Destinations

Metro Atlanta

You don't have to drive to the mountains to get outside. These are my favorite parks, lakes and easy escapes around Atlanta, the kind you can do on a weeknight or a slow Saturday morning.

The Atlanta skyline from the summit of Stone Mountain, Georgia
1 guide

Stone Mountain

The Walk-Up Trail: a steep mile up a granite dome with a view of the Atlanta skyline.
Civil War cannons on the summit of Kennesaw Mountain in Kennesaw, Georgia
1 guide

Kennesaw

Kennesaw Mountain: a rocky summit trail lined with Civil War cannons and big views.
Solution pools on the granite of Arabia Mountain in Stonecrest, Georgia
1 guide

Stonecrest

Arabia Mountain: a free granite dome with rainwater pools, cairns and old quarry ruins.
The historic Parker House at Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge, Georgia
1 guide

Stockbridge

Panola Mountain State Park: a protected granite mountain, a paved loop and two quiet lakes.
New Manchester mill ruins at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs, Georgia
1 guide

Lithia Springs

Sweetwater Creek State Park: mill ruins, whitewater and real trails 25 minutes from downtown.
Smyrna, Georgia
1 guide

Smyrna

GB's Lake, a stocked pay lake and my pick for the best fishing in Cobb County.

Planning a Metro Atlanta outing

Every spot on this page is inside the metro area, close enough for a morning hike before lunch or an evening walk after work.

When to go

  • Spring and fall are the sweet spot, with mild temperatures on the exposed granite.
  • Summer: go early. Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain and Panola are mostly bare rock with little shade, and they heat up fast.
  • Weekends: the popular trails get busy by mid-morning, so start early or go on a weekday evening.

Good to know

  • Panola Mountain and Sweetwater Creek are Georgia State Parks, so parking is $10 per car with the ParkPass.
  • Arabia Mountain is free.
  • Granite gets slick when it's wet. Wear shoes with real grip.
  • Bring more water than you think you need, since shade is limited on the mountain trails.

Where to start

For a view of the skyline, hike the Stone Mountain Walk-Up Trail. For history and big views, climb Kennesaw Mountain. For a real trail with mill ruins and whitewater, go to Sweetwater Creek State Park.

More around Atlanta is on the way

I'm adding parks, trails and lakes closer to the city. Until then, North Georgia is an easy day trip, with most towns about two hours away.

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