Sometimes, actually most times, I use hiking as a way to be alone with my thoughts. To contemplate and 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 read more

See all

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

Harbins Park - Trails Map - Playgrounds Near Me - Dacula, Georgia

See all

Nice park, but isolated areas. Go walking and we'll kept. It very hilly, but will go you a challenge.

This is a large park, and I only explored a fraction of it on the hiking trail. This review is for the hiking trail only. Easy hiking trail with a very constant width. Compared to other woodland Georgia park trails, this trail has fewer ankle twisters. Fewer rocks, fewer roots, fewer erosion cuts. Slightly longer than the 4.5 miles advertised on the website, per the crudely painted mile markers (I hope they put up proper mile markers instead of painting trees, which is unattractive). The walk is even a bit longer than that considering the trail-head is a half mile from the parking lot along the multi-use meadow loop. So, it's a fairly long hike for a county park, although you will not find much in the way of elevation change. The park master plan - downloadable from the website - suggests that more trail is coming. A smaller loop inside the existing loop towards the southern end, and a trail on the other side of Alcovy River, accessed by a bridge. As for the trail experience, I have to say it's not terribly interesting the first couple of miles (as you travel CW). The scenery and terrain don't change much, so after you've soaked in the trees and listened to the sounds for a few hundred yards, that is pretty much what you're going to get until coming to the boardwalk at the south end. There are no distance views anywhere along the trail. Mind you, it's still a good experience and much better than, in my opinion, walking some of the paved paths you find in many Gwinnett parks. The trail is more interesting on the return half. A nice exposure of the ubiquitous granite/migmatite (I'm not sure of the exact lithology of this particular outcrop) you find locally (Stone Mtn, Arabia Mtn, Panola, etc), along with the wonderful mosses and lichens that grow on the rock. Past the boardwalk, the return trail winds a bit more and crosses a couple of creeks. Plenty of mushrooms growing, if you're into that. Some quite large. Safety features: at the southern end, they have 'emergency access to parking lot' paths that shortcut the trail if you find yourself unable to complete the full length. These are not shown on the pdf trail map. Also, all along the trail you will find 'locator' numbers that will precisely locate you if you have to call for help using 911. The park also has miles and miles of mountain bike paths, as well as horse trails. Huge parking lot. We were there on a summer Thursday afternoon and the lot was virtually empty, which is not too surprising given the heat and humidity of the day. But the park can accommodate a lot of visitors. Very clean park, which is not the case with all Gwinnett County parks (I'm looking at you, Yellow River Park). Verdict: Harbins Park is nice but is more oriented towards family activities, mountain biking or horses, none of which interest me. Given the size, I'd think this would be a great park for bikes. I do like the length of the hiking trail even if it isn't the most interesting in the Atlanta metro area. Davidson-Arabia Mountain, Little Mulberry, Panola and even Ft Yargo State Park are all a bit better for hiking due to the better scenery and terrain. And there's Sweetwater Creek on the other side of Atlanta, probably the best hiking park in the metro area. read more

See all

This is the second Harbins Park, which is located about 1 mile away from the other Harbins Park, which is known for Cycling, Mountain Bike riding, walking/running/jogging trails and its equestrian trails. The location here is primary used for baseball, they have about four huge baseball domes and 7 batting cages that are used throughout the baseball season. These can probably be used when games not are being held. Sometimes during the weekdays when I come out here to ride I see parents playing tee-ball with their kids. Harbins Park 2 is brand new, it was completed in 2013 and has a 1 mile multipurpose paved trail for walking, running, jogging, or cycling. In the centre of the park, they have a really nice playground area for the children to enjoy, now it is not as big as the main Harbins Park off Luke Edwards Rd, but it is completely unique. This is one thing that I really enjoy about gwinnett parks, all of their parks are completely different and are not cookie cutter designed. Enjoy the pictures. Stay healthy and fit. ;) read more

See all

Football horses and hiking Harbins Park is a huge and sprawling park of almost 2,000 acres. All kinds of undeveloped woods as well as a wide variety of activities are available. Just about anything a person could possibly want to do outside can be done here. The park has high quality baseball, football and soccer fields, playgrounds and pavilions, grills for picnics and even a dog park. Once away from the developed area acres and acres of woods go in all directions. A fantastic place with over seven miles of equestrian trails, miles of paved trails for road bikes and also challenging trails for mountain biking. And of course all kinds of paths for hiking and jogging, some paved and others very narrow and slippery. A wonderful and impressive park that has just about anything for anyone of any age. It would take a long, long time to explore and utilize everything this amazing park has to offer. read more

See all

Love this park. The trails and dog park is amazing. Great crew that works the park. One day my battery died they helped and followed up next time they saw me. read more

I love this park it has a horse trails hiking trails bike trails and walking trails. Feels safe it's my go to exercise park

Harbins Park. Why are you so confusing? GPS takes us to the trail. However, we will pass "Harbins Park" baseball field. I was going to Harbins Park for my nephew's birthday party. My SIL rented Pavilion #2. WTH. Where is it? So I called the others who were already there. Everyone got lost. If you have not gone to Harbins Park, you will get confused!! We went to another area that says Harbins Park but it was for a parking lot for horses. Yes, bring your own horses! My family told me go as far as the cul-de-sac and take that right. The playground and pavilion will be there. Now, that is gorgeous. It is secluded and great for parties! There is a little water area for the kids to cool off. Enough land to play football as well. I was impressed. It's beautiful. I did not take any pictures cause I just didn't think about it. I met a childhood friend who I haven't seen since I was two years old. Yes, you read that right, TWO years, that was many decades ago! Richard R has great pics of Harbins Park of the pavilion, playground, and water area. He also has a really descriptive review of the trails which I want to tackle one day. Gwinnett has beautiful parks to get your fitness on. If you're looking for Harbins Park, don't forget there's many entrances for it. Just depends what part of Harbins Park you have in mind. 119/2017 read more

Nice family oriented park. Our daughter is 5 and she even Loved it (probably the big jungle gyms). Nice trails with shade and sun. The park is very clean and dog friendly. read more

Great scenery! Huge park for biking, running or walking. I always bring the kids so they can burn off some energy.

Excellent facilities. New and well cared for. Need covered stands and longer foul net.

Really challenging black top trails other than off road trails. And love the challenge. Trying to get in shape to go up that big hill at Tribble Mill where the blacktop trail crosses the road. Well lit here and so lit up I was able to see everything in my car when it got dark. Feel very safe here. People are really shy or really friendly here. Very family friendly park. You can even wash your bike here. They also have call stations with a mile marker there throughout the park if you have an Emergency. read more

Harbins Park - Playgrounds Near Me - Dacula, Georgia

A great 4.5 mile hike - winds up and down the hillside. The trail comes up on the Alcovy river or outlet to the river, beautiful! Saw many deer prints but no deer sightings on this trip. Peaceful and spotless - Not one piece of litter on the entire trial. Will definitely be going back for more hikes. - JoeUSA.com read more

Great park. Paved trails for walking and biking. Plenty of wooded unpaved trails for more challenging hikes. Clean restrooms, plenty of parking, and big playground for kids. read more

I love this park! It's SO beautiful. I've visited 4 times since discovering it. There are several different "wings" but my favorite is the wooden children's play area. There's a big open grass field surrounding the gazebo and it's so nice to look at. I like to sit and gaze and let my busy mind wander. The park is pretty secluded, which can be creepy, so I never visit alone. read more

Absolutely the best dog park around, not very crowded but enough dogs to play with! Also the park in general is very clean and well taken care of. We don't have children but they have a huge playground that's very cool, also long hiking trails with a beautiful view!! So glad we found this park ! read more

This is a very good place to get out in the sun and get vitamin D, plus it is a kid friendly place with a play ground for the little kid to play on. read more

This is my go to spot for mountain biking since I live in the area. Over 15 miles of trails (not sure how many exactly). It's not as rough as Chicopee as far as roots and not quite as technical. Nice little trails for a quick weekday ride!! read more

When you Google Harbins Park, it does not tell you the different field types are at different locations. Would be better to know this. I went to Gwinnett County website and saw the breakdowns there, wow lots going on. read more

My family and I LOVE this park. We go there for mountain bike riding mostly. They have some great trails for most levels of mt. bikers. We've even seen some beautiful wildlife while riding. read more