National Park Sites in Atlanta and Beyond

Summer is here, and the outdoors are calling. Luckily, there are a variety of National Parks open around Atlanta and beyond, not to mention Georgia’s wonderful State Parks.

Here are some of the sites you may enjoy: 

1. The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area:

We have to start with this one! The AMNHA connects a 40,000-acre swath of land right outside of Atlanta, with parks like Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and Panola Mountain State Park offering wonderful opportunities for outdoor recreation. You can also join a tour of historic Flat Rock, take a bike ride on the PATH or spend a day exploring historic downtown Lithonia. 

2. The Augusta Canal National Heritage Area:

Running through the heart of Augusta, GA, the Augusta Canal offers a variety of opportunities to discover nature, industrial history, and the current city, all woven together along the length of the only remaining intact industrial canal in the Southeast. Learn more and plan your visit here.

3. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area:

You can hike along the banks of the beautiful Chattahoochee River this summer, escaping the bustle of the city while barely having to leave it. Be sure to check the park’s website for updates before you go.

4. The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor:

If you want to go a little further afield, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the third of Georgia’s National Heritage Areas, runs along the coast and celebrates the history and legacy of the Gullah Geechee community. This network of historic sites and greenspace includes gems like the spectacular Cumberland Island National Seashore (learn more here). Plan your trip to the Gullah Geechee NHC here.

5. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park:

You can discover a powerful Civil War battlefield site and enjoy sweeping views of metro-Atlanta at Kennesaw Mountain. Like the Chattahoochee, make sure to check the park’s website before visiting. 

6. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park:

Discover the life, home and community of one of America’s foremost civil rights leaders as you explore the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Located in the Sweet Auburn National Register Historic District, this historical park offers insight not only into the life and impact of Martin Luther King, Jr., but also the vibrant Black community that he was a part of and which shaped his life.

This list is just the beginning of places to explore – and there are plenty of fantastic National Park units that we didn’t include! You can find a whole list of National Park sites to visit here. From the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park (link) on the Tennessee border to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site (link) in Plains, GA, Georgia’s natural and historic heritage is a landscape waiting for discovery.