From Georgia’s mountain summits to sandy beaches, we love hanging out in our ENO hammocks. Our list of our favorite trails for a mid-hike chill in an ENO near Atlanta.
Our ENO hammocks top our lists of our favorite outdoor gear. (Need one? We stock them in our Trailful Outdoor Co. shop!) From the towering mountain summits on the Appalachian Trail to the sandy beaches of Cumberland Island, there’s no better way to kick back and relax, on or off the trail. They travel with us pretty much everywhere, and are a staple in our backpacks. And setting up an ENO is a breeze. Find two sturdy trees and a gorgeous view, and you’ll be relaxing, ENO style, in minutes.
Our favorite spots to hammock near Atlanta
While a hammock can turn just about anywhere into a relaxation-filled paradise, here’s a few of our absolute favorite spots to hang an ENO in the metro Atlanta area:
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek Red Trail
Sweetwater Creek State Park is one of our all-time favorite hiking spots near Atlanta. The park’s rugged Georgia beauty makes it easy to forget you’re close to the city.
With over 9 miles of trails at the park, there’s plenty of places to string up an ENO and relax. Our favorite spots are along the Sweetwater Creek Red Trail, near the banks of the creek; they offer great views of the creek’s waterfalls and whitewater. We particularly love to hang our ENOs on the wooded island just before the mill ruins: it’s a quiet, perfect spot to catch gorgeous creek views and chill.
SWEETWATER CREEK TRAIL INFO & DIRECTIONS
Chattahoochee River
East Palisades Trail
The East Palisades Trail has long been one of our favorite trails in the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. It’s a strikingly beautiful stretch of park with rushing, whitewater rapids, a bamboo grove and several towering rock outcrops offering gorgeous views of the river.
One of our favorite areas to hammock is on the fringes of the bamboo forest, along the banks of the river. The rush of the water and the quiet knocking of the bamboo in the breeze creates the perfect zen-like atmosphere for relaxing and unwinding.
EAST PALISADES TRAIL INFO & DIRECTIONS
Stone Mountain Park
Stone Mountain Lake on the Cherokee Trail
One of Atlanta’s most popular landmarks, Stone Mountain, offers a surprising number of tranquil spots to hang an ENO and relax.
The park’s Cherokee Trail explores the lower elevations of Atlanta’s iconic, domed mountain, exploring forests, rocky outcrops and lakes. The trail offers varied terrain and plenty of opportunities to find the perfect ENO haven. We love to hammock on the shores of Venable Lake, taking in the reflective views of the mountain in the glassy waters. There are some great spots, too, in the shady, fern-filled forest along Stone Mountain’s northern base.
STONE MOUNTAIN CHEROKEE TRAIL INFO & DIRECTIONS
Lake Allatoona
Pine Mountain Trail near Cartersville
The Pine Mountain Trail, just north of Atlanta, offers ample North Georgia beauty without the North Georgia drive.
The trail delivers a workout-worthy climb through rocky pine forest, switching back to sweeping views of Lake Allatoona at the mountain’s summit. Gnarled pine trees grow between the scattered boulders and rocky outcrops at the peak, and offer a great place to string an ENO and enjoy the mountain breezes and amazing view. Views from the Pine Mountain summit stretch 180 degrees and include Allatoona Lake, Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain and the Atlanta skyline on the horizon.
PINE MOUNTAIN TRAIL INFO & DIRECTIONS
Hammock etiquette
To be sure everyone has a great time, remember a few simple rules of etiquette:
Please don’t block the trail.
To help keep everyone safe, don’t pathways with your hammock or straps.
Please don’t block the view.
To save a great view for everyone, pick a spot that’s out of the way so others can share in the beauty.
Please protect the trees.
Improperly made straps and ropes can damage tree bark, injuring the tree. Use straps that help to minimize damage to a tree, like the ENO Atlas Suspension System. For more tips, follow these easy steps from Leave No Trace to hammock responsibly and help keep our forests healthy and strong.
And please leave no trace.
Enjoy the forest, but please help preserve Georgia’s natural beauty. Please remember to pack out everything you’ve packed in, and leave no trace.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.