Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Master Parkland Directory
The complete directory of Forsyth County’s 3,200+ acres of public parkland. Explore Sawnee Mountain Preserve (963 acres), the 11.2-mile Big Creek Greenway, Fowler Park skate park, Central Park disc golf, Matt Community Park archery range, and lakefront parks.
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation manages over 3,200 acres of parkland, spanning pristine mountain nature preserves, paved greenways, championship athletic complexes, and Lake Lanier boat ramps. Supported by voter-approved SPLOST IX funding, Forsyth continuously modernizes trailheads, adds artificial turf fields, and expands community recreation centers.
Table of Contents
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation manages over 2,600 acres across 25 developed parks. Anchor amenities include the 963-acre Sawnee Mountain Preserve with Indian Seats observation deck, Central Park’s multi-sport complex, Fowler Park’s skate park and Big Creek Greenway connection, and Eagle’s Beak Park on the Etowah River.
1. Signature Mountain & River Nature Preserves
Sawnee Mountain Preserve (963 Acres)
1,970 Ft SummitThe crown jewel of Forsyth County. Hike 11+ miles of forested trails to the sacred Indian Seats rock outcrop with 180-degree Blue Ridge Mountain views. Features an interactive 5,600 sq ft Environmental Nature Center, tree canopies, and playground.
Eagle’s Beak Park (226 Acres)
Etowah River AccessScenic riverfront park on the Etowah River in Northwest Forsyth. Features a designated kayak and canoe launch along the Etowah River Water Trail, nature walking loops, wetland boardwalks, and shaded picnic pavilions.
2. Big Creek Greenway (11.2 Paved Miles)
The **Big Creek Greenway** is a 12-foot-wide paved multi-use trail winding through scenic wetlands and hardwood forests along Big Creek. The trail accommodates walking, jogging, road cycling, rollerblading, and strollers:
| Trailhead Name | Physical Address | Key Amenities & Connections |
|---|---|---|
| Halcyon Trailhead | 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA | Connects directly to Halcyon dining & retail |
| Fowler Park Trailhead | 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, GA | Restrooms, skate park, dog park, parking |
| Union Hill Trailhead | 5258 Union Hill Rd, Cumming, GA | Paved parking lot, picnic tables |
| Bethelview Trailhead | 5120 Bethelview Rd, Cumming, GA | Restrooms, water bottle filling station |
| Kelly Mill Trailhead | Kelly Mill Rd & Chamblee Gap Rd | SPLOST IX renovation & extension sector |
3. Major Athletic Complexes, Tennis & Skate Parks
Fowler Park
85 Acres10,000 sq ft concrete street & bowl skate park, multi-acre fenced dog park, indoor recreation gym, turf athletic fields, tennis, and pickleball.
Central Park
85 AcresChampionship 18-hole disc golf course, 8-court lighted tennis complex, baseball/softball diamonds, and indoor fitness gym.
Matt Community Park
180 AcresSynthetic turf soccer/lacrosse complex, 3D competition archery range, playground, and multi-use paved walking trails.
4. Lake Lanier Waterfront Parks & Campgrounds
Shady Grove Campground
109 Campsites109-acre lakeside campground on Lake Lanier. Features 100+ RV sites with 30/50-amp power and water hookups, glamping tents, swimming beach, courtesy boat ramp, and bathhouses.
Charleston & Tidwell Parks
Tournament LaunchesPremier multi-lane deep-water boat launches on Lake Lanier with courtesy docks, mountain bike singletrack loops (Charleston), and tournament weigh-in pavilions (Tidwell).
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are pets allowed at Sawnee Mountain Preserve?
What are the hours of operation for Forsyth County parks?
How do I reserve a picnic pavilion or register for youth sports?
Independent Publisher Disclosure: Local Forsyth (localforsyth.com) is an independent civic research platform and community directory. We are not an official government agency, department, or instrumentality of the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, the City of Cumming, or the Forsyth County Board of Education.
Official Records: Official county and municipal documents, Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, SPLOST expenditures, and court records should be accessed directly through primary government repositories at forsythco.com and cityofcumming.net.