GEORGIA

Georgia has a number of trails with minimal obstacles.  Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible.  Here are just a few of them.
Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people who have been there. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous

Federal

• Big Oaks Recreation Area 
  Big Oaks Recreation Area is a summer day-use area on Hartwell Lake,  a man-made  56,000 acre lake bordering Georgia and SC on the Savannah, Tukgaloo and Seneca Rivers.  Description on Oh Ranger!    Map  Phone (706) 856-0300    Hartwell Lake Visitor Center  phone 888-893-0678   Here is their website.   Reviewed on tripadvisor
  Hartwell Dam Walking Trail  on the Georgia side  1.37 miles one-way “….follows the shoreline of Hartwell Lake from Big Oaks up to the concrete portion of the dam on the Georgia side.”
  Hartwell Dam Walking Trail  on the South Carolina side  0.75 mile one-way.  “….follows the shoreline up to the concrete portion of Hartwell Dam on the South Carolina side. For a shorter walk, you can access this trail from the South Carolina Recreation Area, located approximately midway between the South Carolina Overlook and the GA/SC border.”

• Savannah National Wildlife Refuge 
  Savannah National Wildlife Refuge has “…29,452 acres of freshwater marshes, tidal rivers and creeks, and bottomland hardwoods. About half the refuge is bottomland, composed primarily of cypress, gum, and maple species. Access to these areas is by boat only. ”  Phone 843-784-2468  Here is their website.    Reviewed on Trip Advisor   Maps  Trail Map
  Thanks to Ranger Amy Ochoa for the following information:
  The only wheelchair accessible trail is at the Visitor Center is an 800 ft. long paved trail “that runs from one side to the other. ”  However there is “an outstanding 4.25 mile wildlife drive that visitors can drive around and get … the same wildlife viewing opportunities as walking on the trails…..pretty much anywhere along it there’s room for a car to pull to the side, stop, even get out and look, while still allowing room for a vehicle to pass by.”
  ?  “The trails are all the same surface; grass covered, earthen dikes.  They’re not always mowed, depending on the availability of heavy equipment operators to run the large mower, so things like fire ants and snakes could be present and not easily seen.  Like any earthen path, they would all be subject to holes, bumps, etc. that could trip up someone not sure-footed.” 

Back to top

State

• Paved Trails from Hiking in Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
  “Paved or hard-surfaced trails suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are found at Amicalola Falls (great waterfall view), Cloudland Canyon (parking lot to overlook), Mistletoe (rubber surface), Fort Yargo (Birdberry Trail), Panola Mountain (hilly), Red Top Mountain (short loop), Skidaway Island (some sand and roots), Stephen C. Foster (Okefenokee boardwalk) and Tallulah Gorge (old railroad bed). “

• The State of Georgia makes available this PDF chart addressing accommodations,  activities, and accessibility of Georgia State Parks.
  There are ADA Assessments for all of Georgia Parks trails. “These accessibility assessments are maintained at each state park and historic site where the trails are located and are available for review and/or can be provided electronically by directly contacting the state park or historic site office. For further information, contact Larry Blankenship at 404-656-6524.”

• Amicalola Falls State Park
  Amicalola Falls State Park 15 miles northwest of  Dawsonville, is a 829 acre park.  The Amicalola waterfalls drop 729′ in seven cascades making them the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.  There are several hiking trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail.
  Here is their website.  Phone 706-265-4703.   Trail Map
  West Ridge Falls Access Trail – 0.3 miles in length. Rated easy to moderate. Wheelchair accessible with gentle slope. One of the best views of the falls and one of the easier trails. Trail surface is flat and coated with recycled tires.
  Lodge Loop – 0.25 mile loop. Rated easy. Wheelchair accessible. Paved surface with educational displays. Trail is lighted for early morning and/or evening use.”

• Black Rock Mountain State Park is in Rabun County, northeast Georgia.  Terry Guthrie  sent these photos.  He writes, “The park has two accessible overlooks on the way to the visitor’s center, and the visitor’s center itself provides good views.”  I am putting more of Terry’s photos in the Photography page.  Trail Map  Park phone 706-746-2141  Here is their website.

  

  

  
  Black Rock Lake in Black Rock Mountain State Park.  The trail around the lake is .8 mile long and is rated easy.  Thank you to Rex Matthews, who wrote that “There is no nearby handicapped parking access, the trail is flat but not paved or surfaced, and they prefer that people not try to take wheelchairs on it due to rutting, etc.”

  

  

• Crooked River State Park –
  Crooked River State Park is on the southern tip of Georgia’s Colonial Coast, along the Intracoastal Waterway and in maritime forest. Campsites are surrounded by palmettos and live oaks, while cottages are set near the tidal river.  There is a boat ramp.
  A nature trail “winds through forest and salt marsh, and hikers may see gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons and other birds. A nature center features fish, snakes, turtles and other animals native to coastal Georgia.”  Trail Map
  Trails descriptions      Phone 912-882-5256  Here is their website.
  There are several short nature trails described in the website, which sound as if they would be easy walking, but there is no indication of wheelchair accessibility.

• Fort Yargo State Park –
  Fort Yargo in Winder east of Atlanta is a 1816-acre park featuring “… a 1792 log fort built by settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. Today, visitors come to Fort Yargo for its wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery.”  There are 18 miles of hiking/biking trails, accessible cottages to rent and an accessible fishing  dock.
  Phone 770-867-3489  Here is their website.    Trails Map
  Birdberry Trail  0.9 mile  round trip paved  Map

• Moccasin Creek State Park –
  On the shore of 2,800 acre lake Burton, Moccasin Creek has a fully accessible fishing pier which sits above a trout-filled creek open only to seniors 65 and older and children 11 and younger, as well as all ages with a Georgia disability fishing license.  Although a mountain location, Moccasin Creek is relatively flat.
  Phone 706-947-3194  Here is their website.
  Interpretive Trail  1 mile

• Panola Mountain State Park
  Panola Mountain, near Atlanta, is a 100-acre granite outcrop.  This monadnock and its rare ecosystem is still pristine as it was known to Native Americans centuries ago.  Panola Mountain State Park is part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.    Trails    Trail map and Guide   Phone 770-389-7801  Here is their website. 
  ? Outcrop Trail 0.75 mile was referred to as a “handicap access trail” in a now defunct guide.  Call before you go to see if it is something you can do.
  There is a two mile self-guided nature trail and a 12 mile paved trail, which connects Panola Mountain with Arabia Mountain and Stonecrest Mall.

• Redtop Mountain State Park  –
  Redtop Mountain State Park near Acworth is on 12,000 acre Lake Allatoona.  There are more than 15 miles of trails winding through the forested park.  The park is named for its red iron-rich soil. Trails descriptions   Trails map  Rave reviews from Yelp   Phone  770-975-0055   Here is their website.
  Lakeside Trail  0.75 mile paved loop by Lake Altoona

• Skidaway Island State Park
  This park near Savannah borders the “…Skidaway narrows, a part of Georgia’s Intracoastal Waterway. Trails wind through maritime forest and past salt marsh, leading to a boardwalk and observation tower. Visitors can watch for deer, fiddler crabs, raccoon, egrets and other wildlife.”  Here is their website.
  Phone 912-598-2300.   Trail Map
   Sandpiper Trail loop  1 mile  A lovely glimpse into the ecology of the Golden Isles.
   Big Ferry trail  3 miles easy, but not so much for a wheelchair.

  Wheelchair Traveling‘s account.  Here are some positive reviews from Trip Advisor

  

  

Back to top

Local

• Gwinnett County
   Gwinnett county has a lot of parks.  Here is a Map and List.
  George Pierce Park  Greenway Planner, Marcie Moore, writes, ” The Ivy Creek Greenway at George Pierce Park is a great place to see nature for those who are disabled.  It is flat and has an extensive boardwalk across the wetlands.  I’ve seen beaver, otter, deer, turtles, ducks, herons and so much more out there. ”      They are “…in the design stage of a designated accessible nature trail…” at this park, so check with them to see when it will be done.  Phone 770-978-5270 or 678-277-0910.  Here is the Park website.
  Ivy Creek Greenway 1.25 miles, paved.  Ivy Creek Greenway Map  There are parts of this greenway that are of uneven gravel and would be difficult for a wheelchair.  Ms Moore says, “ The paved section of the greenway is smoother although it can get steep in sections. “
  Whispering Woods Braille Trail   I don’t know the length of this trail in Buford, but there are interpretive signs specifically for the blind.  Call 770.904.3500 to learn more.
  Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center
  “The center is used as a multi-use history, culture, heritage, and environment facility. It is located on a 700-acre campus with greenspace and walking trails, as well as a 66,000 square foot educational building.”

  

Back to top

Private

• Chattahoochee Nature Center
   Most of Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, is handicap and wheelchair accessible.  “Explore the Chattahoochee River watershed through interactive exhibits, live animal habitats and hands-on fun. ”  There are woodland and wetland trails and gardens such as the Butterfly Garden and Native Gardens. 

   Jon Copsey writes that, “Our wildlife walk, pollinator gardens, aviaries and living wetlands areas are all paved and are easily accessible.  Our wooded trails are less-so. I would not describe them as wheelchair accessible due to roots and slippery surfaces. Our easiest trail, Kingfisher Trail, while on a gentle incline, would still be difficult for a wheelchair. Depending on the mobility of the elderly, it may also be too difficult.”  Check with the Discovery Center before you head out to learn more about which trails might be suitable for you.  Phone 770-992-2055 Here is their website.   Trail Guide  Map     Reviewed on Trip Advisor,   Yelp
  Kingfisher Pond Trail  0.25 mile runs along the eastern edge of the pond and connects with the Beaver Pond Trail.
   River Boardwalk Trail  0.50 mile Self-guided nature trail interpreting the habitats along the river.  The boardwalk is accessible, but can get slippery in wet weather.
  Homestead Trail  0.25 “easy hike with beautiful view of both the forest and the pond. ”
  Beaver Pond Trail  0.25 mile self-guided tour of both pond and forest habitats.
  Georgia’s Living Wetlands garden  More than 200 species of native plants found in five different wetland habitats.

• Marshall Forest
   The Nature Conservancy’s Marshall Forest has the Big Pine Braille trail which is wheelchair accessible.  The Forest is in Floyd County near Rome, Georgia.  It covers 301 acres of pine-hardwood forest.  It is “one of the last remaining stands of old-growth forest in the Ridge and Valley Province, a geographical corridor that runs from Pennsylvania to Alabama.”   There are three plant communities and a  ”…wealth of fauna, including frogs, salamanders, at least six species of snake, and dozens of bird species.”  Phone 404-873-6946  Here is their website.
  Big Pine Braille Trail  0.025 mile loop.  Thanks to LA Allen for this information about the trail: “It is gravel paved and leveled regularly for wheelchair accessibility for chairs with wide tires”
  There is a “…short trail that has been improved for wheelchair access (gravel surface). The trail can be navigated by most wheelchairs with wide tires. ”

Back to top

Miscellaneous

• Nature For The Blind has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.

• Nature For The Blind has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.

• A mixture of locations are described at the website NE Georgia Mountains ADA Accessible Outdoor Places to Visit

• The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has listings of wheelchair accessible trails in Georgia.

Back to top