Ease Your Mind with 8 Great Outdoor Activities near Atlanta

My family has always spent a lot of time outdoors, but during the last few months, it’s become more essential than ever. Now, when we spend an hour or two at a fun, safe outdoor destination, it’s like a weight has been instantly lifted off our shoulders. For a while, we forget what’s going on in the world and simply focus on the activity at hand. Being in nature has the proven mental health benefits of reducing stress and anxiety, and my family has experienced that phenomenon firsthand. If you too could use a little nature therapy, then consider a few of these top outdoor activities around the Atlanta area.

1. Visit a state park.

While some local and national parks temporarily closed in the spring, Georgia’s state parks have remained open throughout 2020, providing a much-needed dose of nature. That’s not to say there haven’t been some operational changes at the parks this year. Georgia state parks continue to limit the number of visitors, and many parks have at least some restrictions on facilities, such as closures of splash pads and swimming pools. But, as of this writing, visitors can access most trails, visitor centers, campgrounds, and boat ramps. Before you go, check the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites webpage for current conditions.

This spring, we visited three state parks: Providence Canyon, Vogel, and High Falls, and each offered something different to see. Providence Canyon State Park has unusual red clay canyons, while Vogel State Park features a walking path around the lovely Lake Trahlyta. High Falls State Park includes a spillway dam, waterfall, and hiking paths along the shores of the Towaliga River.

Due to COVID-19-related attendance restrictions, during our Saturday visit to Providence Canyon, we waited at the park entrance for about an hour before we could enter. And even with the restrictions, the park felt a little more crowded than we would have liked. Because it’s one of the most popular parks in Georgia, I recommend visiting Providence Canyon midweek to enjoy the experience with fewer people. As for Vogel State Park and High Falls State Park, we had no delays and felt completely comfortable with the social distancing.

2. Visit a state historic site.

Many of Georgia’s state historic sites also offer outdoor amenities where you can soak up some sunshine. We recently spent an afternoon at the Etowah Indian Mounds where were able to climb three earthen mounds built around 1250 A.D. The site protects a total of six mounds that were used for ceremonial and burial purposes. It also features a small museum with artifacts from the settlement. During our visit, we walked the nature trail along the Etowah River where we saw a V-shaped stone trap used by Native Americans for fishing. The site doesn’t take long to see and you won’t run into many other people, so bring a picnic and enjoy the solitude.

Another good option less than an hour from Atlanta is New Echota, the Cherokee town where the Trail of Tears began in the 1830s. New Echota has a museum and 12 historic buildings spread out across a 200-acre site. While a visit to New Echota isn’t strictly outdoors, much of your time on the property will be spent walking the paths between buildings, and several of the buildings can only be viewed from outside. Read more about our visit to New Echota here.

3. Go to a U-pick farm.

You may have heard that eating blueberries is good for your health, but it turns out that picking blueberries is good for you too. Last month, my family had a safe, socially distanced afternoon at Berry Patch Farms in Woodstock. We spent about an hour at the farm, saw only two or three other families, and came home with a pound of fresh blueberries, all for a mere $2.39. It was a great way to spend some time outside, and we left relaxed and ready to take on the week. Another option for U-pick with a larger variety of fruit is Southern Belle Farms, located south of Atlanta, in McDonough.

Although we’re at the end of the blueberry harvest, another U-pick opportunity is right around the corner with the start of apple season. Based on my past apple-picking experiences, two of the most popular orchards, Hillcrest and B.J. Reece, both in Ellijay, can get extremely busy on weekends. A better option this year might be Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, which offers fewer on-site activities but tends to be less crowded.

For an extensive list of pick-your-own farms in Georgia, click here. You can also find a listing on the pick-your-own page of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

4. Go canoeing, kayaking or tubing.

Ready to wash away the stress of quarantine? Head to the river for canoeing, kayaking or tubing. For river adventures near Atlanta, try Nantahala Outdoor Center. NOC has outposts in Roswell, Sandy Springs and Marietta, which offer flat water and whitewater trips along the Chattahoochee River. NOC has canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, rafts, and tubes for rent, depending on the section of river you choose.

From the Roswell outpost, a leisurely tubing run from Don White Park to Azalea Park takes about three to four hours, while a raft or kayak trip from Island Ford to Azalea Park can be done in about two to three. If you’re interested in an out-and-back trip, consider launching a canoe from Azalea Park. You can head downriver and, if you’re brave enough, do some cliff-jumping about halfway between the park and Morgan Falls dam. (Just keep in mind that you’ll need to paddle back up river when you’re done!)

If you’re up for a drive to the North Georgia mountains, consider Wildwood Outfitters in Cleveland. It offers five- and 10-mile trips on the Upper Chattahoochee River Water Trail. We tried sections 2 and 3 of the water trail this summer and had a blast on the class I and II rapids.

5. Visit a garden.

What better way to get outdoors than to visit a garden? Atlanta has an amazing in-town garden as well as multiple public gardens within a couple hours’ drive.

The Atlanta Botanical Garden includes a suspended canopy walk above Storza Woods, an edible garden with herbs, fruits and vegetables, and a Children’s Garden with a playground. The garden is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., with Mondays reserved for garden members. Because of its temporary closure earlier this year, Atlanta Botanical Garden is also hosting Cocktails in the Garden (usually offered on select Fridays) every Tuesday to Sunday through September 5 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. We visited one evening to beat the heat and were able to relax with a glass of wine and a signature cocktail as we enjoyed the garden views.

Atlanta Botanical Garden also has a Gainesville campus, which recently added its own Children’s Garden. Other options include Gibbs Garden in Ballground, the outdoor paths and gardens of the Atlanta History Center, and the State Botanical Garden in Athens.

6. Go for a bike ride.

Get some exercise and soothe your soul with a long bike ride. For flat, paved trails, my family likes the Roswell Riverwalk and the Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway.

The Roswell Riverwalk is a seven-mile boardwalk and paved path that runs along the Chattahoochee River. Parking is available at several locations along the path, with the largest parking lots located at Riverside Park and the boat launch area of Azalea Park. My favorite part of the Roswell Riverwalk is the beautiful and ever-changing view of the river.

The Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway runs 8.3 miles, starting at Big Creek Park off Old Alabama Road and ending at Webb Bridge Road. What I like about Big Creek Greenway is that it’s mostly shaded, and we often spot deer and other wildlife.

Another great place for a leisurely ride is the Silver Comet Trail. It’s an astonishing 61.5 miles long. At the Georgia/Alabama line, it connects to the Chief Ladiga Trail, making the route a total of 94.5 miles. In the past, we’ve parked at the Highland Station shopping center, which has a Publix and bike shop, and accessed the Mavell Road Trailhead via the Cumberland Connector. Public restrooms and additional paved parking are located farther down the trail at the Concord Road Trailhead and the Floyd Road Trailhead.

7. Go to a skate park.

Budding and accomplished skateboard enthusiasts alike will appreciate a couple of hours spent at the skateboard parks around Atlanta. Although I’m well past skateboarding age, my son has tested the ramps at the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, Brook Run Skate Park, and Kennesaw Skatepark. Of the three, his favorite is Kennesaw because of its plentiful obstacles and range of drop-ins, including ones easy enough for beginners. Of Brook Run, he says that, although it doesn’t have as many obstacles, he likes its combination of small ramps and large bowls, plus plenty of flat area to practice tricks.

From a parent perspective, I like Kennesaw because it has adequate tables and benches near the skate area. I also enjoy an afternoon at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark because we usually follow it with a walk along the Atlanta Beltline and a meal at Krog Street Market.

8. Visit a nature center.

Finally, there are numerous nature centers and preserves in the Atlanta area where you can escape to the outdoors for a while. A couple of my personal favorites are Chattahoochee Nature Center and Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center. The Chattahoochee Nature Center has forest, wetland and river trails, along with bird of prey and beaver habitats. Currently, the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Discovery Center is closed, but for an additional charge, families can soar through the forest on an aerial adventure and zipline tour. Autrey Mill, which is free to visit, has three miles of trails and several animal exhibits, including ducks, a rabbit, chickens, goats and a tortoise.

Need more information about Atlanta outdoor activities? Check out my article on 7 Best Hikes in Atlanta with Kids!

Have a question or recommendation about Atlanta-area outdoor activities not mentioned above? Tell me about it in the comments!