Athens
Athens
Things to Do
  • Attractions
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Heritage Attractions
    • State Botanical Garden of Georgia
    • The Tree That Owns Itself
  • Sports & Outdoors
    • Parks
    • Hiking Trails
    • Golf
    • Cycling
    • Gardens
    • Sandy Creek Park
    • Geocaching
    • UGA Football
    • Visit the SEC Pass
  • Free Things to Do
  • Neighborhoods
    • Boulevard
    • Cobbham
    • Five Points
    • Normaltown
    • Downtown Athens
  • Family Friendly Attractions
  • Arts and Culture
    • Museums & Galleries
    • Performing Arts
    • Public Art
      • Bulldog Statues
    • Creative Community
  • Shopping
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Local Products
  • Tours
    • Historic Athens Tours
    • Music History Walking Tour
    • Day Trips from Athens
  • Itineraries
  • Nightlife
  • Spas & Wellness
  • Pet Friendly
  • Women Owned
  • LGBTQ+ Things to do
Plan
  • Itineraries
    • Two Nights Open Spaces
    • A Day in Athens
    • Two Days in Athens
    • Three Days in Athens
    • Girlfriends Getaway
    • Family Fun Itinerary
    • Bands and Brews
    • Heritage and Garden
    • Art and Culture
    • Sports and Recreation
    • Foodie Itineraries
    • Romance Itinerary
    • LGBTQ+ Itinerary
  • Welcome Center
    • Pumpkins on the Porch Contest
  • Visitors Guide
  • FAQ
    • Trivia
    • Helpful Information
    • Alcohol Sales
  • Heritage
    • Attractions
    • History of Athens
    • Athens Historic Districts
    • Black Heritage
    • Genealogy Resources
  • Coupons & Deals
  • Enewsletter Signup
  • Blog
  • Getting Here & Getting Around: Transportation to Athens
  • Resources
  • Relocation & Retirement
  • Weather
  • About Athens
  • Ready Set Go Safely
  • map
Events
  • Annual Events & Festivals
  • UGA Football
    • Football Parking and Tailgating
    • Football Top 5
    • Football Hotel Availability
    • Bulldog Traditions
    • G-Day: UGA Spring Football Game
  • This Weekend
  • Concerts & Live Music
  • Foodie Events
  • All UGA Sports
  • Spring in Athens
  • Submit an Event
Restaurants
  • Outdoor Dining
  • Craft Breweries
  • Black Owned Restaurants
  • Downtown Athens Restaurants
  • Coupons & Deals
  • Award Winning Dining
  • Pet Friendly
  • Farmers Markets
  • Group Dining
  • Foodie Events
  • Foodie Itineraries
  • Open All Night
Hotels
  • Deals & Packages
  • Near UGA
  • Near The Classic Center
  • Downtown Athens Hotels
  • Pet-Friendly
  • Bed & Breakfast
  • Camping/RV
Music
  • Athens Music Walk of Fame
  • Concert Calendar
  • The Athens Sound
  • Where to Hear Live Music
  • Music History Walking Tour
  • Bands and Brews Itinerary
  • Summer Music & Festivals
  • Hire an Athens Musician
  • Nightlife
Blog
  • Things to Do
    • Attractions
      • Coupons & Deals
      • Heritage Attractions
      • State Botanical Garden of Georgia
      • The Tree That Owns Itself
    • Sports & Outdoors
      • Parks
      • Hiking Trails
      • Golf
      • Cycling
      • Gardens
      • Sandy Creek Park
      • Geocaching
      • UGA Football
      • Visit the SEC Pass
    • Free Things to Do
    • Neighborhoods
      • Boulevard
      • Cobbham
      • Five Points
      • Normaltown
      • Downtown Athens
    • Family Friendly Attractions
    • Arts and Culture
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Art
        • Bulldog Statues
      • Creative Community
    • Shopping
      • Coupons & Deals
      • Local Products
    • Tours
      • Historic Athens Tours
      • Music History Walking Tour
      • Day Trips from Athens
    • Itineraries
    • Nightlife
    • Spas & Wellness
    • Pet Friendly
    • Women Owned
    • LGBTQ+ Things to do
  • Plan
    • Itineraries
      • Two Nights Open Spaces
      • A Day in Athens
      • Two Days in Athens
      • Three Days in Athens
      • Girlfriends Getaway
      • Family Fun Itinerary
      • Bands and Brews
      • Heritage and Garden
      • Art and Culture
      • Sports and Recreation
      • Foodie Itineraries
      • Romance Itinerary
      • LGBTQ+ Itinerary
    • Welcome Center
      • Pumpkins on the Porch Contest
    • Visitors Guide
    • FAQ
      • Trivia
      • Helpful Information
      • Alcohol Sales
    • Heritage
      • Attractions
      • History of Athens
      • Athens Historic Districts
      • Black Heritage
      • Genealogy Resources
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Enewsletter Signup
    • Blog
    • Getting Here & Getting Around: Transportation to Athens
    • Resources
    • Relocation & Retirement
    • Weather
    • About Athens
    • Ready Set Go Safely
    • map
  • Events
    • Annual Events & Festivals
    • UGA Football
      • Football Parking and Tailgating
      • Football Top 5
      • Football Hotel Availability
      • Bulldog Traditions
      • G-Day: UGA Spring Football Game
    • This Weekend
    • Concerts & Live Music
    • Foodie Events
    • All UGA Sports
    • Spring in Athens
    • Submit an Event
  • Restaurants
    • Outdoor Dining
    • Craft Breweries
    • Black Owned Restaurants
    • Downtown Athens Restaurants
    • Coupons & Deals
    • Award Winning Dining
    • Pet Friendly
    • Farmers Markets
    • Group Dining
    • Foodie Events
    • Foodie Itineraries
    • Open All Night
  • Hotels
    • Deals & Packages
    • Near UGA
    • Near The Classic Center
    • Downtown Athens Hotels
    • Pet-Friendly
    • Bed & Breakfast
    • Camping/RV
  • Music
    • Athens Music Walk of Fame
    • Concert Calendar
    • The Athens Sound
    • Where to Hear Live Music
    • Music History Walking Tour
    • Bands and Brews Itinerary
    • Summer Music & Festivals
    • Hire an Athens Musician
    • Nightlife
  • Blog
Meetings
  • Meeting Facilities
    • The Classic Center
  • Planning Guide
    • Request Welcome Materials
    • Downtown Athens Hotel Map
    • Caterers & Planners
    • Group Dining
    • Group Experiences
    • Local Shuttles
    • Audiovisual Tips for Meeting Planners
    • Hire an Athens Musician
  • Vendors
  • Incentives
  • Attendees
  • Meeting Services
    • Housing Bureau & Registration
  • Meet Our Team
  • Submit an RFP
    • Film
  • Reasons to Meet in Athens
Groups
  • Event Facilities
  • Caterers & Planners
  • Services
    • Request Welcome Materials
  • Weddings
    • Athens Wedding Planners Guide
  • Reunions
    • Planners Guide
    • Reunion Itinerary
    • Reunion Resources
  • Itineraries
    • Active Athens
    • Athens Originals
    • Arts Unleashed
    • Athens for the Holidays
    • Glorious Gardens
    • UGA Sports
  • Meet Our Team
  • Request Info
Sports
  • Venues & Facilities
  • Our Services
  • Upcoming Sports Events
  • Championships & Tournaments
  • Group Dining
  • RFP
  • Meet Our Team
Media
  • Media Kit
    • Stats & Facts
    • What's New in Athens
    • For the Creative and Curious
    • Must-Visits for Music Lovers
    • For the Foodies, Hopheads & Mixologists
    • Festivals & Events
    • Filmed in Athens
    • Athens Media List
  • Rankings & Press Coverage
  • Press Releases
    • CVB Newsletters
    • Partner Releases
  • Image Gallery
  • Press Visit Interest Form
  • Meetings
    • Meeting Facilities
      • The Classic Center
    • Planning Guide
      • Request Welcome Materials
      • Downtown Athens Hotel Map
      • Caterers & Planners
      • Group Dining
      • Group Experiences
      • Local Shuttles
      • Audiovisual Tips for Meeting Planners
      • Hire an Athens Musician
    • Vendors
    • Incentives
    • Attendees
    • Meeting Services
      • Housing Bureau & Registration
    • Meet Our Team
    • Submit an RFP
      • Film
    • Reasons to Meet in Athens
  • Groups
    • Event Facilities
    • Caterers & Planners
    • Services
      • Request Welcome Materials
    • Weddings
      • Athens Wedding Planners Guide
    • Reunions
      • Planners Guide
      • Reunion Itinerary
      • Reunion Resources
    • Itineraries
      • Active Athens
      • Athens Originals
      • Arts Unleashed
      • Athens for the Holidays
      • Glorious Gardens
      • UGA Sports
    • Meet Our Team
    • Request Info
  • Sports
    • Venues & Facilities
    • Our Services
    • Upcoming Sports Events
    • Championships & Tournaments
    • Group Dining
    • RFP
    • Meet Our Team
  • Media
    • Media Kit
      • Stats & Facts
      • What's New in Athens
      • For the Creative and Curious
      • Must-Visits for Music Lovers
      • For the Foodies, Hopheads & Mixologists
      • Festivals & Events
      • Filmed in Athens
      • Athens Media List
    • Rankings & Press Coverage
    • Press Releases
      • CVB Newsletters
      • Partner Releases
    • Image Gallery
    • Press Visit Interest Form
  • About
    • Visit Athens Staff Directory
    • CVB Board of Directors
    • Visit Athens Jobs
    • Hospitality Awards
    • Partners
    • Social Media Community Guidelines
    • Film
    • Brand Toolkit
  • Partner Extranet
    • covid-19
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
Blog
Enewsletter Signup
Visitors Guide
  • Blog
  • Enewsletter Signup
  • Visitors Guide
Share
Sandy Creek Nature Center Entrance
Sandy Creek Nature Center Activity
Sandy Creek Nature Center Trail family hike
Sandy Creek Nature Center Foggy Trail
Sandy Creek Nature Center Wetland Exhibit
Sandy Creek Nature Center Wetland Exhibit
Sandy Creek Nature Center Family Exhibit
Sandy Creek Nature Center sign
Back

Sandy Creek Nature Center

  • 205 Old Commerce Rd., Athens, GA 30601
  • 706.613.3615
  • E-mail
View Website

Featuring 225 acres of woodlands and wetlands, the Sandy Creek Nature Center is a gateway to outdoor exploration. Twelve trails, including an ADA interpretive trail are available with connections to the North Oconee River Greenway and Cook's Trail. Binoculars, Identiflyers, and educational Trail Packs can be checked out for free at the Education & Visitor Center.


The Education and Visitor Center includes live reptiles, amphibians, marine and freshwater aquariums, interactive natural history exhibits, and an incredible resource library all housed in an eco-friendly building. There is also a circa 1815 Log House and several wildlife observation areas on site.

Come and explore their small planetarium and newly-expanded exhibit hall with interactive learning centers that feature the wetlands, coastal, woodlands, agricultural and  urban environments of Northeast Georgia. The Frog Pond Shop with its variety of nature-based gifts is popular with all ages. The shop is open during nature center hours.


TRAILS:



  • Pine Ridge Trail, ADA Interpretive Trail: 
    .2 miles
    Starting at the rear of the Education and Visitor Center, this walker- and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk enters woodlands and continues to a tributary of the Oconee River. Great short trail for all ages. Features interpretive areas and a wildlife observation blind.

    * Look for: Animals at the observation blind, changes in forest from upland to wetlands near the creek.


  • Brick Factory Loop & Log House Loop
    Starting at Walker Hall, these trails form several loops around the ruins of the Georgia Brick Company (circa 1900) and an early 1800's log cabin moved on-site from Oglethorpe County in 1980.

    * Look for: Building foundations, collapsed chimney remains, squirrel nests, lizards in sunny spots at the log house


  • Claypit Pond Trail
    .5 miles
    Starting at Walker Hall, the trail passes through the brick factory ruins, turning left down steps to the pond's edge. Follows the shoreline halfway around the pond.
    * Look for: Beaver sign and lodge on the small island in the pond, turtles basking on logs, fish, frogs, snakes, great blue heron.


  • Cook's Trail (closed)
    4.1 miles
    This Greenway trail connects Sandy Creek Nature Center with Sandy Creek Park. Not a loop; length is one way. Wander along Sandy Creek through woodlands and wetlands. See the Cook’s Trail map for more information. Floods in the wet season!


  • Crossridge Trail 
    (.1 miles)
    Connects Kingfisher Pond Trail with the Claypit Pond Trail, passing through pine/ hardwoods and crossing the Pine Ridge Trail. Slopes slippery when wet!
    * Look for: Sapsucker holes in large pines, mushrooms (in wet weather)



  • Hooded Warbler Trail 
    (.2 miles)

    A short loop in the upper Claypit Pond wetlands. Dense thickets of privet and tall trees make excellent cover for many bird species.
    * Look for: Warblers and orioles, salamanders, ferns


  • Kestrel Trail 
    (.7 miles)
    Named for a small falcon that may be seen in the forest edge area. The trail follows the Oconee River floodplain with several vistas of the river. Continues through the extreme northern end of the property in wooded uplands.
    * Look for: Deer and turkey in edges between the woods and fields, turtles, occasional otters in the Oconee River


  • Kingfisher Pond Trail 
    (.3 miles)
    This trail winds through the Oconee River floodplain along Kingfisher Pond and follows a creek for most of its length.
    * Look for: Mayapple and other wildflowers near the southern end of the trail, signs of beaver activity around the pond, animal tracks in the mud, waterfowl, turtles, snakes, kingfishers


  • Levee Trail 
    (.9 miles)
    Follows Sandy Creek past the Log House and continues to the confluence of the North Oconee River and Sandy Creek. Returns through the floodplain of the Oconee River. Not passable in high water.
    * Look for: Signs of beaver and raccoon along river and creek banks, turtles, herons, huge sycamore trees



  • Oconee Trail 
    (.2 miles)
    Starting at a curve in Old Commerce Road, the trail descends to the North Oconee River and loops back through hardwood floodplain forest. Floods in the wet season. 
    * Look for: Birds in the privet, salamanders, occasional river otters



  • Pine Ridge Trail 
    (.4 miles)
    Walk along the highest point on the property and get a panoramic view of Claypit Pond. Stretches between the Allen House and Walker Hall, passing through mixed pine/ hardwood forest with areas of dense shrub growth.
    * Look for: Signs of squirrel and woodpecker, spring wildflowers under the hardwoods, birds


  • Screech Owl Trail 
    (.4 miles)
    The trail roams through dense woods, climbing to a rocky outcrop and crossing an old roadbed. Passes stands of large pines and other upland trees.
     *Look for: Signs of previous agriculture, exposed rock, changes from floodplain to upland habitat





FOR MEETINGS:

 

Sandy Creek Nature Center, nestled among 250 acres of woodland, fields, and marshland, provides a secluded, tranquil setting for a meeting, conference, or retreat. The Education and Visitor Center is a multi-use building featuring live animal exhibits, meeting rooms, and an earth-friendly, energy-saving design. The Walker Hall Complex, a quiet retreat in the woods, includes meeting rooms, outdoor decks, nearby trails, and exhibits.

Meeting Features:
•Kitchen
•Picnic and recreational areas along the Greenway riverwalk
•Exhibit galleries


View the Meeting Space tab below for additional meeting specifications.

Yelp

Map

Amenities

Attractions
Sports
General
  • Guided Tours:
  • Handicap Accessible:
  • Kids Programs:
  • Parking Available:
Outdoor Recreation
  • Dogs-leashed:
  • Picnic Tables:
  • Trails-walking/hiking:
Sign up for our
Newsletter
View the
Visitors Guide
  • Visit Athens
  • 300 N THOMAS ST, ATHENS, GA 30601
  • 706.357.4430
Visit Athens test logo
  • About
    • Visit Athens Staff Directory
    • CVB Board of Directors
    • Visit Athens Jobs
    • Hospitality Awards
    • Partners
    • Social Media Community Guidelines
    • Film
    • Brand Toolkit
  • Partner Extranet
    • covid-19
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
2023 Visit Athens
madebysimpleview-hor
close

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. |  Privacy Policy