Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve offers a unique urban nature escape featuring a diverse, short, and generally easy hiking experience. Its main draw is the blend of natural elements like a 'secret' mini bamboo forest, majestic trees, a clear creek with a concrete dam/bridge crossing, and a sandy 'beach' area along South Fork Peachtree Creek, providing an adventurous yet accessible outing.
Key Highlights
- ✓Discovery of a mini bamboo forest.
- ✓Exciting creek crossing via a concrete dam/bridge.
- ✓A fantastic sandy 'beach' at South Fork Peachtree Creek.
- ✓Beautiful, clear creek ideal for observation.
- ✓Majestic trees providing a serene atmosphere.
- ✓The hike is short and mostly easy, suitable for a quick visit.
- ✓Creates a feeling of childhood exploration and playing in the woods.
Standout Features
- ⭐The 'secret' mini bamboo forest for a sense of discovery.
- ⭐Interactive creek crossing via a concrete dam/bridge.
- ⭐Unique 'beach' area at South Fork Peachtree Creek.
- ⭐Opportunity to observe lizards and other wildlife (with caution for copperheads).
- ⭐Overall ease and shortness of the trail, making it manageable for families with young kids.
- ⭐Plentiful street parking readily available.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be vigilant for snakes, specifically copperheads, and educate children about not touching wildlife.
- →Consider wearing appropriate footwear for potentially wet or 'treacherous' (uneven) spots near the creek.
- →Keep dogs on a leash and always clean up after them, as per recommendations from reviewers.
- →It's an excellent choice for a quick nature outing, perhaps 'after work' or when time is limited.
- →Manage expectations regarding the 'wild' and 'overgrown' feel of some areas.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Some spots are described as 'skinny' and 'treacherous', potentially challenging for very young children or those with mobility issues.
- ⚠Presence of reptiles including venomous copperhead snakes, requiring vigilance.
- ⚠Areas can feel 'overgrown', 'abandoned', and 'wild' to some visitors.
- ⚠Reported presence of a homeless individual, which made one visitor feel uneasy.
- ⚠Dog owners sometimes fail to clean up after their pets.
- ⚠One reviewer found the stream and river 'tiny' or 'kind of river' which might not meet expectations for a grand waterway.
Price & Value
The preserve appears to be free to enter, offering significant value for a unique urban nature experience with diverse features like a bamboo forest and creek access.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Likely not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs due to descriptions of 'skinny/treacherous spots' and uneven terrain.
- •No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews, and the natural, wild nature of the preserve suggests limited accessibility features.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not explicitly mentioned in reviews, but as a nature preserve, standard 'pack it in, pack it out' rules for food and drinks are implied.
🚗Parking Info
- •Street parking is available and described as 'plentiful'.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not specifically mentioned as crowded, with one reviewer noting a 'homeless guy hanging out' which could imply it's not always bustling. The 'after work walk' suggestion implies it's generally accessible.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features implemented by the preserve were mentioned.
- •Parents should be aware of the natural dangers, specifically the presence of copperhead snakes.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If you are highly uncomfortable with the presence of venomous snakes like copperheads.
- • If seeking a meticulously maintained park with paved, fully accessible paths (due to 'skinny/treacherous spots' and overgrown areas).
- • If concerned about encountering homeless individuals or a sense of 'abandoned & wild' surroundings.
- • If you are looking for a long, challenging, or multi-hour hiking experience (it's 'very short and easy').
Pricing/Package/Events
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Yasmin Smith
4 years agoThis was a great urban trek, my favorite parts were finding the mini bamboo forest and crossing the creek via the concrete dam/bridge. Felt like I was a kid again playing in the woods! 😊 The parking was street parking and plentiful. Enjoy!
Michael Maffett
6 months agoIt's a beautiful park! The trees are truly majestic! It's a small park, but the creek is just amazing! Please clean up after your pup! And a leash is recommended! I'm not a leash guy. But the reptiles are present! The lizards are chill, copperhead, less so!
Curtis Free
3 years agoA lot of fun! A few skinny/treacherous spots, but overall an easy hike. And the "beach" at South Fork Peachtree Creek is fantastic!
Autumn L
4 years agoYou’ll see various of the views: sandy beach, clear creek, and even with a secret bamboo forest. The hike is very short and easy, good for after work walk.
Wendy T
5 months agoIt’s kind of an overgrown urban “forest” with a tiny stream and a kind of “river” with some sand. There was a homeless guy hanging out & it felt pretty abandoned & wild. Doubt I’ll go back.
Contact Information
Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve, 1301 Beech Valley Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA
View on Google Maps