When it comes to planning out a vacation, you don't always have to go with the most exciting, adventurous, or expensive. Sometimes, a place that offers beautiful views and opportunities to do your favorite hobbies is exactly what you need. If you just want to spend some time relaxing by a lake, playing on a playground, or taking peaceful walks through nature, Georgia's Morgan Falls Overlook Park is potentially just the vacation you need.
This riverside location is truly diverse in its uses for visitors.
You may think it's not worth planning a vacation around a park, but the Morgan Falls Overlook will change your mind. This isn't just a place with a few benches, swings, and nice grass. Morgan Falls Overlook Park is on the northern edge of Sandy Springs, Georgia, which is a little under an hour's drive from Atlanta. Or, if you don't want to deal with the traffic yourself, there are buses that head up to Sandy Springs available for you to take.
The park is situated alongside the Bull Sluice Lake, a reservoir on the Chattahoochee created by the Morgan Falls Dam. The dam, completed in 1904, has a rich history and continues to produce electricity while also addressing environmental concerns, including controlling flooding and creating important wildlife habitats. The Chattahoochee River is a source of adventure in the Atlanta area. For example, the world's longest urban whitewater course is an exhilarating Georgia gem on this very river.
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What Morgan Falls Overlook Park Has To Offer
The Morgan Falls Overlook Park encompasses 30 acres of land, offering various forms of entertainment and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Murphs Surf Shop offers seasonal rentals for stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, and you can even find a few with tandem options if you and your friend want to ride together. Take time to enjoy the fresh air and the cool water beneath you as you soak up the sunlight. You can also take your personal kayaks and other aquatic devices onto the reservoir or the river from the ramp. Fishing is also allowed, provided you obey the rules, and you'll likely see several people near the boat ramp partaking in this activity.
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, hide underneath one of the pavilions, provided they aren't already taken. If the weather is nice, you can sit at one of the picnic benches or near the fire pits and relax. There are also porch swings offering a beautiful view of the scenery. This is a great place to sit and watch the sunset one evening.
For those with children, there is also an impressive playground. There is a full array of things for kids to do, including swings, a jungle gym, slides, climbing areas, and more. Additionally, if you have a fur-child instead of a human one, there is also a dog park where your pooch can socialize with others and get to run around. If you pack a lunch, you can easily spend the day at the Morgan Falls Overlook.
Exploring Morgan Falls Overlook And Beyond
End your day by taking the trail that loops around the park. According to AllTrails, it's a 0.8-mile hike and takes about 20 minutes to complete. It's an easy route, though it's not paved and there are a few stairs. The path takes you through the woods. It's a great way to stretch your legs and get a bit of solitude if the noises of the park are too much for you.
While you could just make a vacation out of visiting this park, you certainly don't have to. There is plenty more to do in the area to keep you entertained and make for a busy and fulfilling vacation. If you haven't had enough of this beautiful river, but want to explore more than just Morgan Falls Overlook Park, you can visit the nearby serene bamboo forest that looks like another country. It is inside the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, less than a 25-minute drive away. You can easily visit both in a day if you wish.
For those who just want more interesting and unique trails, traveling closer to the city is also an option. Hidden in Atlanta's bustle, there is an enchanting park in a forest with a waterfall at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve. The walk features bits of history and offers plenty of chances to spot wild animals on an under-2-mile easy round trip.
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Read the original article on Islands.
