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Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 124 Google reviews · Running trail in Atlanta, Georgia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Daniel Johnson 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.
Tranquil green space with a creek & a network of unpaved trails shaded by mature trees.
What runners say about Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve
“In the summer it would be deeply shaded, and in fall there's probly a lot of mushrooms on the many fallen trees and branches and hillsides.”
“Very quiet, peaceful, and great for me and my dog!”
A quick walk with my dog tuned into an incredible hour-long hike that pleasantly surprised us with a bamboo grove and access to the powerfully historic Peachtree Creek. My pup loved taking a cooling dip in the river, and I enjoyed the many tickets of shaded forest.
Another great place to explore Peachtree creek. Access is from a neighborhood but there is room for street parking. There are a number of wooded trails with great water views and bridges.
There are a lot of huge old trees here, including the 2005 Atlanta champion tree winner. It's a beautiful place for photos and not too difficult for very young children, and there are a lot of access points to the creek.
I still think about this place from time to time. It's the closest place to feeling like Fernbank Forest so if you like that vibe and you don't wanna pay exorbitant fees then try this place out because it's free.
Trail conditions & character
“A quick walk with my dog tuned into an incredible hour-long hike that pleasantly surprised us with a bamboo grove and access to the powerfully historic Peachtree Creek.”
“Little in the way of rugged terrain or steep hills.”
“It's a beautiful place for photos and not too difficult for very young children, and there are a lot of access points to the creek.”
“In the summer it would be deeply shaded, and in fall there's probly a lot of mushrooms on the many fallen trees and branches and hillsides.”
“Very quiet, peaceful, and great for me and my dog!”
“Access is from a neighborhood but there is room for street parking.”
“It is VERY muddy whenever there are a few days of rain, but the mud & puddles don't get deeper than an inch so if you are careful you may not need boots.”
Plan your run at Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteatlantaga.gov
- Phone+1 404-546-6788
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Atlanta
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Zonolite Trail
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