Chattahoochee Nature Center

This was a really really cool spot. We ended up here from a 5k that we ran which then led to free admission for the day. They have a really neat trail system that walks you out onto the river as well as some of these animal encounters on their grounds near the visitor center. It also looked like there was a garden, but we got there after a cold front so, we definitely plan to go back in the spring or summer. If you have kids, there is also a spot for kids downstairs at their visitor center for the kids to do interactions with different games and centers.

We just renewed our membership. My 2 year old and 5 year old love the animals and trails. We visit about once per month and our 5 year old loves collecting items for the nature exchange whenever we hike or go to the beach. I also go after work often to run the trails and go on the boardwalk. The fun interactive exhibits throughout the interior and exterior trails keep kids engaged with every visit. We saw the butterflies in summer multiple times. Truly worth the yearly membership if you live within 30 min.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a lovely backdrop for an intimate wedding! Your staff made it easy to plan logistics for the wedding day in advance and was available on my client's wedding day to make everything easier for the couple, guests, and even me as the wedding photographer. Everyone at the Chattahoochee Nature Center was so friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Even down to golf cart rides for those with mobility issues or who just had a lot to carry from the parking lot to the multiple spots along the Chattahoochee River on your property and boardwalk. I loved working with your staff and photographing my couple's wedding at your venue!

The Chattahoochee Nature Reserve is an absolute treasure! From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by how peaceful and well-kept the grounds are. The trails are beautifully maintained and easy to follow, offering the perfect mix of shaded pathways, open views, and spots to pause and take in nature. We loved the opportunity to see wildlife up close—birds of prey in their sanctuary, playful chipmunks, and even a beaver along the water’s edge. The educational displays and signs made it a fantastic learning experience for our homeschool day, tying in lessons about ecosystems, conservation, and local habitats. The staff and volunteers clearly care deeply about the animals and the environment, and their passion shines through in how thoughtfully the reserve is organized. It’s a wonderful place to slow down, explore, and appreciate the natural beauty of the Chattahoochee area. Highly recommend for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking for an enriching, peaceful outing!

I had a great time as a solo visitor. They have an amazing variety of native plants and flowers, and in turn has abundant opportunity to spot native insects and birds. In summer it’s very hot, so plan to bring water and wear appropriate clothing. I brought my lunch, and there is plenty of seating and tables to rest outdoors. They had a small selection of native plants on sale which can be purchased at the lobby counter.

I went ahead and bought an annual pass because I was so excited to make this a part of my routine. There are so many amazing trails. There is a combination of elevation trails and flat. You have options along the way with a provided trail map to mix it up while you’re getting to see so much nature. We enjoyed birds and chipmunks and squirrels and other natural critters.

Love love this place. We have been going back to butterfly encounter every year. Their STEAM lab is amazing for nature/ bug loving kids. Its definitely worth every penny getting annual membership. Also, during winter time, thru have enchanted forest nature hike where you get to see cute little fairy houses.

We were visiting family in Atlanta and we were going to the al fresco concert one evening - arrived early so we could walk the paths. Really nice trails, smooth enough even for kids. Beautifully designed, very well-maintained, with a few wild birds (injured, couldn't be released back to the wild) along the path. The enclosures are impeccably clean, but for me the highlight was visiting the butterfly enclosure. We were given little painting sponges saturated with sugar water, and my five-year-old inner child was squealing ecstaticly! The docent knew her stuff and she was so kind and patient, and obviously delighted to share her enthusiasm with us. Utterly cool experience! Then we spent a chill evening with a picnic dinner listening to music by Café au Lait.

So much fun! It was a rainy day - but we really enjoyed ourselves. So pretty and I LOVED the Enchanted Fairy House walk.

This is a hidden gem !! Wonderful place for an easy walk/hike. The kids were very entertained by both the indoor discovery area and the walking trails as well as the play areas. Plenty of parking just by the nature center - instagrammable views and very zen ! Will definitely not be our last time there

A slice of heaven in the city! I've lived in Roswell for over a year and just recently went to CNC with my husband. I wish we hadn't put it off for so long! Staff is super friendly and the grounds are beautiful. We were lucky enough to see the monarch butterfly exhibit and it was magical! Definitely recommend to anyone who appreciates the great outdoors!

What a gem of a nature center!! The walking path is well laid out and they have extended it to include a very nice bridge overlooking the main road. Although I have lived in the area for many years, I did not come here until recently. I now recommend a visit to this nature center quite frequently because it is easily accessible to those in the area, never crowded, great value for money, and well maintained grounds. The staff here is also incredibly helpful and quick to answer any questions. You can tell they enjoy working here as much as you'll enjoy your visit here.

Tremendous nature center dedicated to preserving wildlife and educating folks here in Roswell. They have a Discovery center with lots of child friendly activities. The main feature is a trading station where kids can do things get points and earn shells and other nature items. Butterflies and turtles and toads are on display. Significantly the aviaries feature raptors. Beautiful. They rehab 800 and more per year. Staff are friendly and informed. Great place!

I have been wanting to go to this nature center since moving to the area. Boy was I disappointed. I attended their Christmas BazAr on a raining Saturday morning. After walking through the market and feeling unwelcome, I decided to walk the trails. That was a mistake, the smell, the sad animal exhibits, the smell. It was throughly depressing and I left within the hour of arriving.

Our first time in the Center in a long time - we came to participate in the 5K Water Drop Dash and fundraiser. What a wonderful organization and great group of volunteers. The race itself was very hilly, very. But was fun and the Center looked great.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a gorgeous protected park area with several trails surrounding a lake and wilderness enclosure. We visited over the summer specifically to see their butterfly enclosure, and we were not disappointed. Be forewarned that, if you are a couple like us pushing 30, one might describe the other participants as nearly two decades younger than yourself. Our friends described the audience as wholesome since, in addition to the butterflies, you'll see some attentive, adorable young toddlers doing their best to keep still and watch their winged friends in flight. The staff will hand you a "nectar stick" which, when held dutifully still, may attract a few butterflies for some close-up photos. Since the butterfly encounter took only about 10-15 minutes, we decided to walk around the nature center with the map the staff gave us at the front desk. The route we went on featured owls, eagles, and other birds of prey. It was amazing to see these birds so close, and the path itself was really well planned out. Chattahoochee Nature Center runs summer camps for children, so if your little ones enjoy the outdoors, this might be a viable choice for locals.

Love the facility and all they offer to the public. A little piece of natural wonders in the middle of a metropolitan environment. Nature lovers will adore this place!

This is a beautiful facility. The river walk is beautiful and well maintained. It is a great place to take the kids for a walk as long as they understand stay to the right. The staff truly want you to have a wonderful experience and make suggestions on what to do for you to have an amazing visit.

We have had a CNC Membership for three years now, ever since our oldest turned 3 years old. CNC is such a great place for people of all ages. I remember taking my baby there and watching her enjoy looking around and taking in "nature". As she got older and started walking, we enjoyed the trails around the center. She loves all things animals and her favorite part is checking out the "birds". My son loves walking over to the platform and watching the turtles swim over to us...we used to try to feed them our snacks, but have cut that out of the routine as he has learned that turtles should not be eating people food, but I think that the turtles understand if there are humans on the dock then food will follow, so they always swim up there. CNC has great event and activities for families...we haven't even scratched the surface of all they have to offer. This is a membership we are sure to renew annually until ... who knows!?! General Admission Tickets are $10 for adults and $6/7 for kids, ages 2 and under are free. There is ample parking in their private lot. Just watch out for camps and kids. We have the Family Plus Membership $150: Membership for 2 named adults & up to 4 children (our kids can bring friends), 4 guest passes ($40 value), Bring a FREE guest on each visit, 4 festival tickets (Butterfly Festival & Halloween Hikes only), Advanced registration for award-winning Camp Kingfisher. It's definitely worth it for us...as we started from the Individual when my oldest was a baby (3) and moved up from there....

I think it was worth the entry price , and going on the short hikes that it offered. The highlight is definitely the 'rangers' that run the place. We met one that took the time to explain the story of the falcon that was perched on her hand. Told us how the falcon come to the residence, its behaviors, and saw it cough up a pellet. Now.. what's a pellet? Well, you gonna have to go ask some of the rangers to explain it. Its pretty cool. The center offers multiple short hikes, and have an aviary of big birds. We saw 2 eagles, quite a few owls, and even a buzzard... The birds are HUGE. The birds are in the center because they were hurt, and are in rehab. Some can be released, while some will have to stay for a while since they cannot survive in the wild anymore. Its worth a visit. Nice to get away from the city, and wander in the nature for a few hours.

What a fantastic Nature Center, and we only saw 20% of what they offer! When we got there, knowledgeable and friendly Cheryl Rooker printed out my membership card and gave me membership materials. She told us the movie started at 3PM - in 10 min. We enjoyed the well made 20 min. movie: The Chattahoochee: Reimagine our River. We learned that those who live in Atlanta and surrounding areas get 70% of their drinking water from this river. It also has the best trout fishing. Who knew? Next was the butterfly encounter. We walked through the outdoor butterfly garden to the tented area of flowers and butterflies. Well versed and friendly employees were here, too! Joshua Hoyle gave us sticks dipped in nectar to attract the butterflies. He also told us about the proper behavior in this habitat. Inside, Tory Vornholt pointed out the different species flying about: White peacock, Malachite, Zebra longwing, Monarch, and American painted ladies. When we left the tented area, Joshua checked us for hitchhiking butterflies before we walked outside, to the beaver habitat. A short walk from the butterflies is the home of a rescued beaver who lives in the Camille Creamer Beaver Habitat. We watched the beaver swimming and also pacing at a gated area. Was he waiting for food, or trying to escape? After 2 hours, we had to be on the road again. We are looking forward to our next visit, to see the eagles, raptors, bats, and hike the trails. We might even have time to rent a canoe or try the zip line

My 7 year old and I went to Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures and did course A and B. We had an amazing time! Robert and Izzy were so kind and patient with my anxious little one. He was nervous at first but once he got the hang of it, we ran through both courses in a couple of hours. It was great seeing him gain confidence with every obstacle and zipline.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon to see a small art exhibit. We had been once before, several years ago. Parking seemed okay when we went (plenty of spaces) but I'd read about the possibility of the lot filling up and having to park on the adjoining street. Maybe that was pre-COVID (?). Overall, this place was okay. After checking out the art, we toured the 'raptors' area - hawks, vultures, bald eagles, etc. in large enclosures. There were some other animal-exhibits as well. There were some 'nature trails' around a small pond, and apparently some zip-line area (which we did not check out). If you have elementary school-aged kids, they may find some of this interesting. Overall, it seemed a bit 'tired'; maybe it was livelier last year. Certain demographics (i.e., with kids) may find this much more interesting. I think we brought our daughter here when she was around 11 to check out the butterfly garden (which they don't have currently, anymore). YMMV.

Family outing review This place is great! When the indoor part is open, the bottom floor offers a lot of educational tools for kids. They also do a "trading" event where kids can trade in rocks and cool things they found in nature and get points. They can redeem the points for things like fossils and gemstones. They can also get points for keeping a reading log. When we went last, they had a scavenger hunt setup which was really fun for the whole family. They we walked on trails and just had a great time enjoying the outdoors. They also have birds that they have rescued to look at as well.

It was my friends wedding and everything was awesome everyone was kind, courteous, and so very pleasant.

"I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." -Vincent Van Gogh I gravitate to oceans, rivers and streams every chance I get, but I am new to the canoe and the feeling of being on the water. The Earth Day Canoe Trip at the CNC has been on my list since last year when the trip was canceled due to weather. But this year (4/22/17), the weather could not have been more perfect for a 2.5 hour paddle down the river, followed by a picnic by the campfire with marshmallows and stargazing. We had a group of 12, two nice guides, and most of the people were experienced. Considering my muscle tone is questionable and my friend who sat in the back of the canoe steered us in circles at times, I am hooked. I mean, we only got stuck on a sand dune three times and the branches we ran into didn't scratch that badly. Again, I say! Let's do it again. As the water surrounded us and the sun began to set, I felt at peace and far removed from the city. And while the sky was too cloudy to see much later that night, I know that I saw two twinkling stars. Stop by the CNC and stay a while.

How it works: You pay an admission fee ($10 per person) at the Nature Center and then will have access to the trails -- bc there are no other access points. There will be a gate code so that you can enter the wetlands area that's across the street. Sooo if you're just wanting to walk then you can just do the boardwalk outside of the Center -- you will see what I mean when you get to the area. There are bike lanes so biking is another option. It was a good place to mosey around and see some animals; our moseying took 2 hours. There were plenty of families and children around. We even saw a group of girl scouts identifying plants and animals. The hike itself was not strenuous at all. There were multiple trails, and altogether it was about a 2 mile hike that was thru the woods, by a lake, and near the animal area. The downstairs area of the Nature Center had some really cool animals on one side and various learning stations on the other: rocks & minerals, plants, and finally animal & insects. In addition to these touch and feel areas, there was a play area with stuff animals and things for coloring. There was also a small theater that showed two short movies at various timeslots; the schedule is posted at the entrance. Though it was a fun place to browse and take a walk, I don't think I would come back since admissions were $10. Useless ish info: If you're venue hunting for a wedding spot, the lakeside pavilion has some good ratings on The Knot's Website.

Went here June 2021 to the Roswell location. They have several locations. Ticket for the zipline was $60 and then an additional $15 to the nature center. Easy to locate. Ample, free parking. Clean visitor center with a nice display of things to buy from gemstones, local honey, snacks, books, art to clothing. Beautiful location. They had a butterfly expo going on the day I visited. There's an Aviary that held eagles. There was an area that had Owls. Unfortunately wasn't able to explore much. The zipline experience was nice but short. Compared to the zipline experience at Tree top that I had went to prior this could've been better for the price paid. I did like the fact that the workers went with you thru the course and assisted you with the zipline attachments so you didn't have to worry about error. And helmets were provided. Brief demonstration was given too. They do take photos for you that will be sent to your email after the excursion and that service was free. There were a few aerial obstacles and about 6 ziplines. They said the location at Banning Mills had the longest zipline (1500 ft) within the Screaming Eagles franchise. The time it took to complete the course was definitely less than 90 mins. It was a good experience overall. I was just slightly disappointed that it ended so quickly. There were 2 ziplines that were really fun and fast!

Had a friend buy a season pass here, and was given a couple of free tickets to go explore when my family was in town. I had no idea that this place existed. Well, not that it existed so much as how extensive its existence really is. They have spaces for birthday parties and weddings and anything else you may need a rental space for... and each of them is so picturesque that I can't imagine a bad photo being taken anywhere. This is also a sanctuary for some larger birds, and a beaver, who have been surrendered or otherwise cannot make it on their own in the wild due to injuries. Owls, turkey vultures, bald eagle? You name it, there isn't a bad seat in a house to see these amazing birds up close. On top of that is the trails that lead you up, down, and around the Chattahoochee River area. You can see an old Civil War gravesite, and old homestead, the river and its surrounding wetlands. Pick a direction and go. Every sight is beautiful and every trail is pretty well marked. The best bathroom is the one in the visitor center, but there are a few more out and about. Just make sure you get a map from the desk before you go, it'll be much easier to find your way about as you explore. This is a great full day or half day or even an hour or two activity, depending on what you want to accomplish.

Helpful and knowledgeable staff. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The gift shop area is cute too.

I stopped by to see what this place was about. Being one of the colder days of the month, I didn't feel like I wanted to spend $10 per person to walk around. I'd like to return in the summer when it's warmer and experience the walking paths. COVID stuff: Visited February 2021. We walked into the visitor center and used the restroom. Staff wore a mask. Signs were posted that the facility requires masks to be worn at all times.

I decided to visit the nature center for their butterfly festival. Their parking lot was full so we parked on the street near by and walked up. They did have shuttles that ran as well. There were plenty of volunteers to direct the way inside. I thought it was strange that they charged tax on the entry fee. Inside we immediately visited the butterfly release. It was beautiful. The vendors were few but they had an interesting selection. We went to the theater and learned so much about the journey of the monarch butterflies! The butterfly encounter was also really amazing. The guides were extremely knowledgeable! They also have some great local wildlife conservatories as well! All of the animals were so cute! I feel like I learned so much during this visit!

Relaxing place. Many special events for all ages. There's always something happening year round. Concerts to camps for kids. Check it out.

Love this place. Always something to explore with the changing seasons and their naturalists are fantastic.

Surprisingly well run for a small garden. Had animals and garden. Nice way to spend a few hours. Also nice alternative to Atlanta Botanical.

My child went here for a field trip and I got to chaperone. This was an experience. I'm not sure if it was the school or the the district who Put this trio together but to have 1st graders out there in January was not so fun. It was cold and our guide kind of blew threw it because of the weather. I did like the fairy houses those were all so cutee and our guide did a great job of showing the kIds different touch and smell things so that was nice. The indoor animals were great. I loved the owl it was so cute and tiny. I would revisit during the summer because my sons allergies are terrible in the spring. This would have been a better trip if the weatheR was nicer but I did have a good time and would revisit on my own time.

What a great place to spend a sunny afternoon with the fam! This sanctuary, right in the OTP burbs, is amazing! The trails are awesome to walk through with the kiddos. If your lucky you'll spot some GA wildlife. They have a Nature Center which houses animals as well as learning stations which are super cool! They also have monthly activities that are listed on their website. If you're looking for a fun family outing check them out!

My granddaughter and I had a fabulous time! She had never been there before and she got to see an owl first hand.

What a beautiful community and gorgeous nature spot! Go here! The staff here is phenomenal- they communicate, really care, and take the time to plan quality programs. You can see their passion and excitement for local nature. The facility is always well staffed, organized, engaging and clean. Lots of exhibits that encourage hands on exploring. Great trails and across from even more (river walk). Animals, plants, indoor science activities. Great for families. Super affordable. Can't wait for some of the summer programs (I'm most excited for the summer sips!)

Great experience. Will be back with more family. Definitely want to host an event at the pavilion one day!

*** CANOE REVIEW *** The Chattahoochee Nature Center seems like a nice place, but we didn't get to see much of it. My wife and I signed up for the "Date Night on the River" canoe tour that is offered on Friday's from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (June 2, 2017 - August 18, 2017). THE SCENE You must register at least 2 days in advance at a cost of $30/person to the general public or $25 for CNC Members. We arrived early, around 5:15pm and decided to walk the grounds. The Discovery Center was closed, so we walked the trails instead. Along the Wildlife Walk trail we found a habitat for beavers, a butterfly house, and several enclosures for raptors such as Copper Hawk, Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Shoulder Hawks, Barn Owls, Gray-Horned Owls, Black Vultures and even Bald Eagles, which took me totally by surprise. I read in one review that the birds here can not be released back to the wild due to damaging injuries. However, I must say the aviaries (in my opinion) are inadequate in size. The Cooper Hawks, for example, were slightly agitated by my presence and flew back and forth in their aviary so quickly that you could barely count to one before they were to the other side and back. The Bald Eagle aviary was the largest, but still tiny in comparison to the size of this bird. The eagle also seemed agitated by human presence and made a weird series of sounds almost like he was talking to me. It sound nothing like I expected from such a majestic raptor, but more like a small parakeet that an awesome predator. Sound of a bald eagle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t14zqCKWCyA THE CANOEING EXPERIENCE We were told to park in the bus parking area and meet in front of the Scheduling Office. Here we met up with CNC "Naturalists", which in my mind meant they may possibly show up nude! Sorry, I'm twisted like that!!! Here is where my disappointment begins. Our team of guides were nice, but they spent probably 20 minutes discussing local radars showing bad weather moving in by 7:30... which would arrive in the middle of our canoeing trip down the river. This apparently is a bad thing and the great debate was if we should go out or not. Ultimately the guides took a "lets just walk down to the river and reassess there" sort of attitude, which I was okay with because I really wanted to have my date night on the river with my wife. We spent another 30 minutes getting geared up, walking a quarter mile to the canoe launch site and receiving instruction on how to paddle and what to do if you capsize. By the time we were getting the canoes off the racks, it began to thunder, winds picked up and we felt random drops of rain, with flashes of lightening in the distant dark clouds. Our head Naturalist said "the clouds are moving east as most storms do and we are heading west." With this justification, we began to launch our canoes out into the "HOOCH" one by one. We travelled about a half mile downstream before the guides gathered us together and said we would be turning back because the clouds were getting too ominous. He mentioned rescheduling us, but after we returned our gear, he gave no further instruction. Most of the other couples left, but myself and two other husbands asked "how do we go about rescheduling?" The tone went from talks of rescheduling to calling the office to see if they would possibly be willing to grant us a reschedule, because the guides themselves have no authority to reschedule. They further went on to say "it doesn't hurt to call and ask" and "we will let them know what happened and advocate for you." That sounded lovely, but bottom line, we hadn't got what we paid for nor were we told that IF we launch out for ANY amount of time, there is no requirement to reschedule if the weather goes bad. They advertise a 2.5 hour canoe ride, however, we experienced about a half hour: NOTES * We arrived 15 minutes earlier than our 6pm tour time. * My photo of the first canoe in our group to launch was @ 6:54pm. * By the time all the canoes were on the river it was 7:17pm. * We returned to the launch area @ 7:54pm (about 37 minutes on the water). * By the time we cleans the canoes, put them back on the rack and returned our gear it was 8:30pm. FINAL THOUGHTS Not exactly the "Date Night" we expected, but it has great potential. The brief time we were on the water was fun and definitely will test your relationship skills as a marital team. We did well, but were just happy we didn't capsize. I'm also happy to report that a week later they refunded our canoe tour fee, which was more that what I expected. I assumed they would just reschedule us on a different day, but happy to have the refund as well. We do plan to book another date night canoe tour and I will update the review once we get a chance to have the full experience. PS - The weather passed and it never rained 2017/112

After wanting to come visit for a long time we finally made it out here last weekend to check out the live butterfly exhibit (on all summer). This nature center is huge! It has a series of short looping trails butting up to the Chattahoochee and a small aquarium area inside the welcome center with an educational focus. Inside the welcome center is a small stage area for children's programs and the trading area for kids. Not far from the center is a grassy lawn and a pavilion where other programs take place. We were able to catch a live encounter with a Barred Owl. The butterfly tent is just that, a tent with flower and butterflies inside (mostly monarchs). On entry, you enter the first flap and are given a stick with nectar to attract the butterflies and instructions to be gentle when you enter. Once inside you pick a spot and stay still and the butterflies come to you! When you're ready to leave, after exiting the first flap you have to check for straggler butterflies before you exit completely. Fun! This is a really well managed nature center with lots of very well maintained trails and tons of kid-centric programs/events. When my tiny tot gets a bit older we'll most certainly consider a membership here!

Went for the zip line rope course adventure, which was enormous fun! Guides encouraging and fun, course a challenge for the adults, but 11 year old zipped right through the obstacles showing no fear of heights.

This place is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! Beautifully done exhibit on the inside that gives history and information about the Chattahoochee natural areas, there is also some adorable animals downstairs (such as the snoozy possum). Outside there are great enclosures with birds (including bald eagles) with a ton of information (plus a beaver!). Lots of plants as well, and a cool boardwalk around the Chattahoochee. I love this place, it's definitely worth going to, especially with children.

Great place to spend the day with the kids. We will be getting a membership as they offer a great nature exchange for the kids and so much all year round. There are picnic tables and you can bring in a cooler for a great picnic lunch. Definitely plan to take one of the Guided nature tours. Great learning experience. We had Spencer (female) as our guide and she was awesome. Very well spoken and full of tons of knowledge. Worth every penny!

What a lovely and well-kept Center! We brought are nearly 2yr old and he loved the entire trip, from playing with stuffed animal toys & blocks in the indoor library area to seeing some live turtles and birds in the aviary nearby. It's a large park and we didn't get a chance to hike but we will definitely be back.

We got married this past weekend at CNC! We got so many compliments on our choice of venue, the grounds are beautiful and it is just such a unique place! Andrea and Sara were fabulous to work with! We are so happy with CNC and we can't wait to visit again in the future!

Best kept secret in Sandy Springs! Check out Sunset Sips throughout summer, Harvest on the Hooch and Halloween Hikes (for kids) in October, tons of fun. Boardwalk is a great kept secret for a walk,....

I never would have thought that there would be room for a nature center this large there. It's actually quite nice. The nature center is nestled in the city of Roswell. I arrived early in the morning at about 6am to volunteer for a 10K race. It was incredibly cold! Driving through the park in the dark didn't really give me the full feel of where I was. What I did notice was that the park was well preserved. In the nature store, there were several different educational materials available for purchase as well as Eco friendly bird feeders. I spent the morning volunteering during the race. After runners finished running 6.2 miles, I handed out organic bananas and oranges as well as bagels and water provided by Whole Foods. As the sun rose, the feel of the park was much more apparent. The people who work there also lent their knowledge of the area. What I learned is that the park is home to more than 75 species of animals. It has been around for 30 years and used to have several swimming pools that were open to the public. One man who ran the race fondly recalled a time when he used to come swimming when he was a boy. (There's still one pool that I could see.) The park also has Camp Kingfisher where children learn about the natural habitat of the area. If you're not interested in the camp, you can visit the nature center for $5. If you have children, they are just $2 and if they're under 2 they're free.

I think some people's reviews are written for other things entirely...like this is in Roswell which does not touch 285 last I checked. This place is somewhat hidden, but easy to find by heading up Roswell Road from Sandy Springs, crossing the river and turning left at the first light and then following the signs. It's $8 to get in for adults, and they have memberships available for visiting multiple times. The admission area also has a small gift shop with plenty of owls. Everything at the nature center is native to the area except some invasive Japanese plant. I also had no idea beavers live in the area. Every animal in here cannot return to the wild, but they take care of them. For instance, the beaver here was found when he was just a week old and a trapper killed the rest of his family :( He seemed comfortable here, taking a nap. Then we headed to the birds of prey aviaries. There are vultures, hawks, owls, and two bald eagles! So awesome. A lot of them are incapable of flight due to past injuries so watching them hop between branches in their aviaries made me want to cheer for them. The great horned owls were my favorites. They totally look like the most judgmental owls in the universe, but then they get sleepy and look extremely happy. There are a bunch of walking trails through the nature center, as well as one across the street on a boardwalk that takes you along the river. It wasn't every interesting right now but I'm sure it's way cooler in the spring when everything is green. It was kind of overcast on the day we went too. Back inside, there is the neatest area called the trading post. You can bring in something you've found in nature, like seashells or rocks, and get points to trade for other items ranging from skulls, butterflies, etc. There's also a small aquarium type set up with information on the fish in the Chattahoochie and other birds and animals that live in the area. There's a couple owls here and some possums. Overall, if you've never been here, it's really neat to see and would be a great place to go on a day off. The walking trails aren't too long, I think if you walked them all it's only about 2 miles total. So at most I think you could spend 3 hours here and it'd be well worth it.

Prior to my spring break my best friend and I found this place on the list of things to do while in Atlanta. This was my first time doing anything close to hiking. We got up super early to hit up the trail even though we didn't have to. The nature center was about a 10-15 minute drive from our hotel in Norcross. The drive up was lovely and we even joked about the Cullen's house being up on the hilltops. It wasn't too difficult to find the Nature Center and we thought there was a parking fee. However, we weren't charged for any parking and parked in the private lot of the nature center. The entrance building was very well kept and made me feel like I was on an educational field trip. I forgot how much it was per person, but it was quite inexpensive. The lady working the front desk was so kind and helpful. She gave us the run through of where we would be starting and what to expect. Their otter was not feeling well however, so we were a little bummed about that. She even directed us to the downstairs area so we could check out the neat artifacts. We ran into a nice man who was in charge of the area in the children center. There was a chameleon they rescued and was recuperating in side a glass tank. I was fascinated with the tarantula and the trading station for kids to trade their findings in for cute knick knacks. From the children's center downstairs is a door that leads out to a wooden patio. From there you take the stairs down to the nature trail. We had definitely picked a beautiful day to go trailing. There was about 5-6 trails that were color coded on the map. Along each trail you will come across trees with paint on it to indicate which trail you are on. You don't precisely have to follow the trail but we were advised go off trail at your own risk. It wasn't any hardcore trailing/hiking but for my friends and I who are beginners it was quite an experience. We though we'd spend at least 3-4 hours out there but we finished within an hour and a half. Which gave us time to do more than we had planned that day. I would recommend this for families who want to spend some quality time together. The place is within a gated area so there are no worries if you guys get separated from one another.

Really, really beautiful place. I went here one day to check it out, as it's along my daily commute. I arrived there and the associate at the front desk was super-friendly, telling me about all the different programs they have to offer, the pricing of a daily or annual pass, and the conservational history. She made feel welcome to be there. The first time, I just went running through the trails and took some pit stops to see the plants and animals. Learned what snag was...who knew the benefits dead trees have to offer! Also, it's impossible to get lost, as there are signs everywhere. The second time I went was to run in a 10k they were hosting there. They have a nice pavillion where the runners picked up their goodie-bags and a large greenspace for people to congregate and set up tents. Great experience. Hope to be back one day to support a worthy cause.

Came with a group to work in the Unity Garden, which produces vegetables (and provides education about healthy eating) for local food banks. The staff members here are super friendly and helpful. In no time, they had our large group organized and doing different tasks in harvesting vegetables, and maintaining the garden for the next growing cycle. Location- easily located by following their website directions and signs (as well as GPS). The base buildings are very basic, and there is plenty of parking in the large lot.

My new wife and I recently visited the CNC. My last visit was over 25 years ago and it has really changed. Wonderful LEED Certified buildings house great exhibits and the walking trails even in late September were a pleasure to walk. We even bought some local honey in the gift shop, and saw the old Beaver that was around when I was a kid still alive and kicking! Great spot for a sunny afternoon.

I had a great time with my family. The place was pretty amazing and the staff were amazing. We saw the creature feature and the kids really enjoyed it. We walk the trails and saw the animals. The property is beautifully maintained. The displays in the education building were great quality. The only reason I give 4 stars and not 5 is because it's too pricey. I want to get a membership for my family but I often take other peoples kids with me and even with the membership it would be pricey to come regularly. Also when I see things that are supposed to be "community" or "non-profit" that are priced in such a manner that a low income family of 4 would not be able to enjoy it, it kind of bothers me. But if you have it to spend it's well worth the trip.

This place is such a great spot for families. They are a non profit so I really feel good about the work they do. They have more than just trails and reptiles etc.. they host special events, summer camps and my son and I just went to a beginning canoe class. The class was great. A great value.

Staff was wonderful to work with. We absolutely loved having our disgusted attend the spring break camp and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an outdoor camp.