12 Trails to Visit this Spring
Spend time outdoors meandering along Georgia's nature trails.
As winter’s chill fades away, spring rushes to life with blooming wildflowers, thundering waterfalls and migrating birds. The season shows Georgia’s natural beauty at its best – and these 12 trails provide the perfect spots to breathe it all in.
- Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area in Helen – Hike a steep half-mile trail to a double waterfall, with wildflowers lining both sides of a paved path. Fee.
- Callaway Resort & Gardens in Pine Mountain – The Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl bursts with more than 3,000 colorful azaleas, making it a great backdrop for a spring picnic. Fee.
- Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve in Lithonia – See blooming diamorpha atop Arabia Mountain, an opportunity that only comes during spring. These rare, miniature flowers bring the stone landscape to life. Free.
- Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Wildlife Management Area in Doerun – Imagine 100 acres blooming with native pitcher plants. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see gopher tortoises along the half-mile bog trail. Free.
- Hitchiti Nature Trail in Gray – In one of the few old-growth forests in Middle Georgia, hikers can enjoy pines, hardwoods, outcroppings and wetlands along the Ocmulgee River. Free.
- Jacks River Falls in Epworth – Advanced hikers who take on this nine-mile trail in spring are rewarded with multiple waterfalls and towering hemlocks. Free.
- Phinizy Swamp Nature Park in Augusta – Wildlife and marsh flora make their best showing here in spring, with multiple boardwalks and trails showcasing cattails, turtles, otters – and an occasional beaver. Free.
- Pigeon Mountain in LaFayette – Springtime gently kisses the Pocket Trail on Pigeon Mountain and changes it remarkably. See redbud, bluebells, bleeding heart, columbine and trout lilies scattered beside multiple waterfalls and a blue hole cave spring. Free.
- General Coffee State Park in Nicholls – The half-mile loop around Heritage Farm abounds with water and songbirds year-round, peaking in spring. Don’t miss Gopher Loop Trail for glimpses of gopher tortoises in mating and egg-laying season. Watch your step! Fee.
- Reynolds Nature Preserve in Morrow – Explore a series of trails meandering around six ponds. Wildflowers and turtles make this a perfect spring setting. Free.
- Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah – Songbirds use the island as a waystation during spring migrations, but large birds of prey visit year-round. Catch a glimpse of them from the Avian Loop Trail. Fee.
- Sosebee Cove Scenic Area in Blairsville – This half-mile trail through a mature forest houses almost every species of Georgia-native wildflower. Free.
