- The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path that first opened in 2009. It runs nearly 16 miles through Forsyth County, from south Forsyth to Sawnee Mountain Preserve. Forsyth County: Big Creek Greenway
- Phase 4 of the Big Creek Greenway, from the Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3), is closed for boardwalk renovation. It closed in fall 2024 because the old boardwalk had worn out. Forsyth County: Big Creek Greenway (Renovation Updates)
Trailheads
Coal Mountain Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 11 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1 mi of trail (as published)
North Forsyth sports park (opened 1988) with youth ballfields, six pickleball courts, two playgrounds and a 1-mile paved walking trail; a county recycling center shares the address.
What is there: 7 youth diamond fields (1 turf), 6 pickleball courts, 2 playgrounds, 2 picnic pavilions, Turf rectangle field, Batting cages, Community building, Paved walking trail (1 mile), Restrooms, Dog park (in the County's amenity tags for this park; not listed in the page's amenity list)
Surface: Paved walking trail
Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Coal Mountain Park, checked 2026-10-19
Central Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.1 mi of trail (as published)
Flagship county park on Keith Bridge Road (opened 2001) with ballfields, eight tennis courts, a disc golf course, a 1.1-mile paved trail and an indoor recreation center.
What is there: 8 tennis courts, 5 youth diamond fields, 4 adult diamond fields, 3 picnic pavilions, 3 turf rectangle fields, Batting cages, Disc golf course, Paved walking trail (1.1 miles), Playground, Restrooms, Recreation center: 2 indoor basketball courts, cardio-weight room, indoor walking track, dance, pottery, fitness and multipurpose classrooms, community room, showers, Senior Recreation and Services facility
Surface: Paved walking trail
Fee: Recreation center daily pass $5 per person (County parks FAQ).
Hours: Park: daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Recreation center: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 2-6 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Central Park, checked 2026-10-19
Midway Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 12 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.3 mi of trail (as published)
The county's second-oldest park (1985) on Post Road west of Cumming, renovated in 2022, with youth ballfields, pickleball courts and a 1.3-mile paved loop.
What is there: 7 youth diamond fields, 6 pickleball courts, 2 turf rectangle fields, Batting cages, Community building, Nature trail (0.1 miles), Paved walking trail (1.3 miles), Picnic pavilion, Playground, Restrooms
Surface: Paved walking trail (1.3 mi) and short nature trail (0.1 mi)
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Midway Park, checked 2026-10-19
Sharon Springs Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 13 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.8 mi of trail (as published)
South Forsyth's first sports complex (1994), currently closed for a full renovation expected to finish in early 2028.
What is there: 8 tennis courts, 8 youth diamond fields, 6 pickleball courts, 3 volleyball courts, 2 turf rectangle fields, Batting cages, Community building, Paved walking trail (1.8 miles), Restrooms, Playground, Picnic pavilions
Surface: Paved walking trail
Hours: Closed for renovations.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Good to know: CLOSED: the park has been closed since Feb. 9, 2026 for a multi-year, $52.7 million renovation; anticipated completion early 2028, weather permitting. Planned: new all-inclusive playground, 1.75 miles of paved multi-loop trails, eight pickleball and eight tennis courts, three sand volleyball courts.
Source: Forsyth County: Sharon Springs Park, checked 2026-10-19
Big Creek Greenway (Forsyth County)
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 14 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 16 mi of trail (as published)
Forsyth County's long paved-and-boardwalk greenway along Big Creek, running nearly 16 miles from the Halcyon trailhead in south Forsyth north toward Sawnee Mountain Preserve.
What is there: 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path, Walking, running, biking and roller blading, Big Creek Greenway app
Surface: 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path
Hours: Trail: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dogs: Greenway rules: pets must be leashed at all times; clean up and dispose of pet waste.
Access: Fowler Park Trailhead is temporarily not ADA accessible (a portion of its boardwalk is disconnected; the trail is reached by steps).
Good to know: Phase 4 between Bethelview Trailhead (mile marker 8.5) and south of Kelly Mill Road (mile marker 10.3) has been closed since fall 2024 for a boardwalk rebuild; the County's estimated construction completion is March 2028.
Source: Forsyth County: Big Creek Greenway, checked 2026-10-19
Fowler Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 14 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.5 mi of trail (as published)
One of the county's busiest active parks, opened in 2011 on former Fowler family farmland, with courts, turf fields, a skate park, a dog park, a recreation center and a Big Creek Greenway trailhead.
What is there: 12 tennis courts, 8 pickleball courts, 6 turf rectangle fields, 5 picnic pavilions, 4 diamond fields, 2 playgrounds, 1 outdoor basketball court, Batting cages, Big Creek Greenway trailhead, Braille, Dog park, Paved walking trail (1.5 miles), Skate park, Track and field, Restrooms, Recreation center: 2 indoor basketball courts, cardio-weight room, indoor walking track, dance, fitness and multipurpose classrooms, community room, showers
Surface: Paved walking trail
Fee: Recreation center daily pass $5 per person; ages 14+ need a membership or daily pass for the gym (County parks FAQ).
Hours: Park: daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Recreation center: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 2-6 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Fowler Park, checked 2026-10-19
Ducktown Community Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 14 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 0.2 mi of trail (as published)
Small west Forsyth neighborhood park on the former Ducktown Community Club grounds, with a playground, rubberized walking loop, fitness area and sand volleyball.
What is there: Outdoor fitness equipment, Picnic pavilion, Playground, Restrooms, Rubberized walking trail (0.2-mile loop), Sand volleyball court
Surface: Rubberized walking path
Hours: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Ducktown Community Park, checked 2026-10-19
Bennett Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 15 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Forsyth County's first public park (1978), fully renovated in 2026, with youth ballfields, turf fields, basketball courts and a walking trail.
What is there: 3 youth baseball/softball fields, 2 basketball courts, 2 turf multi-use rectangle fields, Picnic pavilions, Batting cages, Community building, Playground, Walking trail
Surface: Walking trail (County amenity tag: paved trail)
Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Good to know: Fully renovated in 2026.
Source: Forsyth County: Bennett Park, checked 2026-10-19
Sawnee Mountain Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 16 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 0.9 mi of trail (as published)
Northwest Forsyth community sports park (opened 1998; not the same place as Sawnee Mountain Preserve) with ballfields, tennis and basketball courts and a short paved loop.
What is there: 8 diamond fields, 4 tennis courts, 2 outdoor basketball courts, 2 turf rectangle fields, Batting cages, Community building, Paved walking trail (0.9 miles), Playground, Picnic pavilion, Restrooms
Surface: Paved walking trail
Hours: Daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Good to know: Tennis courts closed for resurfacing beginning Sept. 14 for approximately 4-6 weeks, weather permitting.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Park, checked 2026-10-19
Lanierland Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 18 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route)
Northeast Forsyth park on the former Lanierland Music Park site (phases opened 2017 and 2023) with turf fields, a Miracle League field, tennis and pickleball courts.
What is there: 4 turf rectangle fields, 6 picnic pavilions, 2 playgrounds, 4 pickleball courts, 6 tennis courts, 4 diamond fields, Miracle League turf field, Paved walking trail, Restrooms
Surface: Paved walking trail
Hours: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Lanierland Park, checked 2026-10-19
Windermere Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 23 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 0.6 mi of trail (as published)
Neighborhood park in southeast Forsyth (opened 2004) with a dog park, playground, short nature and paved trails and a small pavilion.
What is there: Picnic pavilion, Dog park, Nature trail (0.55 miles), Paved walking trail (0.37 miles), Playground, Restrooms
Surface: Nature trail (0.55 mi) and paved walking trail (0.37 mi)
Hours: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Windermere Park, checked 2026-10-19
Eagle's Beak Park
Forsyth County Parks & Recreation
About 24 min by car from Cumming City Hall (computed route) · 1.3 mi of trail (as published)
Quiet north Forsyth park beside the Etowah River (opened 2017) with a paddle launch, nature and paved trails, open green space and a playground.
What is there: Canoe/kayak launch (Etowah River), Nature trail (1.2 miles), Paved walking trail (1.25 miles), Picnic pavilions (4), Playground, Restrooms
Surface: Nature trail (1.2 mi) and paved walking trail (1.25 mi)
Hours: March-October 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; November-February 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Dogs: County parks FAQ: leashed pets are welcome in all parks except Sawnee Mountain Preserve; clean up after your pet; pets are not allowed on playgrounds, athletic fields or spectator areas, or inside buildings (service animals excepted).
Source: Forsyth County: Eagle's Beak Park, checked 2026-10-19
Want the greenway close to home? The area matcher scores each area on its drive to the nearest trailhead.
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