LAST MINUTE: Skip Lunch and Hike the Murphy Candler Park Nature Trail

Built in the late 1950's by the local Kiwanis Club, Murphy Candler Park is a 135-acre park located in the Dunwoody section of northeast Atlanta that features baseball, fishing, a swimming pool and picnic tables.  Candler was a DeKalb County resident who served in both the Georgia House and  Georgia Senate and as chair of the Georgia State Railroad Commission.  He is generally noted for his reform-minded moves, especially when serving as chair of the Railroad Commission; his grandfather, C.A. Murphy, was an early settler of Atlanta.  His son, DeKalb County Commissioner Scott Candler, played a pivotal role in the creation of Stone Mountain Park.

The hike can be accessed from any parking lot, however, we will meet at the one after crossing the dam across Nancy Creek that creates the lake when coming from Ashford-Dunwoody Road.  As this small parking lot ends, a poured concrete path takes us to the first bridge, an old iron modular bridge with wooden planks.  After crossing the bridge we will turn right and continue along the lakeshore in the hopefully full sunlight.  The hike will continue over a natural wetland and immediately following the bridge over the wetland, at about 1.2 miles, the trail crosses the North Fork of Nancy Creek, which is the larger of the two forks, but it is dependent on local runoff for most of its flow.

As the trail moves into the woods at .4 miles, it becomes root-bound in areas and somewhat more rocky than the lakeshore hike. 

After crossing the Nancy Creek bridge, the trail rises easily to a low ridge about 30 feet above Murphy Candler Lake.  After this, we will be returning to your cars.  This will end the "official hike", but if people elect to go around again, we can.

The length of time for this hike will depend on the speed of the group.  We will be going at a leisurely pace, so we anticipate finishing within 1 hour and 15 minutes to about 1 hour and 30 minutes.  The total distance is 2 miles.

Take 1-285 to Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Exit 29. If you are traveling east on I-285, turn right at the first light. If you are traveling west on I-285, turn left at the first light. Travel south on Ashford-Dunwoody Road for .9 miles and turn left on W. Nancy Creek Drive. This will be past the Montgomery School on your left but before you get to Marist School on your right. Travel .6 miles to the entrance to the park after the lake...on your left. Parking is very limited at the hike entrance we will be taking but there is parking by the baseball fields and you can then walk across the street. Just plan ahead. Allow plenty of time for parking.

Dogs are allowed on this hike. Please sure to keep them on a lease and pick up after them if they leave any presents along the way. Also, have water available for them. Website: www.georgiatrails.com/gt/Murphy_Candler_Park_Nature_Trail There are no restrooms at the hike entrance. There might be some by the baseball fields however they might be locked unless there is a game going on.