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Elachee Nature Science Center

On the trail

Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville

This campus of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is set on 168 acres of woodlands just north of downtown Gainesville. Stroll past daffodils, hydrangeas, poppies, tulips, camellias and other colorful flowers along with art displays. The park also includes a children’s area that opened in 2020 and features carnivorous plants, climbing areas, a miniature trolley and water elements.

t 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, atlantabg.org/gainesville-garden, 404-888-4760

Big Creek Greenway

The Big Creek Greenway can be accessed from five different points in Forsyth County. The Halcyon Trailhead provides patrons with 75 parking spaces as well as a new restroom facility featuring a mural of the Big Creek Greenway logo on the side of the building.

t Halcyon Trailhead: 6265 Cortland Walk, Cumming t Union Hill Trailhead: 5259

Union Hill Road, Cumming t Fowler Park Trailhead: 4110

Carolene Way, Cumming t Bethelview Trailhead: 5120

Bethelview Road, Cumming t Sawnee Mountain Preserve

Trailhead: 4075 Spot Road, Cumming t parks.forsythco.com/ParksFacilities/Big-Creek-Greenway t 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, elachee.org, 770-535-1976

Elachee is a private, nonprofit environmental education center and museum located in the 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. The visitor center features a natural history exhibit, where people can learn more about the history and habitats of the Chicopee Woods. Also featured are a live animal room with 25 species of reptiles and amphibians, the Garden Trail with six interpretive garden exhibits and the Georgia Pollinator Exhibit featuring student artwork. Visitors eager to get outside can trek along 8 miles of walking trails that connect the visitor center campus to Elachee’s Aquatic Studies Center at Chicopee Lake. Dogs and pets are not allowed on the trails. There is a $5 daily parking fee for cars.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve t 2500 Bettis Tribble Gap Road, Cumming, parks.forsythco.com

No matter where you go in Forsyth County, it’s hard to miss Sawnee Mountain rising from the horizon. Just a short drive from downtown Cumming lies 11 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and a visitor center at Sawnee Mountain Preserve — a perfect day trip for hikers and nature lovers of any skill level. Dogs are not allowed at Sawnee Preserve.

Linwood Nature Preserve t 415 Linwood Drive, Gainesville, gainesville.org, 770-531-2680

Nestled in a residential area of Gainesville, this park includes 2 miles of trails that traverse forest and meadow and run alongside creek and lake. The preserve is one of seven community forests of the Old-Growth Forest Network in the United States.