The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Georgia, Georgia

January 27, 2022 Weston Hennigan

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. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

2700 Suwannee Canal Rd, Folkston, GA 31537-7906 +1 912-496-7836 http://www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 339 reviews

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

Visitors to this nature preserve can experience the diversity of local wildlife.

Reviewed By sevensfine - Fort Lauderdale, United States

$5 dollars covers the WEEK. Pack a lunch. Bring bikes and ride the Chesser Island loop. See the homestead then walk the boardwalk to the tower. Very handicap accessible. Extremely clean park. Would imagine the cooler months is the best time for any swamp area.

2. Ossabaw Island

+1 912-233-5104 http://www.ossabawisland.net
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5 reviews

Ossabaw Island

The second largest barrier island on the Georgia coast.

3. Lula Lake & Land Trust

5000 Lula Lake Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 37350 +1 706-820-0520 http://www.lulalake.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 61 reviews

Lula Lake & Land Trust

Reviewed By jwatl67 - Georgia, United States

We had a great hike at this awesome land trust and the falls where breathtaking. Ok so that is what everyone is gonna tell you but listen I am a kinda overweight dude in my early 50's with a adventurous wife and two boys 7 and 9 and from what I hear you must have a reservation ahead of time to hike this place so don't just show up all willy nilly and think you are gonna get in. I will admit this is kinda a tough hike and it was very strenuous at times on me and even my 9 year old had his moment of "who's great idea was this". It was about 90 degrees that day and we could have taken a bit more water but we were ok. We packed a lunch and I will say it was worth it after we had done it. I wouldn't take Grandma, Grandpa or old Uncle Ned to this one unless they are in good physical shape. Remember also it is a land trust there are no handrails and it is a challenge coming back after you make it to the falls. It was not overly crowded and the staff at the entry was masked up. Once again be ready to test your body and legs on this hike but I'd do it again and we plan on it, in the fall.

4. Tribble Mill Park

2125 Tribble Mill Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30045 +1 678-277-0890 http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Departments/CommunityServices/ParksandRecreation/OurParksandFacilities/GuidetoYourParks/TribbleMillPark
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 109 reviews

Tribble Mill Park

Reviewed By tzraik - Mableton, United States

Tribble Mill Park is a relatively large park near Lawrenceville, GA encompassing two lakes, Ozora and Chandler, a small waterfall and many beautiful trails including around Chandler lake. There are few picnic areas, and many parking spots. All free.

5. Sea Creek Falls

Cooper Creek Scenic Area, Suches, GA 30572
Excellent
79%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Sea Creek Falls

Reviewed By hlouiseSouthCarolina - Charlotte, United States

***Do not use GPS for the last bit-it’s wrong plus you won’t have service*** ***Turn at the road directly across the street from Coopers Creek Store (GPS yourself to the store). Drive exactly 2.9 miles then turn left onto the unmarked service road. Drive for a minute or 2 until you dead end, then park on the side of the road and walk the trail. *** We took our 4 and 8 year old children. Perfect 10 min walk (can’t really call it a hike) leads you to a secluded lagoon type falls area. You feel like you’ve found something special when you arrive. We were the only people there for the first hour. We brought a picnic and sat on a big rock to eat. The kids wore bathing suits and crocs to walk around in the water and rocks (6 inches deep). I highly recommend wearing waterproof shoes as it’s a muddy walk in places.

6. Hemlock Falls Trail

Andersonville Lane, Clarkesville, GA 30523
Excellent
78%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 40 reviews

Hemlock Falls Trail

Reviewed By jmooney1545 - Tampa, United States

Dog friendly trail that is about 2 miles round trip. It follows along a small river the entire way, which gave amazing views the whole hike. Highly recommend this trail!

7. Panola Mountain State Park

2620 Highway 155 SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281-5236 +1 770-389-7801 http://gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 99 reviews

Panola Mountain State Park

Home to a rare, pristine monadnock, Panola Mountain State Park provides you an oasis near Metro Atlanta to play, unwind, learn or discover the diverse natural and cultural heritage of the piedmont region.

Reviewed By 962anthonyp - Charleston, United States

Part of the Arabia Mountain Parks, this park features some of the best that can be found in the state park system. The PATH trail is amazing for biking or rollerblading or even doing some glamour hiking. There are also a number of trails that head off into the woods or out to one of the many stunning granite outcroppings. There are a couple of lakes, several pavilions for picnicking, playground, and some very nice facilities. There is a geocaching program here that will reward you with several free challenge coins. Check out their website for the other programs, which we missed but sounded really good - including lots of archery and tree climbing, which according to the flyer involves ropes, helmets and belaying equipment! Beautiful park just outside of Atlanta - definitely worth a visit!

8. Wild Animal Safari

1300 Oak Grove Rd, Pine Mountain, GA 31822-4548 +1 706-663-8744 http://www.animalsafari.com/Georgia
Excellent
59%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 863 reviews

Wild Animal Safari

Visitors to this 500-acre park can view exotic animals on a self-drive or on a group bus tour.

Reviewed By 222shadh - Cocoa Beach, United States

Although the journey from Atlanta was long it was worth it. My whole family enjoyed themselves. The entire Safari lasted about on hour, but it was fun the entire time. The animals walk up to your car and open their mouths for food, it was lots of fun we used our own vehicle

9. Okefenokee Swamp Park

5700 Okefenokee Swamp Park Rd, Waycross, GA 31503-7925 +1 912-283-0583 [email protected] http://www.okeswamp.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 542 reviews

Okefenokee Swamp Park

Located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Okefenokee Swamp Park is a convenient point of entry and a magnificent show-window for the "Land of the Trembling Earth." The park's lily-decked water trails, with their miraculously reflective waters mirroring the overhanging beauty, lead to all points in this vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forest and prairies. Boat tours on original Indian waterways, wilderness walkways, Pioneer Island and native animals in their own habitat, all combine to weave a spell of pioneer American life. Headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Mary's Rivers, Okefenokee is a National Wildlife Refuge which covers nearly a half million acres.

Reviewed By DippingDot - Bluffton, United States

My husband and I visited Okefenokee NWR with friends on Feb. 8 and 9. There are a number of ways to enjoy the swamp. On our first day, we took a two - hour sunset boat ride from 5 to 7 PM. We saw birds, alligators and wonderful swamp scenery in the early evening and a glorious sunset over the waterways. Our guide from Okefenokee Adventures was extremely knowledgable about birds, alligators, plants and the history of the swamp. The reflections of the trees on the smooth water and the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees was like a painting. The next day (after an overnight in Kingsland) we walked the Chesser Island Boardwalk looking for birds. At the end of the Boardwalk is an observation tower from which we saw spectacular scenery and Sandhill Cranes feeding and later flying. The boardwalk is well constructed, wide and easy to walk. The total distance to the tower and back is 1 1/2 miles. After visiting the tower we stopped at the Chesser Island Homestead, a house and farm, where families lived in the 1800s. The docent there gave us a history of the homestead and of the families that lived in the swamp. The Bolt Visitor Center has a small shop and a film about the swamp. Okefenokee Adventures also has a small snack shop and store. They offer kayak and canoe tours along with their boat tours. We had a great visit to the Okefenokee and look forward to another visit in the spring.

10. Allatoona Creek Park

5690 Old Stilesboro Road Acworth, GA 30101, Acworth, GA 30101 +1 770-528-8825 https://www.facebook.com/allatoonacreekpark/
Excellent
71%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Allatoona Creek Park

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