Atlanta's Lush Nature Preserve Offers A Peaceful Escape With Easy Hiking By A Quiet Creek

Atlanta is full of green spaces, with parks and trails all over the city. Residents and visitors alike can escape the crowds and head into nature just a stone's throw from the busy metropolis. Nature preserves surround the city with the enchanting Lake Charlotte Nature Preserve to the south, and the historical Cascade Springs Nature Preserve to the west. To the north, there's also a peaceful park, where 30 acres of deciduous woodland, wildflower meadows, and sandy banks line the south fork of Peachtree Creek as it meanders through Morningside Nature Preserve.

Located in the northern edge of the prestigious Morningside-Lenox Park neighborhood, this hidden island of calm provides a welcome break for those who don't want to wander too far from Atlanta's best tourist spots. It's also a favorite among dogs and their owners, who follow gentle nature trails that wind through the forest down to beaches at the water's edge. A beach may be the last thing you expect to see in the heart of Atlanta, but it's proved so popular with locals that it's affectionately known as "dog beach".

The preserve nearly didn't exist at all. Once destined to become a residential area, determined residents gathered together to protect it, forming the Wildwood Urban Forest Group in the early 2000s. Working with the Nature Conservancy, they raised enough money to buy the land from developers before handing it over to the city for everyone to enjoy. Morningside Nature Preserve is around a 20-minute drive from downtown Atlanta and is open every day from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. The easiest way to get there is by car. There are public transport stops in the Morningside neighborhood, but they require an extra walk to get to the preserve.

A network of woodland paths cross the preserve, but the Morningside Nature Trail is the main one. The easy 1.7-mile walk is in two parts. The first takes you through the woodland from the north side at Lenox Road, and leads to the dog beach by the creek. If you cross the tall swing bridge here, the trail continues in a loop on the east side of Peachtree Creek, following it a way before eventually circling back to the bridge.

Many dog walkers only go as far as the bridge, which means the trail on the other side tends to be quieter, especially if you arrive early. While part of the trail is a boardwalk, the trails through the forest are quite narrow, and can get quite slippery if it rains. There are two trailheads. The main one at the Georgia Power Station on Lenox Road has a small car park, while access from Wellbourne Drive leads you to the loop section. The whole trail takes around 45 minutes, unless you stop for fun and games at the beach. The other smaller paths that branch off can make it quite confusing, so downloading a map will help. 

Lots of wildlife has been spotted in the preserve, so you may get lucky and see foxes, beavers, turtles, or raccoons, as well as birds such as woodpeckers and hawks. If you want to take it a step further, Park Pride is a non-profit organization that helps take care of the green spaces around Atlanta, including Morningside. They organize volunteer programs where you can get more involved with the community.

As lovely as it would be to spend the day walking around the nature preserve, it's also worth checking out the surrounding neighborhood. With its tree-lined streets and large detached Colonial-style houses, Morningside-Lenox Park has more of a village vibe than city living. You'll find local shops and independent cafés, and when it's time for a bite to eat, take your pick from a wide variety of tempting restaurants. 

For some classic Southern dining, head to the Colonnade Restaurant, one of the oldest restaurants in Atlanta. Famous for their delicious Southern fried chicken, you don't even need to reserve, and walk-ins are welcome. Another option is Whiskey Bird, especially on a sunny day when you can sit out on the patio overlooking the garden. As well as their vast selection of whisky cocktails, the Asian-inspired American cuisine serves up tasty dishes like vegan Korean BBQ tofu bowl or coconut lime shrimp. If you want to be guaranteed a table, you'll need to book, although they also have a handy takeout menu if you have a picnic in mind.

Alon's Bakery is another popular stop-off at any time of day, selling all kinds of baked goods and deli treats. If you're still around come evening, Smith's Olde Bar is a music venue and restaurant in one. After you've enjoyed a burger or some wings in the downstairs restaurant, head upstairs to enjoy the show. (And don't forget to check out the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Atlanta, either.)