ATLnature

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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Morgan Falls Overlook Park & Morgan Falls River Park

Morgan Falls Overlook Park
August 28, 2021 by Shawn Taylor in parks

It seems the largest attraction to Morgan Falls Overlook Park is the huge playground. That said, the park has other attractions too, including great views of the river and a short nature trail. The nature trail has two trailheads, one from the west side of the parking lot, and the other at the north end of the pavilion.

Birders – or those with dogs – will want to walk or drive 1/3 of a mile to Morgan Falls River Park and Dog Park. There are no trails here, but you can walk a bit along the creek and check out the views of the dam and the river.

Fishing seems to be popular in both locations. In Morgan Falls Overlook Park, an unmarked, narrow, ungraded trail runs for about a third of a mile, beginning at the left side of the kayak rental building and continuing along the river's edge. I saw several folks fishing along this trail. I also saw folks fishing at Morgan Falls River Park from the metal observation deck and along the river bank.

Address: 200 Morgan Falls Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350
Cost of admission: Free
Governance: City of Sandy Springs
Acres: 28
Approximate miles of trails: 1
Hours: Sun-up to sun-down
Miles from downtown Atlanta: 17
Transit directions: Take the MARTA 87 bus from Dunwoody Station to Roswell Rd & Morgan Falls Rd, then walk 1.3 miles west on Morgan Falls Rd
Parking: There are free parking lots at both the Overlook Park and the River Park
Trail surface: Natural
Restrooms: Restrooms are available at the Overlook Park
Dogs allowed: Yes, and there is an off-leash dog park at the River Park
Fishing allowed: Yes
Guidebook mentions: Page 74 of Hiking the Hooch (1st edition)

Amenities:

  • Restrooms

  • Bike racks

  • Water fountain (dog & human)

  • Playground

  • Swinging benches

  • Large pavilion

  • Kayak rental (seasonal)

  • Dog park

Links:
Sandy Springs
High Country Paddle Shack

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Spotted Pink Ladybeetle, July 11, 2021

Spotted Pink Ladybeetle, July 11, 2021

River Park, January 15, 2017

River Park, January 15, 2017

Powdered Dancer, July 11, 2021

Powdered Dancer, July 11, 2021

Morgan Falls Dam, August 28, 2021

Morgan Falls Dam, August 28, 2021

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Overlook Park, January 15, 2017

Bald Eagle, River Park, March 4, 2017

Bald Eagle, River Park, March 4, 2017

Great Blue Heron at Morgan Falls Dam, River Park, March 4, 2017

Great Blue Heron at Morgan Falls Dam, River Park, March 4, 2017

 More photos on Flickr:

Morgan Falls - all

Good to combine with:

Featured
John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve
John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve
Lost Corner Preserve
Lost Corner Preserve

Updated January 15, 2017, July 11, 2021, and August 28, 2021

August 28, 2021 /Shawn Taylor
atlanta page 3, free admission, north metro, boat ramp, birding, allows dogs, wetlands, dog park, near: big trees, near: lost corner, near: big trees forest preserve
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