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ATLnature is your guide to Atlanta's trails and other rad nature stuff in the city. Live in the city but miss hiking on the weekends? Don’t have time (or a car!) for a trip to north Georgia? Did you know there are over 30 nature trails inside the perimeter of 285 alone?

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John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve

Big Trees Forest Preserve
August 14, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

In 1989, there were plans for this land to become a car dealership, but it was saved by John Ripley Forbes and the Southeast Land Preservation Trust. Powers Branch creek runs through the preserve.

Also known as: Big Trees Nature Preserve
Address: 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Cost of admission: None
Governance: City of Sandy Springs
Acres: 30
Approximate miles of trails: 2
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 15
MARTA directions: Take the #87 bus from Dunwoody Station to the stop at 7741 Roswell Rd. (North Fulton County Government Center). There is no crosswalk near this stop, so it might be best to return by using the same bus stop (instead of crossing the street) and taking the #87 north to North Springs Station.
Trailheads: The trailhead is clearly marked in the parking lot just south of the government center. There are restrooms at the trailhead that are also visible.
Parking: There is free parking available at the main trailhead
Trail surface: About the first 100 yards of the Big Trees Loop trail (starting at the main trailhead) is paved; the rest of the trails are natural surface
Blazes/markings: Most of the intersections are marked with trail names
Geocaching: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes, on leash
Guidebook mentions: Chapter 51 in Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests (1st edition)

Amenities:

  • Dog poop station

  • Restrooms

  • Water fountains

  • Numerous benches

  • Interpretive trail numbers (info here)

Nearby amenities/conveniences:

  • There is a grocery store, drug store, and a couple restaurants half a mile south of the park, at Roswell Rd & Trowbridge Rd.

Links:

  • Big Trees Forest Preserve

  • Park map

October 22, 2016

October 22, 2016

Jelly fungus, October 28, 2018

Jelly fungus, October 28, 2018

October 22, 2016

October 22, 2016

Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar, October 28, 2018

Banded Tussock Moth caterpillar, October 28, 2018

October 22, 2016

October 22, 2016

October 28, 2018

October 28, 2018

Coprinellus mushrooms, October 28, 2018

Coprinellus mushrooms, October 28, 2018

Red-footed Cannibal Fly, August 14, 2021

Red-footed Cannibal Fly, August 14, 2021

Ebony Jewelwing, August 14, 2021

Ebony Jewelwing, August 14, 2021

More photos on Flickr:

Big Trees Forest Preserve - all

From around the web

Recent iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist.org
View more observations near Big Trees Forest Preserve on iNaturalist.org »

Random eBird sightings from the last 30 days


Good to combine with:

Featured
Morgan Falls Overlook Park & Morgan Falls River Park
Morgan Falls Overlook Park & Morgan Falls River Park
Dunwoody Nature Center
Dunwoody Nature Center
Lost Corner Preserve
Lost Corner Preserve

Updated October 25, 2016, October 28, 2018, & August 14, 2021

August 14, 2021 /Shawn Taylor
atlanta page 2, near bus-5 min, free admission, north metro, near: dunwoody nature center, near: morgan falls, near: lost corner, z
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