open spaces

State Botanical Garden Of Georgia At Uga

South Milledge Avenue

The garden is an educational facility operated by the university, with more than 300 acres of themed gardens, special collections, a conservatory and over five miles of trails.

Trial Gardens At Uga

South Campus

The gardens serve as the site of a contest where annual and perennial plants battle Southeastern heat and humidity. Ranked by endurance and beauty, the best plants of the year are given the Classic City Award. The gardens are open year-round.

Ugarden

South Milledge Avenue

The UGArden offers students hands-on experience in sustainable food systems. Crops produced here are used by its partner nonprofit, Campus Kitchen, and its Georgia school outreach program: “Grow it. Know it.” UGArden offers tours that can be customized for people of different ages and interests. To plan a tour, email ugarden@uga.edu.

University Golf Course

South Milledge Avenue

With six sets of tees ranging from 4,354-7,258 yards, the par 71 Robert Trent Jones course is Golf Advisor’s overall-best college course and overall-best course in Georgia in 2022. The course is open to the public, and there are several pass and membership options available.

Firefly Trail

Athens and Winterville

Length: 39 miles planned

Difficulty: Easy

Perfect for wheelchair users, strollers and wagons, the Firefly Trail is a 14 feet-wide concrete trail planned to run from Athens to Union Point. Although a work in progress, sections have been completed in Athens, Winterville and Maxeys. The Athens stretch includes a 500 foot long bridge with an expansive view of the North Oconee River. Good to know: For information and updates on the Athens section of the trail, visit accgov.com/firefly.

LAKE TRAIL

Oconee Forest Park

Length: 1 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Want a trail you can get to via the UGA bus line? Look no further than Oconee Forest Park, nestled behind the university’s Intramural Fields. The Lake Trail loop traces the edges of Lake Herrick and is a popular place to catch the sunset.

Good to know: A parking permit is required for the Intramural Fields’ parking lot E01 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Lakeside Trail

Sandy Creek Park

Length: 7.5 miles

Difficulty: Medium

The perfect place to see birds, snakes, frogs and squirrels, Sandy Creek Park’s Lakeside Trail skirts the edge of 260-acre Lake Chapman. Along the trail, you’ll pass by the park’s beach area, boat ramps, fishing spots and picnic shelters. This trail also connects with the park’s Buckeye Trail.

Good to know: Sandy Creek Park charges an entry fee of $2 per person, except for those under 4 or over 65 years old.

Nature Trail

Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Length: 2 miles

Difficulty: Medium