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Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 488 Google reviews · Running trail in Decatur, Georgia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Suburban 28-acre preserve with forest, wetland & pond habitats for frogs, beavers & rich birdlife.
What runners say about Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
“Walked a few trails and branching paths all in under an hour and nearly all at the same incline on easy to walk well maintained paths.”
“Beautiful hidden gem in the middle of the city, with nice trails and a pond.”
“The trails are clearly marked and there are a few photo blinds built by the water for seeing water birds.”
Very nicely kept place. This is a great place for birding. Dense forest with loop trail around a nice little pond. There are a couple of photo blinds on the property as well. Nice job, Boy Scouts on the raised path. Cool little gem tucked away in Decatur.
Very nice nature trail. Most of the trails were covered with mulch and boarded with tree trunks/ limbs. Trail used boardwalks adjacent to swamp area and a small lake. Many benches and sitting areas as well as a photo blind located next to the lake.
Great local nature preserve that has plenty of trails and great spots for bird watching. The preserve is relatively small but jam-packed with different environs and the trails take at least 45 minutes to all be covered.
A great place for a weekday walk. A nature filled easy to moderate day hike. Great to go on walkies for your dogo friend-o. After a putting a few steps down you'll look around and be shocked to think you are inside Atlanta
Trail conditions & character
“No designated parking lot, but I've never had a problem finding a spot on the curb right next to the trailhead.”
“Beautiful hidden gem in the middle of the city, with nice trails and a pond.”
“Great place for walking, jogging and dog walking.”
“Not much to it, but there's a pond and a little loop you can do.”
“Easy, flat trails with some boardwalks around a little lake.”
“) Some of the boardwalk sections are in need of repair, but other sections are new, so it's probably a work in progress.”
Plan your run at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitecshepherdpreserve.org
- Phone+1 678-466-0572
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–9 pm |
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