Playgrounds, picnics, hikes, and more — that’s what you can expect from local parks around Alpharetta. Whether you’re looking for an outdoor destination for a special celebration, a place to get some fresh air, or an area where the kids can blow off some steam, there’s an awesome park for you. Here are seven local parks around Alpharetta, Georgia.

Wills Park

Image via Flickr by Vlad Busuioc Licensed CC BY 2.0

The largest park in the city, Wills Park, features a little bit of everything. There are multiple sports areas, including seven baseball fields, two tee-ball fields for the little athletes, batting cages, six lighted tennis courts, and a disc golf course. The kids can choose between three playgrounds, and the family can splash around in the pool before having a picnic at one of the five picnic shelters. This park also has a dog park, so you can bring your pooch for some fun and exercise. Take them with you on the 3.25 miles of walking trails throughout the park.

This local park stands out from the others with its additional recreation options. Grab a new book and replace it with an old one at one of the Little Free Libraries. Play cornhole, tour the Mansell House & Gardens, work out on the outdoor exercise equipment, ride horses at the Equestrian Center, or enjoy the art installations around the property. It’s one of the many Alpharetta parks that features a gorgeous arboretum full of scenic landscaped trees. If the weather is a little dreary, head inside to the Alpharetta Community Center or Alpharetta Recreation Center for indoor play.

Webb Bridge Park

Webb Bridge Park is a beautiful local park with a 1.5-mile trail that curves through the park’s arboretum of lush, towering trees. It’s a dog-friendly trail that provides great opportunities for birding and wildlife watching. At an average pace, it takes just over 30 minutes to complete. After your walk, stick around for some soccer, baseball, or tennis. 

You can also exchange books at this park’s Little Free Library, hang at the playground, get some exercise on the outdoor workout equipment, or have a picnic at one of the shelters. In addition, Webb Bridge Park features a beautiful little lake for a scenic picnic or a great view during your stroll. 

Rock Mill Park

Right across the way from the Big Creek Greenway is Rock Mill Park. It’s a small local park that’s best for small outdoor gatherings at the pavilion. There’s a paved trail that runs through the park that’s perfect for a quiet stroll or bike ride, and it connects to the larger area of the Big Creek Greenway. You can also view the small stone amphitheater, which is often used as an outdoor classroom for day camps and nature education events. Be sure to check out the smaller, green-roof pavilion where there are dozens of plants growing on the structure’s roof.

Cogburn Road Park

Cogburn Road Park is another little local spot that features a 0.2-mile paved walking trail that heads through the arboretum area, a Little Free Library, picnic shelters, and art installations. There’s a wide-open grass area that’s great for playing soccer, tossing a baseball, running around, or just relaxing under the Georgia sun. There’s one playground area that has two structures, one for kids 2 to 5 years old, and the other for kids 5 to 12 years old. 

Big Creek Greenway

The Big Creek Greenway is a recreational park area that runs along Big Creek in nearby Forsyth, here in Alpharetta, and in nearby Roswell. There are multiple entrances into this greenway, which features a 12-foot-wide multi-use trail path for hiking, biking, and running. The entire trail is 9 miles long, but you can break it up over multiple days or just explore your favorite portions closer to home. 

The more you explore, the more likely you are to see a variety of native wildlife as well as seasonal plants and flowers. There are boardwalks that take you from the main trail to the connected parks, like Rock Mill Park and Union Hill Park in Alpharetta, or into outlook areas so you can view Big Creek. Other entrance areas and connectors include along Haynes Bridge Road, at North Point Mall, and on Marconi Drive.

Big Creek Park

Big Creek Park in nearby Roswell is one of the best places for mountain biking. The Big Creek XC trails feature 6.8 miles of challenging terrain, dirt jumps, pump tracks, and a free ride area to practice before you hit the big trails. There’s also a connection point to the Big Creek Greenway trail for you to head on an easy route after the hard-hitting pumps and hills. What’s more, this area also hosts mountain biking events, like group rides and competitions. Keep an eye on RAMBO MTB’s calendar for future events.

In addition, this park features hiking trails just for pedestrians. These trails head over near the park’s pond and bubbling Big Creek. 

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is a national park located just minutes away from our hometown of Alpharetta. The Chattahoochee is an ancient waterway, and the area is rich with cultural and natural history. It’s a great spot to go hiking or biking in the park, have a picnic near the water, take in the scenery while you float along the river, or fish for trout, bass, or catfish. You can even go on a kayaking adventure with a local tour group. 

Since the park is so big, you might consider staying overnight (or longer) at one of the park’s campgrounds. Many campsites feature tent and RV setups, grills to cook up your freshly caught fish, and picnic tables for cozy al fresco dining in one of the nation’s best parks.

So there you have it, seven awesome local parks near Alpharetta, Georgia. Did we miss any of your family’s favorite local parks? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Alpharetta on Haynes Bridge Road, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!