Atlanta and outdoors? (Kennesaw, Vinings, Stone Mountain: homes, travel, work)

[lcoasterchix]

I am considering possibly moving to Atlanta, GA area in the near future, but am curious what the area has to offer.

I would need to be in commutable distance to Atlanta, but am also very much into the outdoors- hiking, camping, traveling, water.. etc.

Is there a lot of outdoors stuff to do in the surrounding Atlanta area? And if so how far away and where would be a good place to reside to get the best of both words- Atlanta culture and proximity and the great outdoors?

Any feedback would be much appreciated!

Thanks

[gt6974a]

Best bet would be about 30 miles North of Atlanta. You're close to two lakes, Allatoona and Lanier. Hour to 90 min drive to work, 10 minutes to the lake, 1 hour to the mountains in North Georgia.

But if you're only doing these activities on the weekend, just live around 285 on the North Side, 10-15 miles North of downtown.

[dlh891]

There's also a little known place outside Atlanta called Norris Lake. You can jetski, waterski, have a sailboat, whatever you want to do on it. There are affordable homes across from the water but you still have access to the sand beach, boat launch and parks.

Gwinnett County is known for it's parks and outdoor activities and still a more reasonable commute to the city.

[john1963]

there are many many outdoor places even near the city. Lots of county parks. There are national park service parks all along the river. Lake lanier is very popular. Tons of federal parks in north georgia. Raft the chattahoochee in july or august (waters usually too cold other times)

[TakeAhike]

PATH Foundation--bicycle trails intown and further out--Stone Mountain and Silver Comet Trail
Here>>
PATH Foundation

If you enjoy tennis--there is ALTA--Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association.

Creative Loafing--metro leisure guide should have FYI on what is available for recreation.

sls

[backfist]

Originally Posted by dlh891

There's also a little known place outside Atlanta called Norris Lake. You can jetski, waterski, have a sailboat, whatever you want to do on it. There are affordable homes across from the water but you still have access to the sand beach, boat launch and parks.

Gwinnett County is known for it's parks and outdoor activities and still a more reasonable commute to the city.

That's great info. Thank you.

[dlh891]

Originally Posted by backfist

That's great info. Thank you.

You're welcome. It's just the greatest place, I can't believe more people don't know about it.

[JPD]

Stone Mountain Park. Largest chunk of exposed granite in the world. Lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing, golf, swimming, canoeing, cycling, etc.

Lots of people think poorly of Stone Mountain thanks to the cheesy laser show, the fake country village and the glorification of civil war losers carved into the side of the rock. But the "around the mountain" hiking trail is easily one of the best hiking trails in the metro area, and it's never crowded, unlike the hike up the mountain.

[reet4587]

It's not a huge natural area, but there are some great trails to walk and rocky hills to climb in the various Chattahoochee River Parks east of Vinings around Powers Ferry Rd and I-285. The water level is low now from drought, but last year you could see people fly fishing, canoeing and rafting in the river. It may not satisfy a real hardcore outdoorsy person, but it's good for weekday fixes and you would have good access to I-75 which would take you north to the Appalachain foothills on the north end of Lake Allatoona.

[gt6974a]

Originally Posted by JPD

Stone Mountain Park. Largest chunk of exposed granite in the world. Lots of opportunities for hiking, fishing, golf, swimming, canoeing, cycling, etc.

Lots of people think poorly of Stone Mountain thanks to the cheesy laser show, the fake country village and the glorification of civil war losers carved into the side of the rock. But the "around the mountain" hiking trail is easily one of the best hiking trails in the metro area, and it's never crowded, unlike the hike up the mountain.

Moderator cut: Removed

However, the golf courses are nice and the hike isn't crowded. The trails around the mtn are nice as mentioned above.

Kennesaw mtn is very similar, even though it's a 'historical battlefield' most people use the park as recreation and think the park should be a recreation area and not a memorial. Again, b/c we're racist rednecks down here.

Alot of commuters use Soap Creek park off of 285/Windy Hill area for biking and running on their way home. It's nice, we use to ride there abut 10 years ago.

I guess we could always dig up the confederate soldiers and make that park area, would that make you happy?