A Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield park. Credit: Deposit Photos
Which National Parks are close to Atlanta?
In this post you’ll find a complete list of National Parks in Georgia, as well as Georgia’s National Heritage Areas, with a spotlight on those within an easy drive from Atlanta.
For info on the current status of the parks nearest to Atlanta, see the links below.
Some national parks are ALWAYS FREE, while others charge an average of $5 for entrance/parking.
Note: Every year there are several National Parks free entrance days, when the fees are waived everywhere.
Most of the 11 National Parks in Georgia are near the North Georgia Mountains and Coastal Georgia, but there are 4 national parks near Atlanta.
The closest National Parks & National Heritage Sites to Atlanta are:
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs — $5 parking fee — details here
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park — $5 parking fee — details here
- Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area — $5 parking fee — details here
- Martin Luther King National Historic Site — indoor buildings still closed, outdoor campus open and FREE to the public
The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a popular recreation and hiking spot close to Atlanta.
Arabia Mountain is just 30 miles from Perimeter Mall, 29 miles from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport, and 25 miles from Woodruff Park in downtown Atlanta.
And of course, we have the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site right here in downtown Atlanta. Did you know the MLK historic site is ALWAYS FREE?
The tomb of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King in Atlanta. Photo: Atlanta on the Cheap
Annual FREE admission days at National Parks
Come experience the national parks! On five days in 2020, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.
This includes all the National Parks near Atlanta and in Georgia.
Mark your calendar for these free-entrance days in 2025:
- January 9: National Day of Mourning for Jimmy Carter
- January 20: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 19: First day of National Park Week
- June 19: Juneteenth
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 27: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
View the National Park Service web page.
Note that only the entrance fee is waived.
Depending on what you plan to do at the park, you’ll still need to pay for things like campsites, boat launches, walking tours, etc.
Complete list of the National Parks in Georgia
There are 11 National Parks in the state of Georgia, plus three National Heritage Areas.
The National Parks in bold text are those that are closest to the Atlanta metro area. The links will click through to the corresponding National Park Service web page.
- Andersonville National Historic Site
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs (Daily park pass is $5)
- Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
- Cumberland Island National Seashore
- Fort Frederica National Monument
- Fort Pulaski National Monument
- Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Daily park pass is $5)
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site — ALWAYS FREE!
- Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Heritage Areas include:
- Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area — ALWAYS FREE
- Augusta Canal National Heritage Area
You may also be interested in:
Visit Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites…on the cheap!
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