I enjoyed a very nice hike on Sunday morning with some girlfriends led by the park rangers at Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve. The weather was perfect and the knowledgeable rangers led us on an educational flora and fauna hike. We learned about different plants and mosses growing on the mountain. We even saw a pair of ducks and their nest of eggs. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. read more

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This is a handy stop that is not far off the highway. The area includes extensive paved trails wide enough to accommodate bikes and walkers without a huge hassle. The land is interesting, a mix of rocky and verdant terrain. Some dirt trails divert off into the woods. There are a few substantial parking areas. Some open meadows are near the bottom of the hill, while the rocks tend to be more prominent the higher you go. It's a free stop as well. read more

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We loved this preserve. We saw lots of wildlife and enjoyed the scenery. Although it was a Saturday and an area favorite, we had periods of quiet and solitude on the trails/boardwalk. The parking lot at the nature center is small and fills quickly. I would advise arriving early to get parking. However, I believe that this lack of parking also allowed it to be less crowded that it might otherwise be. Use the restrooms at the parking area before heading out. The parking lot by the mountain base access is also tiny and fills quickly. There is only a porta potty at the mountain access parking lot. One solution is to park at either the nature center or the mountain base and stay put as you explore. It is about a mile or so via roadside boardwalk to get between the nature center and mountain base. read more

We decided to come to Arabia one Saturday morning. It was less commercial than Stone Mountain, you don't have to pay to park and it wasn't overly crowded. We parked and walked through a little trail on the way to the bigger piece. We passed by a small house that had Mother's Day activities going on inside and some outdoor training going on in front. We proceeded to climb Arabia Mountain, but saw a new path for the lake so we decided to follow the yellow signs and see what that was about. It's is great place to do anything outdoors. You can take pictures, climb the mountain, walk the trail to the lake and/or exercise. I enjoyed every moment of walking, even though I was hot and sweaty from carrying a fetus and hiking. We made a choice to try and do it every Saturday we're in town. It was a hot, Spring day but that made it better. We got to feel the "burn" - lol. I loved the way the mountain was set up, the landscape was much different than Stone Mountain and there were parts and time where we didn't see any other people for long lengths of time - which I loved. It was serene and calm. This is my new favorite place. read more

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Doesn't look like you will have as much fun as you will at first glance but after being there and enjoying this amazing place with either family , friends , or even pet I promise it will change your mind. If you love nature like I do I have no doubt this will change your day from sad to happy. Nothing can take mature away from you and this is a example of how nature is a amazing way of releasing stress and to go to to have fun. read more

It's a great place to hike and I think it's more unique than Stone Mountain. There is many trails you can wander and also the vegetation changes as you walk around the lake. The hike up is not as strenuous so can be done if you have never hiked before. Recommend checking out and wandering the trails and top of mountain to check out some cool tidal pools read more

What a gem! I can't believe I've lived in Lithonia all this time and I'm just now discovering this place. The trail was well kept and had pathways that led to a lake and Arabia mountain. It was gorgeous! There were several benches located throughout the trail. I think I enjoyed the walk more than my dog. The only downside was a couple of people who didn't have their dogs on leashes. We'll definitely be returning soon to discover more of this beautiful place. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - Jett enjoying the trail - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

As with its more popular sister park, Stone Mountain, this hidden gem is a geologic wonder--a rare granite outcropping found in few places on Earth. Unlike its sister, it still remains, with the exception of a few trails, pristine. The lack of any Confederate iconography cut into its side is a good clue. It's strange though. Few, even native Atlantans are familiar with this unique park. With the exception of the occasional busload of prepubescent field trippers, the crowds are mercifully thin. Granted there's no antique locomotive to drive you in circles in some strange throwback to the old times there are not forgotten, so you'll just have to make due with the miles of newly built trails, the friendly park rangers and the secret lake begging for picnic partners. Climb to the top of the Arabia Mountain. Go ahead. You won't hurt it. When you're there, marvel at the vista that is Lithonia. Enjoy the breezes. Breathe in the fresh(ish) Atlanta air. You won't regret coming here AND you'll be the coolest kid in your clique when you show off this secluded treasure. read more

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This is one of those hidden treasures. It's secluded, off the highway and down a few narrow roads. It's close to Stone Mountain but doesn't have all the "tourist-y" hoopla. We hiked for several hours dipping in and out of heavily wooded areas to wide open spaces of granite outcroppings. On our hike, we saw animal foot prints as well as massive trees which we could not resist climbing. It was great! The park is not a busy as Sweetwater Creek or the Chattahoochee Nature preserve so, if you're looking for some quiet time to meditate and relax with nature, this is a great choice. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

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If you've not caught a sunrise at Arabia Mountain, you must go. Dreamlike. Afterwards, stay and explore the park. It's like none other. read more

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I've been coming to Arabia Mountain for nearly 30 years. A lot has changed. Way back then, there was limited parking off the side of the road. There was graffiti everywhere.....Someone actually painted the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven.....That's all gone and what is left is pure nature. Every time I go, I manage to see or find something I had not seen before. This park is large with plenty of hiking trails. There's a pond on the other side of the main peaks. There are remnants of the quarry work that went on years ago. It's a great place to go if you want to feel alone and isolated. Arabia Mountain is older than Stone Mountain as it had formed, then re-formed due to heat and pressure. Be sure to look closely for gobs of quartz and other minerals embedded in the granite. Bring your dog, just be sure to keep it on a leash and clean up after. Best nature value in the area. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

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This place really is a great alternative to Stone Mountain. Took the kids and had a ball. The trail leading to the lake wasn't as exciting according to my 2 millennials, but it was adventurous to say the least. Overall we enjoyed our time there.The girl at the information center was very helpful and kind. If you're one who doesn't need to be surrounded by mobs of people to have a good time, this place is for you. Fun for all ages. Midmorning and sunset will probably be the most romantic times to visit and catch the nice breeze at the mountain's peak. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - Beautiful lake at the end of a winding trail! - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

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What is this place? It's just a big rock. Unlike that other rock in Stone Mountain, this one is a different color. Stone Mountain looks like you're in the moon. Arabia mountain looks like Mars... kinda. The trail is free. Even the parking is free! So this is a nice place to go and walk. As for parking, the lot can get full during busy weekends. I'm not sure when the peak time is. But if you go during winter, when it's cold, you'll see fewer people. I think the warmer months you'll see a ton of people. The hike to the top is pretty short. When you go up there during sunrise or sunset, it looks amazing. The top is where it's all rock and looks like Mars at the right lighting. Bring your camera and your pretty girl-friend, wife, and or mistress. You can take some great photos here during sunrise/sunset. There are barely and trees or shade. So make sure you have your sunscreen when hiking. Also, when you walk, make sure not to step on any of the wild lichens. Just don't disturb the natural surroundings. This is a great place to go. It's pretty cool Atlanta has something like this close by. read more

The parks department really did a great job here. There are miles of trails and everything is well marked and well maintained. Go to Arabia Mountain, it's worth it and pretty easy. Park in the south parking lot and follow the well marked stone markers (cairns) up to the top. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - In the spring the Diamorpha bloom creating beautiful red pockets on the granite. - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

This was an unexpected find but I really enjoyed my visit here. The hike up the hill was easy and short. The view at the top was so refreshing and the sun set was a big plus. read more

Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve - Parks Near Me - Lithonia, Georgia

Excellent walking trails, back to nature. No distance issues. Nature center has good information on the preserve.

Pretty easy and shady walk. Half of the trails are shaded and the other half is up a plateau which I guess is the "mountain." One of the trail goes out behind people's houses. There is a lake about a mile from the main visiting center. I noticed two parking lots, one at the main visitor center and another at a wildness center. On the mountain, the trail is marked with these stone towers about knee high. You can't miss them. There are tiny cacti everywhere and these tiny red plants you are not supposed to step on but they are in the most random places where you need to step. We did find this puddle on the top of the mountain filled with tadpoles, so many tadpoles read more

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This is my go-to local Atlanta hiking spot and I think it's very special and unique. Here's why it's worth your time to visit: * This place is beautiful no matter what time of year. It's fascinating to explore a place with so much exposed rock and how many plants and trees grow from the rocks. * The terrain and view are very similar to Stone Mountain but fewer people and easier accessibility. * There are many different areas to explore, so each visit can be unique. You can explore different trails that go through the woods or simply explore all the rocky outcrops. * There's no entrance fee. Parking is free. * You can bring dogs! Make sure to clean up after them along with any other trash. * There's a board walk that is located near the parking area that's great for a more even terrain. Many bike paths connect to this area for additional exploring opportunities. Enjoy exploring Arabia Mountain! read more

We had been wanting to check out Arabia Mountain and some of the surrounding trails for a while now and we finally got around to it on a somewhat overcast Saturday. We arrived around 1130am and there were only a few other cars parked in the South parking lot. We parked, walked across the small footbridge, and began the very, very short approach to the base of Arabia Mountain. It's gorgeous. Open rock face, tons of shifted rock, cairns marking the path, pretty coniferous trees, and a great view. You can see in almost 360º and if you look closely to the west, you can see a few buildings in Downtown ATL. (Especially the BoA building). We spent a little bit of time enjoying the fun wildlife and flora/fauna on the mountaintop. There are some really interesting species growing everywhere and are really cool to read about. We walked back down the patch and jumped in the car to the North parking lot, parked, and began to walk the paved path. There are multiple routes to take back towards Arabia Mountain and all through Lithonia. We ended up walking about 2-3 miles on the path that eventually hit Klondike road again, and then we turned back. It was a super calm, heavily wooded path with a good mix of sunshine and shade. We thoroughly enjoyed it. Very peaceful. I really enjoyed the landscape of Arabia Mounain. We both want to go back when different plants and flowers are in bloom and hopefully on a more sunny day. read more

I can't wait to get back here again. It's basically Stone Mountain's less touristy cousin. I am such a fan of the bike path and bike locking stations at the entrances to various paths. You can hike along rock, a wooded area, a creek with little waterfalls and bike all in the same place on the same day. It's a great park. The maps online are very helpful and the trails marked well. I was slightly confused when I got a to huge open rock plateau...but I'm not a complete ditz so I was able to deduce that the little humps of rocks were the trail markers :-) The bike trail goes a lot further outside of the Arabia Park are, down to Panola Mountain and I think it starts up in downtown Lithonia (whatever that means). Great trip, great views and a versatile option. You can cover as much or as little ground as you want, bike or don't bike. Will be back soon. read more

Known as Stone Mountain's poorer cousin, this is for those looking for something off-the-beaten-path but not too far from the city. Will make you feel like Bowie in The Man Who Fell to the Earth. The best time of the year is spring, and a day or so after the rain has come through, as a great number of the natural craters will have filled with water, and small, reddish flowers will populate the pools. Not too high to climb and great for those like trying to sprint up the side of Stone Mountain. This is less steep, but will give you a steady climb to the top of either peak. The trails are pretty rough and more volunteers would be useful, but my feeling is that they're intentionally leaving it this way, as to not disturb the natural vegetation. Near the second peak is a small, private lake that is picturesque, and gives you something else to ruminate over. About half an hour east of the city, and good for a 2 hour diversion. read more

Located in Lithonia, this place is B E A U T I F U L. - Older than Stone Mountain, and known as it's wealthier more well-kept, richer, prettier cousin... it's truly a site you must see! - There are many sections to it and it looks different depending on the season. There are parts where you have paths and there are parts where you just hike. It's the most peaceful outdoor park in the metro area, hands down, and it's a hidden treasure. - You don't know what you'll see in regards to wildlife, so definitely dress appropriately and be prepared. - Lithonia is basically I-20 East going towards Augusta... the park is only about 35 minutes from the city (midtown), depending on traffic of course. If you're an explorer and nature lover, you'll LOVE this place, guaranteed. It's serene and gorgeous! read more

When my husband and I were living in Oakland we would go on a hike almost every other weekend, so close were we to so many regional, state, and even national parks. We often lament how difficult it can feel to get out of Atlanta and into nature. We're always excited when we find some place that we can hike that's less than a half hour away. There's a great loop that's about two and a half miles and it takes you through forests and then out into that main feature of the park - these crazy granite wastelands that feel like walking along a lunar landscape. I could run around on those for hours, they're just so interesting - as cool as Stone Mountain, and way less crowded. We only saw four other people the entire time we were there. The woods themselves are really pretty, too, with a lovely little lake and rusted remnants of industry cropping up in strange places. It was a perfect change of pace from the usual dog walk! Definitely a find! Less than 20 minutes from our Candler Park apartment, this is a strange and wonderful little park. read more

There is not a Yelp page just saying Arabia Mountain. I didn't post the pics on this page until Robin pointed it out to me. I posted on the Arabian Mountain Trail, I mean, who would have thought? Why did I take so long to visit Arabia Mountain? How come I never heard about it? I grew up in Dekalb County, in the Dec! Come on. I only have heard of Stone Mountain, which I still go to till this day and Panola Mountain. Why not Arabia Mountain? I like to stay active so I was looking up mountains to hike since I just I want to see what other mountains I can take on. Since the weather has been weird, it took me longer to finally check out Arabian Mountain. Honestly, I mainly came to check out AWARE Wildlife Center but they were closed and were at the Dogwood Festival instead. Since I parked in that side, I decided to take the trail that was there. Apparently, according to everyone else on Yelp who has been, seems like I was on the other side of the mountain. It really seemed like I was on another planet. More like Mars. Seriously. I am a huge Divergent fan so if you are too, after going over the wall, it reminded me of those scenes from Allegiant. I mean, the movie was filmed here too, right? It was beautiful! Some people say mini Stone Mountain but it's more like Panola Mountain to me. It's not crowded and still have beautiful plants on it. Since I've been going to Stone Mountain a lot, the hike up Arabia was a breeze. You will find a block of stones looking like a barrel to help lead you up. There were a lot of craters so you do have to watch your steps. The mountain was much longer on top than I would have thought. I saw a lake on the other side. I didn't explore the full mountain but will next time because I am curious how far it will go. It is definitely beautiful on top. It was really windy. I need another beautiful day to stay longer next time. Definitely coming back! read more

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Nice clear trails. Safe atmosphere. Beautiful views on sunrise and sunsets. Two for the price of one because there's multiple mountains and hiking trails. Also has biking path. read more

Discovered Davidson Arabia Nature Preserve from a neighbor who kept posting pictures of this beautiful park that is apparently only 20 minutes from East Atlanta. I feel like this is Stone Mountain's lesser known and less crowded step child. It's a really nice easy hike with lots of rock formations and the usual lake and trees to check out. Lots of dog walkers are out. It's a nice 2 1/2 mile loop, more of a walk than a hike. Definitely recommend, but not to everyone, it's charm is it's not crowded! read more

If you've been to Stone Mountain and think holy crap it's too commercial you need to check this place out. There are paved walking paths for those that just want a casual stroll through some beautiful scenery, hiking trails for those that want to just dive in, and plenty of places to explore. It's not as crowded as some of the outdoor spaces you find in metro Atlanta and is pristine. Worth a trip down I-20. read more

What a beautiful area. My sisters and I walked the trail and detoured to the trail through the woods that led to the lake. It was beautiful, and surprisingly not infested with bugs. Make sure you follow the yellow marks(sometimes on trees, sometimes on markers) and you won't go wrong. Tip: Dress appropriately, AND BRING WATER. read more

Looking for easy well maintained trails close to Atlanta, this is the place. You can hike or bike on the trails. There are also dirt trails to wander off on. The view is pretty up on top of the mountain but not too strenuous to hike to. Great for families and little ones. Also they have a animal wildlife refuge open on Saturdays, but call first or check their website. They also do bike rentals. read more

Beautiful place for hiking. Well marked trails and very helpful staff in the nature center. Caution: our car was broken into while we hiked and purse was stolen. Be sure all valuables are out of view before you leave your car to hike. read more

Great spot for hiking. Multiple trails on the premises and not crowded. 20 mins out of the city. Will definitely be coming back often. If you want to hike to the mountain peak, its easier to park at the base of the mountain by the AWARE wildlife reserve. read more

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This park was beautiful. It was clean and kept up with. It was an easy and enjoyable hike up the mountain. There were tons of little pools in the granite that provided a home to a gorgeous mix of moss, grasses, flowers, and sedums. The mountain is a perfect spot to check out and enjoy on a nice day. read more

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After reading all the rave reviews we took the 1.15 hr one way drive from Johns Creek to Lithonia and what a let down this park was! First off all it's in Lithonia... No offense to the residents, but come on.. The parking is free, but I feel much safer paying Piedmont $3/hr and parking at their gated garage. Forget the location and the parking... The Park has to be WOW right? Umm unfortunately not. The kiddie picnic area was very tiny, and one part of the trail runs parallel to the road, so you can hear the road/car noise when you walk. We took another trail to see the 'water body' and again what a giant disappointment. It smelled bad, and the brown/yellowish water had gunk so you couldn't stand too close and enjoy the view. Please note, we were just looking for a pleasant 1 hr walk around nature, but if you are planning a trail to climb up a mountain, this review is not for that. One good thing is that the park is not crowded. If I was local, I may have gone for a run, but it certainly isn't worth driving more than 20 mins for an experience (sorry Arabia caretakers if I sounded harsh, but it's just my humble opinion) read more

Good for: spring and fall hikes, bike trail rides, late-night meteor showers, a change of pace from other parks. In the flat heat of summer all that granite and unremarkable pine scrub can make you feel a little piqued. If you hear of a meteor shower, this is the best place to go. One night a friend and i woke our children at 230am, packed sleeping bags, flashlights and snacks and stumbled through the darkness to the highest point we could manage and laid in what felt like the bald openness of the night sky. We felt special and small, watching all those stars fall just for us, making wishes on every one. I liked thinking about how the world felt when it was brand new, darkness and rock and always stars. My children still talk about it. If you get to the highest points of Mt. Arabia, there are rain pools carved into the open rock, and all kinds of funny and swaying things grow there. On a breezy afternoon you could sit out there and feel like you live in a dream. It's pretty nice. read more

I was really impressed with this place. Like the other yelpers, it really is the sister to Stone Mountain but in my opinion, much cooler, less crowded, and parking is free. The drive is not bad here eiher if you are coming from Atlanta. It's about a 10 minute drive from the highway. There are multiple parking lots. I would recommend to park in the South Parking lot if you are planning to hike the mountain. The Boardwalk looks pretty cool though. If you happen to park in the Nature Center parking and want to hike up the mountain, you can just walk the boardwalk to get across. The trail itself up the mountain is gorgeous. Make sure you follow the stones which will eventually turn into blue markings. Once you actually reach the top, you can just keep walking into foreverland. It's gorgeous and after a while, you forget you're even in Georgia, let alone the world. That's how serene it is. I recommend to wear good hiking shoes and pack a picnic. There is a lake at the top of the mountain although it's pretty small. Nevertheless, you will be astonded with the scenery. It's 100x better than Stone Mountain in my opinion :) read more

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Very nice place to hike. It's not as crowded as Stone Mountain. There are multiple trails you can take so you can come here often and not get bored. The trails are clearly marked and there are maps to keep you from getting lost. read more

I went here for the first time with my friend and it was like a scene from a movie. I love nature and there is plenty of it here. It's the forest. People are nice here too, everyone says hello , it's an all around good vibe. Very beautiful and peaceful. Will be back SOON! read more

This place is very beautiful I really enjoyed my time spent on the trails.Birds were flying all over. It smelled so nice and tge trails were all clean read more

took my kids in the 1st week of June and rode our bikes around the concrete trails. We are going back Sat morning to fish Arabia lake to see what is in the lake so far as fish goes. Maybe some largemouth bass or bream? Well, today we went to fish Arabia lake. What a dissappointment. Hot and sticky weather and no fish to speak of either using plastic worms, top water lures or rooster tail spinners. Looks like the suave and sophisticated fisherman of Lithonia have fished it out or just an example of fishing while the lake temps are too warm. someone clue me in on this. read more

So peaceful, well maintained and beautiful. Not overly crowded like most parks in the area. A really great way to get out of the city and enjoy some wildlife! read more