HomeGeorgiaSandy Springs › Sandy Springs Trail

Sandy Springs Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · Running trail in Sandy Springs, Georgia · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Boardwalk
Loop distance
Not reported
Shape
Loop
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Sandy Springs Trail'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.

BoardwalkLoopScenicDog-friendlyTrailhead parking

What runners say about Sandy Springs Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (39 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 6 mentions

“The trail is beautiful and such a safe haven for your dogs to stay cool in summer, walking along an always somewhat breezy river with wildlife & nature to nurture us!”

I have been in love with Island Ford Nature Park for over 30 yrs. I have enjoyed the trail from parking lots 1, 2 and 3 with each of my dogs. The 2nd parking lot entrance to the trail was always my favorite.

★★★★★ — Cathy , Feb 2023

Great trail for walking. Clear and no washouts. No parking except in the Island Ford South parking lot.

★★★★★ — Keith , Feb 2018

The trail is beautiful I enjoyed my hike and got a full view of the river.

★★★★★ — Reni , Aug 2023

We took a four mile loop from the first parking lot as you enter the Island Ford park to the ranger station via mainly wooded trails, down to the river and then back to the parking lot. Trails were a little sloppy after the rains but well marked.

★★★★★ — David , Feb 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 39 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 11 mentions

“I have enjoyed the trail from parking lots 1, 2 and 3 with each of my dogs.”

More trails like this →

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“The trail is beautiful and such a safe haven for your dogs to stay cool in summer, walking along an always somewhat breezy river with wildlife & nature to nurture us!”

More trails like this →

🐕 Dog-friendly 6 mentions

“I have enjoyed the trail from parking lots 1, 2 and 3 with each of my dogs.”

More trails like this →

🔁 Loop trail 2 mentions

“Take the loop that goes down by the river”

More trails like this →

🪵 Boardwalk

“There is a beautiful concrete boardwalk across a small lake.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Sandy Springs Trail

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.

Hours

Monday 7 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 7 am–8 pm
Sunday 7 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Sandy Springs Trail

8901-8947 Island Ferry Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Get directions

Running trails near Sandy Springs

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Island Ford Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,351 reviews

Sandy Springs, GA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Peaceful riverside park offering a range of trails plus rafting, fishing & other activities.

under a mile away

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 800 reviews

Sandy Springs, GA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Large, forested park popular for river rafting, trout fishing & its variety of hiking/biking trails.

under a mile away

Roswell Underpass Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 129 reviews

Roswell, GA

BoardwalkScenic

Petite riverside park with walking paths and views for jogs and workouts, plus fishing.

1.0 miles away

Don White Memorial Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 452 reviews

Roswell, GA

ScenicDog-friendly

Waterfront space known for serene spots and outdoor activities like kayaking, grilling and swimming, plus picnic areas.

1.1 miles away

1.3 miles away

Roswell Riverwalk Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 123 reviews

Roswell, GA

MixedShadedScenicDog-friendly

Scenic trail winding along a river with playgrounds, canoes, a boardwalk and picnic tables.

1.5 miles away

All running trails in Sandy Springs, GA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.