Day Trippin' › Georgia › From Atlanta › Best hikes
Our picks for the best hikes within 3 hours of Atlanta: 50 places, 9 under an hour away, 20 between 1 and 2 hours and 21 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 30303.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, 27 min northwest of Atlanta.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: BakedintheHole, CC0
#1 · Waterfall · 1 hr 22 min north
Home of one of the tallest waterfalls in the Southeast, with stair climbs, a lodge and the approach trail to the Appalachian Trail.
Heads-up: The staircase to the top is long and steep. Upper lot is closer for limited mobility.
Photo: Ronmacal at English Wikipedia, Public domain
#2 · State park · 2 hr 15 min northwest
A big canyon on Lookout Mountain with waterfall stairs, rim views and bike trails.
Heads-up: The waterfall trail has hundreds of steps. Rim overlook is short and easy.
Photo: Robbie Honerkamp, CC BY-SA 3.0
#3 · State park · 2 hr 20 min south
Colorful eroded canyons with rim and floor trails.
Heads-up: Canyon floor is muddy. Stay back from cliff edges.
Photo: Richard A. Weaver, CC BY-SA 4.0
#4 · National park · 2 hr 25 min northwest
A deep canyon on top of Lookout Mountain with a scenic rim drive, overlooks, Little River Falls and spots for paddling and climbing.
Heads-up: Pets on a 6-foot leash. Swift water and cliffs; swimming can be dangerous.
Photo: Dallas Epperson, CC BY-SA 3.0
#5 · Cave · 2 hr 57 min northwest
A cave with one of the widest entrances in the world and Goliath, a stalagmite about 45 feet tall. It stays about 60 degrees all year.
Heads-up: Reserve tours online ahead. No pets in the cave or buildings.
Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0
#6 · Garden · 1 hr 22 min southwest
A big garden resort with a butterfly house, a lake beach, a chapel and a 10-mile bike trail.
Heads-up: Beach open in summer only. No strollers in the butterfly center.
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
#7 · National park · 1 hr 22 min southeast
Ancient earth mounds in Macon, with trails along the river.
Heads-up: Mound stairs are steep. Bring bug spray in summer.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#8 · State park · 1 hr 30 min northeast
A deep river gorge with rim trails, a swinging bridge and waterfall overlooks.
Heads-up: Gorge floor permits are limited each day. The stair route is very steep.
Photo: Ryan Cragun, Public domain
#9 · State park · 1 hr 41 min west
The highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet, with rock overlooks, a lake, CCC history and access to the Pinhoti Trail.
Heads-up: The old hotel was torn down; a new one is planned. Dog park on site.
Photo: Allen Patterson from Auburn, Alabama, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
#10 · Historic site · 2 hr 13 min southwest
The site of the 1814 battle that ended the Creek War, with a tour road, river views and trails.
Heads-up: Phone 256-234-7111 for current conditions.
Photo: Greg Clarke, CC BY 4.0
#11 · Wildlife · 2 hr 19 min east
Boardwalks and trails through swamp and wetlands near Augusta.
Heads-up: Bugs and heat in summer.
Photo: Matthew Gordon, CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 · Cave · 2 hr 38 min west
Guided tours through a living cave about a mile long, plus a big pool fed by cave water.
Heads-up: Tour has 365 steps, 110 at the exit. Reserve ahead; tours can sell out.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#13 · Hike · 30 min east
Bare granite outcrops, rare plants and a long paved path for walking and biking east of Atlanta.
Heads-up: Rock gets hot in summer. Stay off the fragile plant pools on the granite.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#14 · Scenic drive · 1 hr 33 min northeast
A mountain loop through national forest, past Brasstown Bald and Helen.
Heads-up: Allow at least three hours of driving. Curvy roads.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#15 · Hike · 1 hr 53 min north
The southern start of the Appalachian Trail, with a plaque and view at the summit.
Heads-up: Long gravel forest road to the trailhead. High clearance helps.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (27 min), Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (29 min), Chattahoochee Nature Center (30 min), Red Top Mountain State Park (43 min), Etowah Indian Mounds (46 min), High Falls State Park (50 min), Hard Labor Creek State Park (51 min), Fort Yargo State Park (53 min), State Botanical Garden of Georgia (1 hr 13 min), Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (1 hr 15 min), F.D. Roosevelt State Park (1 hr 23 min), Panther Creek Falls, Georgia (1 hr 26 min), Chief Ladiga Trail (1 hr 28 min), Unicoi State Park (1 hr 38 min), Vogel State Park (1 hr 38 min), Chewacla State Park (1 hr 41 min), Fort Mountain State Park (1 hr 42 min), Chickamauga Battlefield (1 hr 43 min), Raven Cliff Falls (1 hr 43 min), Anna Ruby Falls (1 hr 49 min), Noccalula Falls Park (1 hr 57 min), DeSoto State Park (2 hr 3 min), Mistletoe State Park (2 hr 8 min), Ruffner Mountain (2 hr 10 min), Railroad Park (2 hr 12 min), Augusta Canal National Heritage Area (2 hr 13 min), Wind Creek State Park (2 hr 17 min), Red Mountain Park (2 hr 21 min), Turkey Creek Nature Preserve (2 hr 23 min), Oak Mountain State Park (2 hr 24 min), Pinhoti Trail (2 hr 34 min), Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park (2 hr 37 min), Lake Guntersville State Park (2 hr 44 min), Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (2 hr 51 min), Buck's Pocket State Park (2 hr 53 min)
Our top picks are Amicalola Falls State Park (1 hr 22 min), Cloudland Canyon State Park (2 hr 15 min), Providence Canyon State Park (2 hr 20 min), Little River Canyon National Preserve (2 hr 25 min) and Cathedral Caverns State Park (2 hr 57 min). The page lists 50 places in all.
50: 9 under an hour away, 20 between 1 and 2 hours and 21 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 30303.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, about 27 min northwest of Atlanta.
10 need no pass or fee, including Railroad Park, Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail and Chief Ladiga Trail. Fees change, so check each place.
39 of the 50 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.