you may want to be mindful of the steep hills leading to and from the waterfall- assistance might be needed. A nice place to have a family outing.

Been in Atlanta almost 8 years and never actually climbed or went around the mountain like I did…read morethis day. I've been here before for one of the Halloween events, but this day in particular I was here to actually enjoy the park in broad daylight and not at night. This is definitely the place to get a good workout in. You can walk around the mountain, which is a 5 mile walk or you can walk up the mountain which is 1 mile up. Honey, let me tell you that 1 mile up is not a joke, but you feel so good once you get to accomplish it and see all the other people attending to walk up the mountain. This is a experience for all age groups. The elderly were out there. The young was out there. The middle age was out there. Everyone was there having a good time, exercising and getting in a good stroll in the park. The Rangers are also out in the park for any assistance that you need as well. I thought I was gonna need them plenty of time when I attempted to go up the mountain, but I did just fine and I survived. I prefer to go around the mountain in the 5 mile walk where you see lots of people either on bikes, skates or walking their dog or pushing their kids in strollers it's a great experience and a good walk especially after the weather is decent. Now because I had such a good time, I have to look into getting a pass

We hiked up Stone Mountain before walking down and heading to the America 250 drone and fireworks…read moreshow. The walk up was challenging but doable, and the walk down was easy - but we wished we had realized once we got down it was another 1.2 miles through the woods to get to Stone Mountain itself and see the drone show. If we had known, we'd had paid for the cable car down to end up right where we needed to be. The drone and firewalks show was spectacular and so engaging, and our tickets to the Snack Terrace were well worth it!

Sometimes, actually most times, I use hiking as a way to be alone with my thoughts. To contemplate…read moreand reflect on life and decisions (past, present & future). It's also a great time to pray for my family, friends and the world at large... and simply give thanks for the blessings I sometimes take for granted. I LOVE group hikes, but I cherish deeply the alone value of a solo hike. [ TODAY'S TRAIL ENCOUNTER ] God made me adventurous, there is no doubt about that. The thought of exploring someplace new brings so much excitement and anticipation that I literally tingle inside. So today when I decided to hike a 1.5 mile section of the equestrian trail that I've never taken, even I was surprised at just how eager I was to walk it. I've hiked almost every non-biking trail in this park, but for some reason I've never stepped foot on this segment. Would it be difficult? Would it look different than other parts of the trail? How long before I connect to a section I recognize? And my most dominant thought: Will I meet any horses along the way? I've logged dozens and dozens of hikes here @ Harbins park and not once have I ever met a horse on the trail itself. I find it rather ironic that I get so very excited about the unknown of new hiking trails and vacation destinations, but get so worried over life and its unknowns, especially when it takes unexpected turns. I pondered this clash in thinking as I walked and prayed, asking for guidance and courage for life's challenges. As if on cue, I rounded a section of the trail only to see a deer sitting in wait along the trail. I've never seen a deer just chillaxing like that ever with its legs folded below its body (just like my cat sitting on her favorite ottoman peering out the window). I was thrilled, but I couldn't get my camera out fast enough to capture the image before it stood and ran off into the woods. While I would come to encounter about a half dozen more deer during my short walk, I kept hoping to see a horse. I figured the chances were extremely low since my hike would be shorter than normal (3 miles instead of 9) and I'd never seen one here on the trails before. There is a point on the equestrian trail where you can either continue or taken an emergency exit trail that bypasses nearly 3.5 miles of the main trail. Since I'd just hiked 8 miles the day before, I decided to take the shortcut and give my old legs a rest. But as good fortune would have it, I discovered two riders walking their horses on this side trail. I couldn't believe my eyes!! How odd that I would get my wish on a shortcut route I generally never use. What was even more interesting is I knew one of the riders from church. I've invited her & her family many times to join one of the OFF-THE-GRID yelp hikes that I host monthly. As we talked, I shared the date of the next upcoming hike and wouldn't you know it, she is free! God works in mysterious ways indeed! [ AMENITIES ] What an amazing park!!! * Harbins Park is the largest Gwinnett County park @ 1,960 acres * Trails include a 4.3-mile paved multi-purpose trail, 7-mile equestrian trail, 13-mile mountain biking trail and 4.5-mile hiking trail. * Several playground, picnic pavilions, grills, restrooms, and parking areas including an equestrian trailer parking. * The Football Complex has a lighted walking track, dog park, lake, and 1.5-mile paved trail. * The Baseball Complex includes seven baseball/softball fields, restrooms, concessions, and a LARGE parking area. * The main park also has a water pump in the parking area to rinse trail mud off your mountain bike. * Believe it or not, the public restrooms are generally clean, stocked and SMELL GOOD!!! [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] I ponder a great many things, wishing for answers and hoping for wisdom to better manage life's complexities. Like most people, when it comes to life I just want to know where it's going. Funny how something as simple as a hike can reveal small truths. Truths like how you may never know the twists and turns of your trails, or be able to control the ups & downs of your journey; But if you keep pressing forward with good thoughts, excitement and openness to possibilities, God will surely give you wonders and delights along the way to encourage you. 2019/118

Awesome park! Two entrances with two different parks for the kids. Great trails for anyone from…read moreintermediate to experienced. Pathed walking path and trails in the woods. The river is awesome to relax and just breathe for a while! Highly recommend!!