Cedar Branch and Zack's Glade

Sweetwater Creek State Park lies just about 20 minutes West of Downtown Atlanta.  An easy drive along I-20 from the large city makes this park a very popular destination, especially on the weekends.  Out of the parks three main trails, the Red Trail is by far my favorite.  Scenic river views and a stop by the ruins of a burnt down civil war era manufacturing mill are the main highlights.  If yo...

Sweetwater Creek State Park offers a breath of fresh air and beautiful sights only 15 miles from Atlanta. The park has 9 miles of trails to choose from. The shortest of the three trails is the Red Trail (1 mile, one-way). After a half mile you will arrive at the impressive 5 story New Manchester Mill ruins. New Manchester was a mid-nineteen century mill town that was burned down in the Civil Wa...

Sweetwater Creek State Park has a lot to offer in terms of adventure. One of the best things about this park is its proximity to the city of Atlanta. It is incredible how easy it is to feel like you are hours away from the city, even though Sweetwater is only several miles west of the city. It might just be my love for the water, but kayaking the George H. Sparks Reservoir is one of the best wa...

A quick and local getaway from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta city life, Cascade Springs Nature Preserve offers over 100 acres of forested trails that lead to Utoy Creek and Cascade Falls. The trail starts at the parking area and leads to a boardwalk where old historical structures stand alongside the path. At the end of the boardwalk sits a stone structure surrounded and covered by moss. Fr...

Walk amongst some of the oldest trees in Atlanta in this scenic nature preserve located in the heart of East Point. This is a great spot for birding with some sightings including Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Creeper, Yellow-rumped Warblers, and more. The main loop is about a mile long, but there are a few alternative inner loops that yo...

Trail Overview Distance: 17 miles loop Elevation Gain: 2,172 feet Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (steep sections 8-12% around Lake Carroll) Surface: Paved asphalt, 10+ feet wide with yellow centerline Time: 5-6 hours full loop Dogs: Allowed on leash (off-leash in some areas) Fees: Free Best Season: Year-round What Makes This Trail Special Georgia's largest paved loop trail system, compl...