- Sawnee Mountain Preserve protects over 820 acres just north of Cumming and has more than 11 miles of trails, including routes to the Indian Seats. The county says the Barker Overlook, a new hike-in viewpoint, is planned to open in 2026. Dogs are not allowed on the trails. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
- Sawnee Mountain Preserve's visitor center is at 4075 Spot Road, Cumming, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Trails are open 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. March through October and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. November through February. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
Trailheads and amenities
Sawnee Mountain Preserve
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 11 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 11 mi of trail (as published)
Forested mountain preserve just north of Cumming with over 11 miles of hiking, including routes to the Indian Seats overlook, plus a visitor center, climbing tower and zip-line programs.
What is there: Hiking trails (11 miles), Indian Seats overlook, Outdoor amphitheater, 4 picnic pavilions, Rock climbing area, Climbing tower, Zip-line, Bird observatory, Fairy Trail, Playground, Visitor center: indoor classroom, restrooms, animal exhibit, interactive exhibit, resource library, information desk, educational gardens
Surface: Natural-surface hiking trails
Hours: Trails: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Visitor Center: Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dogs: Dogs are prohibited on all trails at Sawnee Mountain Preserve.
Access: 'Wheels in the Wild': free, reservation-only use of an Action Trackchair (all-terrain mobility device) with a Trail Buddy, picked up at the Visitor Center; maximum trail distance 2.4 miles; eligibility form required.
Good to know: Barker Overlook (hike-in viewing point) is under construction, anticipated early 2027; the project site is closed to the public until complete.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve, checked 2026-10-19
A mountain with a utility named after it
- Sawnee EMC began as Forsyth County Electric Membership Corporation, incorporated July 16, 1938. It took the Sawnee name in August 1950, after the mountain near its headquarters. Sawnee EMC: History
Looking for a home near the mountain? The area matcher shows which parts of the county are closest to its trailheads and parks.
Questions
Where can I launch a boat on Lake Lanier in Forsyth County?
County lake parks include Mary Alice Park (1820 Mary Alice Park Road, Cumming), with a boat ramp, beach and pavilion, plus Charleston Park and Vann's Tavern Park. County ramp parking costs $10 a day or $60 a year. Mary Alice Park is closed Nov. 10-12, 2026 (and the evening of Nov. 9) for a Corps of Engineers deer hunt.
How many parks does Forsyth County have?
The county lists 37 parks, 58.5 miles of trails, 9 lake parks, 2 river parks, 3 campgrounds and 25 playgrounds. Its Parks & Recreation department is nationally accredited by CAPRA. Popular parks include Sawnee Mountain Preserve, Fowler Park, Central Park and the Big Creek Greenway.
Where can I hike in Forsyth County?
Sawnee Mountain Preserve, just north of Cumming, protects over 820 acres and has more than 11 miles of trails, including the route to the Indian Seats. The visitor center is at 4075 Spot Road. Dogs are not allowed on its trails. The paved Big Creek Greenway runs nearly 16 miles through the county.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve; Big Creek Greenway
Is the Big Creek Greenway open?
Most of it. The 12-foot-wide path runs nearly 16 miles from south Forsyth to Sawnee Mountain Preserve, but Phase 4, from the Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3), is closed while the boardwalk is rebuilt. Trail hours are 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. March-October and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. November-February.
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: Forsyth County Government