Day Trippin' › Georgia › From Atlanta › Best mountains and viewpoints
Our picks for the best mountains and viewpoints within 3 hours of Atlanta: 27 places, 3 under an hour away, 13 between 1 and 2 hours and 11 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: Ronmacal at English Wikipedia, Public domain
#1 · 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: Richard A. Weaver, CC BY-SA 4.0
#2 · 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: Thomsonmg2000, CC0
#3 · 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
#4 · 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
#5 · 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
#6 · 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
#7 · 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: Jud McCranie at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
#8 · National park · 2 hr 15 min south
A Civil War prison site and the National Prisoner of War Museum.
Heads-up: A sobering visit.
Photo: Unknown, Public domain
#9 · National park · 2 hr 29 min south
The small-town home of the 39th president in Plains.
Heads-up: Visit the boyhood farm too.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#10 · 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
#11 · 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.
Photo: Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0
#12 · National park · 27 min northwest
Civil War battlefield with a summit road and steep trails to sweeping views over metro Atlanta. Popular for weekend hikes.
Heads-up: Parking lots fill early on weekends. Leash dogs. The summit road may be shuttle-only on busy days.
Photo: Keizers, CC BY-SA 3.0
#13 · National park · 29 min north
A string of river parks inside the metro area with flat riverside trails, paddling and tubing on the cool Chattahoochee.
Heads-up: The river is cold year-round because of dam releases. Wear a life jacket and watch for rising water.
Photo: Thomson200, CC0
#14 · State park · 43 min northwest
A wooded peninsula on Lake Allatoona with lake views, swimming beach and trails.
Heads-up: Swim beach is seasonal. Leash pets.
Photo: Thomsonmg2000, CC0
#15 · State park · 1 hr 23 min south
A big park on Pine Mountain with the long Pine Mountain Trail, a lake and overlooks.
Heads-up: Trail sections are rocky.
Gibbs Gardens (1 hr 5 min), State Botanical Garden of Georgia (1 hr 13 min), Chickamauga Battlefield (1 hr 43 min), Massee Lane Gardens (1 hr 46 min), Black Rock Mountain State Park (1 hr 56 min), Brasstown Bald (1 hr 56 min), DeSoto State Park (2 hr 3 min), Ruffner Mountain (2 hr 10 min), Birmingham Botanical Gardens (2 hr 12 min), Vulcan Park and Museum (2 hr 14 min), Rock City Gardens (2 hr 17 min), Buck's Pocket State Park (2 hr 53 min)
Our top picks are Cloudland Canyon State Park (2 hr 15 min), Little River Canyon National Preserve (2 hr 25 min), Callaway Gardens (1 hr 22 min), Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park (1 hr 22 min) and Tallulah Gorge State Park (1 hr 30 min). The page lists 27 places in all.
27: 3 under an hour away, 13 between 1 and 2 hours and 11 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 30303.
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, about 27 min northwest of Atlanta.
6 need no pass or fee, including Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway. Fees change, so check each place.
21 of the 27 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.