Lake Sidney Lanier
13 mi northeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
Outdoors
Hiking near Alpharetta
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Alpharetta, closest first.
17places to hike
13 mito the closest
4within 30 miles
October–Maybest months
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
Closest picks
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
20 mi southwest · National Park Service
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. Opposing forces maneuvered and fought here from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864.
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Within 30 miles (4)
Lake Sidney Lanier
Nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains lies Lake Sidney Lanier, one of America?s favorite lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year choose to visit Lanier.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is a 2,965 acre National Battlefield that preserves a Civil War battleground of the Atlanta Campaign. Opposing forces maneuvered and fought here from June 19, 1864 until July 2, 1864.
- Biking
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife viewing
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Allatoona Lake
Allatoona Lake is one of the most frequently visited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in the nation.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
30 to 75 miles (3)
Arabia Mountain National National Heritage Area
For millions of years, granite monadnocks have stood watch over the rivers and forests of Georgia.
- Biking
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Carters Lake
Carters Lake Project is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District. Carters Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in the Southeast.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 as a "combination wildlife and game-management demonstration area" to demonstrate that wildlife could be restored on worn out, eroded lands. Today, through the efforts of the U.S.
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (10)
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama.
- Biking
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Hartwell Lake
Hartwell Lake is one of the most popular Corps lakes in the nation. Built by the U.S.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Cherokee National Forest
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of Chattanooga - a gateway to the Confederacy. The Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September.
- Biking
- Climbing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Paddling
- Picnicking
West Point Lake
Fishing is probably the most popular activity on West Point Lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Richard B. Russell Lake
"Ole Dan Tucker was a grand ole man; He washed his face in a fryin' pan; Combed his hair with a wagon wheel; Died with a tooth ache in his heel!" During the 1700's, this famous folk song was sung by slaves in praise of the Reverend Dan…
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Russell Cave National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast.
- Hiking
- History
- Wildlife viewing
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- History
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
J. Strom Thurmond Lake
Thurmond Lake is the largest Corps of Engineers lake east of the Mississippi River. The lake encompasses 1,200 miles of shoreline, 70,000 acres of water and 80,000 acres of land.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1981, consists of 199 acres of forested hillside underlain by a massive cave with many stalactite and stalagmite-filled rooms.
- Hiking
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Alpharetta. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Alpharetta
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Alpharetta Parks and Trails | City of Alpharetta GA
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Things to do in Alpharetta GA
A local activity Short shared by Around Atlanta with Joel Boss.
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More outdoors near Alpharetta
- Camping near Alpharetta
- Fishing near Alpharetta
- Boating and kayaking near Alpharetta
- Biking and mountain biking near Alpharetta
- Picnic spots near Alpharetta
- Horseback riding near Alpharetta
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Alpharetta
- Swimming holes and lakes near Alpharetta
- Parks in Alpharetta
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for hiking near Alpharetta?
Lake Sidney Lanier (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 13 miles northeast of Alpharetta as the crow flies. Next are Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (20 mi) and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (26 mi).
When is the best time for hiking near Alpharetta?
Based on Alpharetta’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.