If you’re craving some fresh air and a change of scenery, Athens has a surprising array of hiking trails ranging from riverside greenways to forested paths dotted with wildflowers. Whether you’re hunting for family-friendly loops, wildlife encounters, or a peaceful escape with your dog, there’s a trail waiting close to town.
Let’s get to it.
Sandy Creek Nature Center
At Sandy Creek Nature Center, 225 acres of woodland and wetland await exploration. The eco-friendly visitor center houses live animals and interactive exhibits, from turtles to snakes, all presented on energy-saving displays. Step outside to choose from over four miles of trails, including the short Box Turtle Loop and the 3-mile Outer Loop. Most paths remain easy underfoot, though mild inclines and rocky spots add a bit of interest.
ADA boardwalks and stroller-ready routes make many areas accessible. Along the way, there are Oconee River vistas, the Claypit pond, brick factory ruins and a relocated log cabin. Bird blinds provide quiet observation spots, and wildflowers appear from March through November.
Weekends draw a steady crowd but weekday mornings are pleasantly quiet. Trails are kept in good order by Athens-Clarke County staff. Dogs on leash are welcome, free parking is plentiful, and restrooms sit near the main trailhead. After heavy rain, some areas may be wet, so visitors who want dry ground might choose another day.
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Stepping into the State Botanical Garden of Georgia feels like entering a vibrant plant exhibition. Spread across 313 acres, it features tidy display gardens and a conservatory that provides shelter when the weather changes. Visitors can follow over six miles of walking and hiking trails, each marked by a different color loop. The White Trail, Orange Trail and Blue Trail range from nearly two to three-and-a-half miles and highlight natural Georgia scenery.
Along the routes, wildflowers bloom in season and benches offer handy rest stops. Several boardwalk sections and accessible pathways ensure wheelchair users can enjoy portions of the garden. Clear signs and regular upkeep keep the paths looking well maintained without any guesswork. Parking is simple and restrooms are available on site.
Open year-round, the garden’s displays shift with the seasons so there’s always something new to see. Whether drawn by plant collections, riverside views or a peaceful atmosphere, visitors will find plenty to admire without fuss.
North Oconee River Greenway
Stretching more than seven miles, this greenway provides a wide concrete trail for walking, biking, or jogging. It also includes over three miles of hiking-only loops through dirt paths, complete with boardwalks that cross wetlands and forest.
The Middle Oconee River stays close along the route, visible between large hardwoods and information signs. When the paved section ends, the trail shifts into a quieter, wooded atmosphere with benches at regular intervals, picnic tables, and grills for casual meals. The terrain is mostly flat so there are no steep climbs to tackle.
Open daily from sunrise to sunset, the paths remain clean and friendly to wheels and strollers. On weekends the paved areas fill up near the university or park entrances while visitors seeking a quieter pace head onto the dirt loops. Seasonal changes bring spring wildflowers and fall color. After heavy rains some low-lying stretches can flood, but for most of the year the greenway stays accessible and well maintained.
Dudley Park
Dudley Park offers 32 acres of open fields and shaded picnic areas along the North Oconee River. A 3.2-mile loop winds through paved, flat terrain, making it ideal for strollers and casual walkers. Total elevation gain is only about 203 feet, so hills feel more like gentle suggestions than strenuous climbs.
The loop connects to additional trail sections and passes through hardwood forest patches. River views appear at several clearings, and spring or fall visits often reveal wildflowers along the way. Dogs on leash are welcome, with a six-foot limit to keep everyone safe.
Parking is free and plentiful along Broad, Poplar and Oconee Streets. Restrooms sit at the main trailheads, and trail signs include snippets of local history. Weekdays remain quiet while weekends see moderate activity. Whether stopping for a picnic or a stroll, visitors will find Dudley Park straightforward, well maintained and refreshingly uncrowded.
Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
Walking the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail in Memorial Park offers free access to wildlife viewing on a paved, gentle loop. The route’s minimal elevation change makes it comfortable for all fitness levels. Wheelchairs and strollers move easily, and a self-guided map helps visitors identify birds and mammals.
The trail remains uncrowded even on weekends, so families can spot river otters and white-tailed deer without competing for space. In warmer months, alligators also appear near the water’s edge. Bobcats may roam the underbrush, though they are rarely seen up close. Only service animals are allowed, so the pathway stays quiet and wildlife-friendly.
Facility care is excellent: restrooms are clean, paths are clear of debris and parking is free. Informational signs line the loop, pointing out habitat details and animal facts. For anyone seeking wildlife encounters without an admission fee, this trail delivers on both convenience and charm.
Sandy Creek Park
In Sandy Creek Park, 782 acres of forest and lake shoreline create an outdoor playground. Lake Chapman covers about 260 acres, and the park features over 14 miles of marked trails. The Lakeside Trail runs 7.5 miles on flat, compacted earth, offering continuous lake views. For a more wooded route, Cook’s Trail and the Oxbow Loop total 3.1 miles, with options to extend to five miles at junctions.
Equestrians enjoy the 4.2-mile Buckeye Horse Trail, which weaves through hills and crosses a stream. Note that bikes and wheelchairs aren’t permitted on most single-track paths. Parking, restrooms and disc golf facilities are all onsite, and dogs must remain on leash. Covered pavilions can be reserved in advance, though they are unavailable on Mondays. Visible trail markers and routine maintenance keep navigation simple, so visitors rarely stray off course.
Oconee Forest Park
At Oconee Forest Park, visitors find over a mile and a half of walking and hiking loops around Lake Herrick and across Herrick Creek. The mostly gentle trails wind through oak and hickory forest, featuring one exceptionally large scarlet oak among the canopy.
Cyclists can tackle a single-track mountain bike loop just over a mile long, with a few moderate sections but under 100 feet of elevation gain. Gravel parking and paved access lead to picnic tables, a group shelter pavilion, and a water spigot. A vault toilet stands near the intramural fields.
An ADA boardwalk extends from the tennis courts to a shoreline overlook, keeping the route barrier-free for strollers and wheelchairs. Dogs are welcome on leash but are asked to stay off social trails to protect vegetation.
Trails are well marked and cleared year-round. Weekends and peak seasons bring steady use by students and locals tracking wildflowers, birds, or fall foliage. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, serving as a restful green space within Athens.
Walker Park
Walker Park offers 113 acres of recreational space with options for every age and interest. The paved Trail Creek Trail is flat and ideal for a casual stroll or roller-skating with a coffee in hand. For mountain bikers the park features loops named Widespread and Panic plus Drive-By Truckers, each with rolling hills and an optional downhill section for more challenge.
Additional amenities include a splash pad for kids, an ADA-accessible playground, picnic shelters, restrooms, and a bike repair station. Parking is ample at multiple lots, and water stations serve both people and pets. Creekside views appear along wooded sections where deer sometimes graze.
Crowds peak on warm summer afternoons near the splash pad, while early mornings bring quieter trails. Rainfall can leave the steeper mountain bike routes muddy, but park staff and volunteer crews handle maintenance regularly.
Southeast Clarke Park
Covering over 120 acres, Southeast Clarke Park delivers sports fields, courts, playgrounds, and trails in one location. Tennis and pickleball courts are both available alongside a full skate park and multiple playground structures.
Trail options include a 0.6-mile paved loop that works well for strollers or wheelchairs, plus a 1.5-mile nature path with modest inclines. The longer route crosses a stream on footbridges and passes wooded sections where bird sightings are common. While families tend to gather at playgrounds and courts, the nature trail remains relatively quiet.
On-site amenities include plenty of parking at both main entrances, restrooms near the courts, shaded picnic tables, and benches along the paths. Dogs are welcome on leash, or off-leash in a fenced dog park. After rain the nature trail can get muddy and even slick in winter, but the paved loop stays firm in all conditions.
Boulevard Woods Park
Staying close to home, Boulevard Woods Park offers a straightforward outdoor retreat within a residential setting. It features two loop trails. One path is fully paved, flat, and ideal for strollers or wheelchairs. The second trail runs through wooded areas with dirt, woodchips, a gentle incline, and a few steps. Both circuits provide a brief nature outing without challenging terrain.
Scattered benches and seating walls line the trails, inviting visitors to pause under a dense forest canopy. A short spur leads to a seasonal creek bed. The waterway may run only after rain, but it adds a touch of variety to the landscape. The playground uses natural materials, blending logs and rocks into its design. Nearby, a small amphitheater consists of log seating and a gravel stage, suitable for casual gatherings or story time sessions.
Visitor traffic usually stays light. On pleasant weekend afternoons you may spot a handful of locals, some dog walkers (dogs must stay leashed to six feet), and families with young children. Note that trails can become muddy after rainfall and may track soil back onto footwear.
Ben Burton Park
Ben Burton Park remains a low-key wildlife preserve spanning 32 acres, centered on a 1.4-mile loop trail marked by bright orange blazes. The path is mostly flat with a brief moderately steep section that tests balance around tree roots.
Parking sits in a paved lot off Mitchell Bridge Road, and picnic-goers can choose from 14 tables or fire up one of two charcoal grills. The Middle Oconee River borders part of the trail, offering hardwood forest views, birdwatching opportunities, and frequent turtle sightings.
Dogs are welcome on leash, and anglers or kayakers can access the river with a valid Georgia fishing license. Ben Burton Park focuses on simple comforts—clean trails, shaded benches, wildlife habitat, and ample space for reflection.
Visitors rarely struggle to find a parking spot except on perfect weekend afternoons. Overall, the park delivers a quiet, no-fuss experience close to town without sacrificing natural variety.
