| Most trails in The Gardens range from one-half mile to one and one-half miles and provide easy to moderate walking. Each trail has its own characteristics and once you've tried them all, you'll find it's hard to choose a favorite. |
| Overlook Azalea Trail |
Location: Overlook Azalea Garden - Length: 1.6 miles
Walking time: 20 - 90 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This trail is dedicated to the cultivation of azaleas, including native and introduced species. In this azalea garden, plantings are arranged in a natural amphitheater for a breathtaking and unforgettable panorama in March and April. The trail offers a beautiful Spring display of blooms in a natural woodland setting. Companion plantings offer surprising color and texture throughout the year. Japanese Maples provide fabulous Fall color and texture. Naturalized bulbs and flowering shrubs are featured on the Overlook slope. Picnic tables are available at the Overlook Pavilion. |
| Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl Trail |
Location: Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl - Length: 1.2 miles
Walking time: 30 - 90 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: Our newest trail, the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl Trail, winds through the 40-acre Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. This garden features approximately 850 native azaleas and 3,400 cultivated azaleas representing more than 100 varieties. The true beauty of this gardening masterpiece can be enjoyed during Spring when a colorful palette of flowers bursts into bloom creating a breathtaking display.Hundreds of plantings of various native horticultural specimens make this a pleasant trail to walk any time of the year. The trail includes unique water features that add interest. Mirror Pond reflects the colors of Spring and Fall, and from the arched bridge the gentle flow of water over the dam shimmers in the sunlight. The music of rushing water tells you that you're close to the scenic Valley Stream. |
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| Holly Trail |
Location: Meadowlark Gardens area (near the Pioneer Log Cabin) - Length: .8 miles
Walking time: 40 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This trail features one of the country's largest displays of holly and includes Asian, English and American species. Trail has unique yellow-berried Burford and American hollies. Camellias bloom as Winter jasmine perfumes the air, highlighting a Winter garden theme. Year-round interest is found in companion plants from Spring bulbs to Winter-blooming camellias. A gazebo and large picnic area are peaceful resting sites. Hollies provide excellent bird food and opportunities for guests to enjoy Winter bird watching. |
| Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Trail |
Location: Meadowlark Gardens area (near Pioneer Log Cabin) - Length: .6 miles
Walking time: 25 - 45 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This trail displays native plants of Georgia, including many rare, threatened or endangered species. Several habitats are represented here including a wildflower meadow, bog, coastal plain, piedmont forest and southern Appalachian forest. This is the perfect place to view many native azaleas including the plumleaf azalea which blooms in late Summer. The trail offers a gazebo, waterfall and picturesque bridge overlooking Mountain Creek Lake. |
| Laurel Springs Trail |
Location: Laurel Springs Drive - Length: .5 miles
Walking time: 45 minutes - Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Description: The Laurel Springs Trail loops through an excellent example of an Appalachian hardwood forest and a mountain laurel thicket along the slope of Pine Mountain Ridge. This rustic trail offers a moderately challenging walk in a secluded setting. Walkers follow the edge of Laurel Springs Creek to its headspring at the base of a large tulip tree. Interpretation allows a self-guided tour along the trail. The trees along the Pine Mountain Ridge were once predominantly longleaf pine. Today, along this trail you see what is primarily an oak and hickory forest. Hollis Quartzite, which is showcased in much of the original architecture at Callaway (especially the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel and the Callaway Gardens Country Store), can be found along the trail. |
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| Mountain CreeK Lake Trail |
Location: near the Mountain Creek Boat Dock - Length: 1.5 miles
Walking time: 60 - 90 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This intimate, unpaved woodland trail along the water's edge offers a glimpse of diverse flora and fauna and a great example of the interaction of water life with the community at the edge of a forest. Walkers may observe lake life including turtles, fish, ducks, herons and other water residents. Scarred tree trunks are signs of beavers. Two gazebos on the water's edge provide spots to sit and enjoy your surroundings. This trail does not loop. Doubling back offers a different view of the shallow coves. |
| Rhododendron Trail |
Location: Across from entrance to Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center - Length: .6 miles
Walking time: 40 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This trail highlights the evergreen rhododendrons near the Southern limits of their range. Companion plants include "Heath" family shrubs, which are plants adapted to shady gardens with acidic soils. Ferns, lily-of-the-valley and doghobble cover the ground. A secluded sitting area offers an opportunity to observe water birds on Hummingbird Lake. Look for Canada geese nesting on the floating island. |
| Whippoorwill Lake Trail |
Location: Whippoorwill Lake near Overlook Garden - Length: .5 miles
Walking time: 45 minutes - Difficulty: Easy
Trail Description: This woodland trail along the lake's edge affords glimpses of native wildlife. Look for wood ducks nesting near the bridge. |
| General Information |
Handicap Accessibility: Efforts continue to be made to see that the facilities at Callaway Gardens are accessible to our guests with special needs. Due to the nature of gardens, some outdoor areas such as nature trails may be difficult for wheelchair travel. Guests in wheelchairs will find, however, that they are able to experience most of Callaway's attractions. For your convenience, wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and most Callaway transportation is equipped with wheelchair lifts.
Pets: Pets must be on a leash at all times. Pets are not allowed inside any buildings or accommodations, in the Robin Lake Beach area (including picnic and parking areas) or at the Discovery Center Amphitheater during the Birds of Prey shows.
Garden Admission Rates - Call for info
Hours of Operation: 9 am - 5 pm |
| Contact, Address & Website |
Telephone: 706-663-2281 - Address:- 17800 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain Georgia 31822
Directions from Atlanta: Take I-85 South from Atlanta to I-185 and continue south to the U. S. Hwy. 27 exit. Turn left onto U. S. Hwy. 27 and drive south approximately 10 miles to Pine Mountain. Turn right onto Ga. Hwy. 354 West and proceed to Ga. Hwy. 18. Turn left into Callaway Gardens. From the south on either I-85 or I-185, exit east on Hwy. 18 to Callaway Gardens.- Callaway Gardens Website |
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Beach & Butterfly Center 
