Westside Park - Bellwood Quarry

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Westside Park - Bellwood Quarry, located in the state of Georgia, is a captivating destination with numerous reasons to visit.


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Summary

This former granite quarry turned park offers a range of attractions, interesting facts, and the best time of year to explore it.

One of the primary reasons to visit Westside Park - Bellwood Quarry is its breathtaking scenery. With its massive stone cliffs, clear-water lakes, and lush vegetation, the park provides a stunning backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. The park's sheer size, covering approximately 280 acres, allows for ample exploration opportunities.

Specific points of interest within Westside Park include the Bellwood Quarry itself, which is an impressive landmark. The historic quarry provided granite for notable projects throughout Atlanta, including the Georgia State Capitol building and the Olympic Stadium. The quarry has since been transformed into a magnificent reservoir known as the Westside Reservoir Park, which will act as a future water supply for Atlanta.

Additionally, the park offers an array of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking and biking trails that wind through the picturesque surroundings, providing ample opportunities for exercise and exploration. The park is also expected to feature playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports fields, providing a variety of options for outdoor recreation.

Interesting facts about Westside Park - Bellwood Quarry include its role in various film and television productions, such as "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" and "Stranger Things." Its distinctive landscape has made it a popular choice for filmmakers seeking unique settings.

The best time of year to visit Westside Park - Bellwood Quarry is during the spring and fall seasons. The moderate temperatures and pleasant weather during these times make it ideal for outdoor activities. It is advisable to check the specific opening hours and availability of facilities within the park, as the development of certain areas may still be ongoing.

To ensure accuracy, it is recommended to verify the information provided by referring to multiple independent sources, such as official park websites, local tourism websites, and news articles.

       

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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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