DO IT: Running

This 124-acre park has 2 miles of paved walking track, playground, picnic pavilions, and a fitness area.

Buford Dam Park lies just north of Buford Dam on Lake Sidney Lanier. The site features beautiful views of the lake as well as excellent access to swimming, picnicking and boating.

Situated on more than 45-acres on the northeast corner of Duluth, Bunten Road Park features something for everyone. There are 4 baseball/softball fields, soccer fields, walking trails, playgrounds, indoor basketball courts, tennis courts, exercise facilties, biking/walking paths and a variety of classes offered year-round.

Burton Mill Park is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Lake Lanier. It’s a nice area to make a splash at the beach or for a quiet meal with friends and family at picnic tables and grills that line a path bordering the lake.

This new Heard County Park allows easy kayak / canoe access to #bushheadshoals and Daniels Shoals near Franklin, Georgia on the Chattahoochee River. In addition to a kayak ramp, there are also primitive camping facilities, and an outfitter renting kayaks.

Paved multi-purpose trail

The 18-mile Carrollton Greenbelt is a multi-purpose paved path that connects neighborhoods, schools, city parks, shopping areas, and the University of West Georgia.

Macon’s own musical legend Otis Redding is immortalized as a life-size statue at Gateway Park, on a bank of the Ocmulgee River.

Enjoy the scenic, paved Old Town Chattahoochee Greenway Trail that winds along the Chattahoochee River in Franklin. Along the way, stop for a bit of introspection at the labyrinth dedicated by the Art Association.

This park on the shores of West Point Lake provides direct boat access, RV and primitive camping sites, picnic pavilions, bathhouses, baseball field, basketball court, and playground. Currently home to American Bald Eagles.

The Palisades unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is the southernmost unit in the park. It’s broken up into east and west sections which are divided by the river. The East Palisades, in the southeastern corner of Sandy Springs city limits, is more rugged, with all-dirt trails that have rocky sections and steep inclines that lead to several overlooks of the river and woodlands.

Featuring an abundant number of trail segments and sections (conveniently numbered and easily navigable using various trail maps and posts sprinkled throughout the park), the East Palisades is a place where visitors can tailor a run or hike to their abilities and interests. The Bamboo Forest at East Palisades is full of 30-foot tall, bamboo stalks, creating a bit of serenity.

The park lands and waters are open for day-use only from dawn to dusk year round. Dawn is defined as 30 minutes before legal sunrise and dusk is defined as 30 minutes after legal sunset. The sunrise and sunset hours are posted at the information kiosk located throughout the park.

At Island Ford, you can spend your time soaking up history at the Hewlett Lodge visitors center or hike the easy-to-moderate 5.5-mile trail that hugs the banks of the river before cutting back through woodlands. The Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except December 25.

The park lands and waters are open for day-use only from dawn to dusk year round. Dawn is defined as 30 minutes before legal sunrise and dusk is defined as 30 minutes after legal sunset. The sunrise and sunset hours are posted at the information kiosk located throughout the park.

Powers Island is one of the most serene sections of the recreation area and less traffic than its popular neighbor, Interstate North, just across the Chattahoochee River. A narrow trail makes a 2.5-mile loop as it follows the riverbank, offers broad views of the Chattahoochee, and climbs through dense forest to explore a portion of a ridge. If you’re looking for a quiet escape, this is a prime destination. Powers Island has a scenic trail system and a watercraft launch.

The park lands and waters are open for day-use only from dawn to dusk year round. Dawn is defined as 30 minutes before legal sunrise and dusk is defined as 30 minutes after legal sunset. The sunrise and sunset hours are posted at the information kiosk located throughout the park.

The Vickery Creek unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is bordered by a Chattahoochee tributary known as Big Creek (aka Vickery Creek). This forested area features a network of trails beside the creek that take you to a waterfall and covered bridge.

Cherokee Bluffs is a 168-acre park with rolling meadows, streams, natural shoals, native wildlife, and historic sites. Park amenities include the Lodge (an event and meeting space), an amphitheater, pavilion, multi-use bike/pedestrian walking trail, playground, and dog park.

149-acre park with athletic fields, tennis/pickleball courts, playground, skate park, walking trails, multi-use
meadow, and restrooms.

The recreation complex consists of four lighted softball fields, score tower, concession stand, restroom facilities, 0.5 mile jogging track, and a paved parking area on 17 acres.

This is a 25,000 acre Wildlife Management Area within the Chattahoochee National Forest open to hunting seasonally and other activities. The trail system is largely un-maintained roads and limited foot paths. There are 4 primitive campgrounds within the WMA.

City of Dahlonega Park provides a walking trail, two covered picnic areas, and children’s playground equipment.

City Pond Park is open from sunrise to sunset, free to the public. Enjoy walking paved sections of the park and the two areas equipped with playground equipment. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. A 24-acre pond created by Cedar Creek allows locals to enjoy fishing. No boating or swimming is allowed. Gathering permitted are required.

This small park packs a lot in 11.8 acres: 2 dog parks, 2 picnic pavilions, a 3/4-mile paved walking/jogging path, exercise equipment, grills and a playground.

1 Picnic Pavilion with grill (available to rent), 2 Tennis Courts, 1 Playground, 1 Basketball Court, Running/Walking Track (1/4 mile), Restrooms, and 1 Splash Pad. (Splash pad will be closed for the season after Labor Day).

Explore the nature trails and open areas in this 200-acre park, as well as Carnes Cabin, a pre-Civil War residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Includes hiking, jogging and horse trails; primitive camping; playground; picnic shelter; and wildlife habitat.

This 20-acre park includes a 0.4-mile walking/jogging track, 3 pavilions, 8 lighted baseball fields, batting cages, and a playground.

95 acres, 1.5-mile soft surface trail, seven baseball/softball fields, football field overlay, lighted basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, fishing lake, restrooms, pavilion, aquatic center with outdoor leisure play and indoor competition pools, grills.

The park has a large picnic pavilion, football field, softball fields, outdoor basketball court, and Traffic Park, a space where children can learn the rules of the road and biking skills in a safe environment. It is also home to the first splashpad in Perry. This 30 acre park also has a trail head for the “White Tail Trail” section linking to Perry’s beautiful nature trail network along Big Indian Creek. New playground equipment was installed in 2019 and is considered a destination playground.