Monday Morning at Simpsonwood Park

Simpsonwood was John B.'s home park before he joined the AOC and discovered that there are many other local parks to enjoy.  Sadly for us, John moved to North Carolina months ago, but he's returning to Atlanta to visit friends and will be joining us today to show us the many "secret" trails in the park.

Simpsonwood Park is a  heavily wooded 223 scre park that was once the site of a convention center, but ultimately became the property of the county and is now preserved as a park for public use.  The park has a 3 mile loop trail that is remarkable in its beauty and its assortment of extraordinary trees.  It is virtually a hardwood forest in many places!  In all, there are around 5 miles of unpaved trails within the park. It also Simpsonwood Park is named after Ludie Simpson who donated the land to the Methodist Church. Now a Gwinnett County park, it borders the Chattahoochee River, directly across the river from the Jones Bridge unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. It has about 5 miles of unpaved trails, including an approximately 3-mile-long loop trail. Although the park land no longer belongs to the Methodist Church, its chapel remains and can be rented for events.

The trail is easy on the feet with hard packed dirt surfaces and only mild elevation changes.  It's ideal for folks who haven't hiked a great deal and who can't handle great distances or hills.  Parking is free, and a restroom facility is available next to the parking lot.  Dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on leash and their trail messes must be removed.  Remember, the AOC follows a "Leave No Trace" policy on all events. 

Parking is free in the lot to the left after you drive in . . .  or additional parking is available farther down the entrance road.  Bathrooms are available.

Coordinates:  33.986230, -84.243310

Bathrooms are available!

If the first lot is full, continue down the entrance road to additional parking.