EXPLORE THE OUTSIDE

Hiking, Biking and Playgrounds

Amicalola Falls Photo by resident Debbie Calabro

Alpharetta Big Creek Greenway has 12-foot-wide concrete pathways along an 8-mile stretch than winds through the woods along Big Creek. Even though these pathways are close to the cities of Alpharetta and Milton, you will feel you are miles away from city life. Enjoy the sights of nature as you enjoy your time; keep your eye out for blue herons, deer and other wildlife as you enjoy this greenway. You will find it runs parallel to North Point Parkway, from Windward Parkway at Marconi Drive on the north end to Mansell Road on the south end. If you go to the east side of the creek, you will find dirt mountain bike trails and a soft mulch trail that encircles a large wetland oasis of wildlife. This greenway has every type of walking, biking, rollerblading, strolling and jogging you’ve been looking for!

Bell Memorial Park
15245 Bell Park Dr. 
Milton, GA 30004
678-242-2489
Bell Memorial is filled with four lighted baseball fields, two artificial turf fields, a really nice playground, paved walking trails around the park, rentable spaces, concessions and picnic areas. This is a fantastic area for families and outdoor sports, including lacrosse.

Birmingham Park 
750 Hickory Flat Rd.
Milton, GA 30004
Bring your horse, dog and family to this 200-acre site located behind Fire Station 43. It’s currently undeveloped but open for hiking and walking! 

Cogburn Road Park
12825 Cogburn Rd.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
If you are looking for a short trail to take the kids for a stroll and enjoy a family fun moment, this would be your park. At 0.2 miles, this green space has a playground and picnic areas.

Freedom Park
13200 Deerfield Pkwy.
Milton, GA 30004
A bit of an exercise trail for runners, cyclists and walkers, Freedom Park features a walking/running trail and equipment for those that want to do sit-ups and body curls, a cardio walker, rowing and elliptical machines. Get your work out here, outdoors – enjoy the fresh air in your new area of Milton!
  
North Park
13450 Cogburn Rd.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
678-297-6130
At North Park, the trail is a 1-mile loop, and once you have finished the loop you can find “LOVE” on the seven lighted tennis courts, enjoy the kids at play in the two playgrounds or the eight lighted softball fields. If you are just wanting some adult time and feeling crafty, you will enjoy the Adult Activity Center, Arts Building, and maybe a romantic stroll through the Rotary Reflection Garden! Bring a blanket or a table cloth for a picnic at the two pavilions (one is for reservations only, one is first come, first serve).
 
Providence Park
13440 Providence Park Dr.
Milton, GA 30004
Is for those that love nature trails (42 acres), located in the heart of Milton. Who enjoys this space? Those that just love to walk, run, stroll, fish and those who just want to "be" and enjoy their un-recreational time!

Town Green Fountain in City Center – In the heart of downtown Alpharetta, the fountain is a fun place for kids and dogs to run through the fountain and for parents to sit on the side lines with a cold beverage, relax and enjoy some time for themselves… Well, sort of – we would appreciate it if you keep one eye on your kids! 

Waggy World Paw Park 
175 Roswell St.
Alpharetta, GA 30009
678-297-6100
Located behind the Alpharetta Community Center at Wills Park, you will find a beautiful 1.5 acres for your dogs to run and socialize together. It’s a great place for their humans to socialize as well! Enjoy your freedom!
 
Webb Bridge Park & Arboretum
4780 Webb Bridge Rd. 
Alpharetta, GA 30005
678-297-6123
Are you looking for a treasure? Well, Webb Bridge Park is one of our hidden gems! It offers a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, two grass soccer fields, four baseball fields and four tennis courts, a playground, picnic pavilions a 1.5-mile walking trail and an arboretum, which features over 20 specimens and upland hardwood and conifer forest.
 
Wills Park Recreation Center  
11925 Wills Rd. 
Alpharetta, GA 30009
678-297-6130
https://willspark.com
Wills Park is located in Alpharetta and is filled with many activities for the entire family. From the 10-lane competition pool with depths from 4 feet to 12.5 feet, two diving boards (1 and 3 meters), a large slide, kiddie pools to baseball fields of all ages, walking paths, and a fun castle playground that goes on forever, equestrian park, tennis and more! Wills Park offers many things for your family as you will see as soon as you drive in… Check out the arboretum, which showcases the native trees of the Southeastern part of the USA. While you are here, stop by the Alpharetta Community Garden too – you don’t want to miss anything in this park!
 

MUST SEE – OUTSIDE OF THE AREA

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge 
https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/
Amicalola has one of the prettiest waterfalls around! It falls from the heavens at 729 feet, which is the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Located just 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail and Chattahoochee National Forest. Bring your hiking boots, a picnic lunch, your camera and time, as you will be in awe and will want to spend most the day there! Once you notice the sun is setting, you will be excited to know that you can relax at the nearby lodge as well. Have fun – this will become one of your go-to places with friends and family.

Kennesaw National Battlefield State Park 
https://www.nps.gov/kemo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
It is worth the short drive to one of our national parks located in Kennesaw, Georgia. It is one of our historical Civil War battlefields where you will find natural nature trails or a winding asphalt road that will take you to the top. At the top you will see in the far distance the Atlanta Skyline, as well as the top of Stone Mountain (another Must Go See parks). At the base of the mountain is a welcome center, a huge grass area where you can take a blanket and enjoy the warmth of the sun, or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the many picnic tables they have available. The park is clean, beautiful and filled with wildlife as well. Many years ago I took my kids there almost every weekend … we became quite the climbers!

Lake Lanier and Lake Lanier Islands
https://www.discoverlakelanier.com/
Make a day of it, a weekend of it, a week of it or more! Lake Lanier has so many offerings. The lake is a reservoir in the northern part of Georgia and is about 30 miles from Alpharetta and Milton. It is the largest lake in Georgia, and the island is a resort complex built on a small group of islands. A great escape with boating, beach, waterparks, golf, hiking, horseback riding and so much more. It was created by the completion of Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River in 1956, and is also fed by the waters of the Chestatee River. Have fun – it's a great place for corporate events as well!

Stone Mountain State Park 
https://www.stonemountainpark.com/
Stone Mountain State Park is in the city of Stone Mountain. Etched into the mountain face are the faces of the Confederate Memorial depicting Civil War generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee, plus President Jefferson Davis. If you stay late enough, you will enjoy the laser light show over the faces, which is amazing! The kids will love it. If you have lots of energy, you can climb the side of the mountain to the top through the woods, or, better yet, you can ride the Summit Skyride Cable to the top instead. At the base of the mountain you will find large areas to rest on blankets, throw Frisbees and just relax and enjoy your day there. There is a welcome center which offers snacks as well.