Dawson Forest is a large, 10,000-acre, yet little-known natural area owned by City of Atlanta, located about one hour north of the Atlanta. There are many trails, and we’re planning to walk a special section that hosts a rich native forest that blends Piedmont and Mountain species. Our path includes a small falls on a tributary stream right before joining the Etowah River. 

We’ll see a rich variety of native plants and wildflowers from dry ridge, to cove, to riparian forest habitat. This forest hosts many neo-tropical migrant songbirds whose calls ring through the forest including Hooded, Black-and-White, Yellow-throated and Northern Parula warblers, Scarlet and Summer tanagers, Oven bird and Louisiana Water Thrush. Common yellow-throat, Prairie warblers and Yellow-breasted chat can often be heard in the more open areas on our way to the trail. 

We’ll walk approximately 1.5-2 miles, with one long hill down – and back – to the river.  These trails are well known to horseback riders and can be muddy in wet weather. 

Bring a picnic lunch, or for those who wish, we have a tradition of having a late lunch at a small but fabulous Mexican cafe in Cumming, GA.

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