Big Trees Forest Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Big Trees Forest Preserve is a 30-acre nature preserve located in Sandy Springs, Georgia.


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Summary

The preserve is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species, including several large trees that are over 300 years old. Some good reasons to visit the preserve include hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying the peaceful natural surroundings.

One of the main points of interest at Big Trees Forest Preserve is the Chattahoochee River, which runs alongside the preserve and provides opportunities for fishing and kayaking. Other notable features of the preserve include a butterfly garden, a meadow with wildflowers, and a wetland area with a boardwalk for visitors to explore.

Interesting facts about the preserve include that it was once the site of a Native American settlement, and that it was used for logging and farming before being preserved as a natural area. Additionally, the preserve is home to several rare and endangered plant species, including the Dwarf Sumac and the Georgia Aster.

The best time of year to visit Big Trees Forest Preserve is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, the preserve is open year-round and each season offers its own unique opportunities for visitors to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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