Hancock Park, a block off the Square, is the closest park to downtown Dahlonega, with an all-abilities playground and a walking loop. For a longer walk, the city’s loop around Lake Zwerner is about 3.2 miles, and Yahoola Creek Park has a 1.5-mile walking trail; both are within 1.6 miles of the Square.
This page covers the city and county parks and easy walks close to town. For waterfalls, the Appalachian Trail and mountain hikes, see outdoor things to do near Dahlonega. Distances are straight-line from the Gold Museum on the Square; facts link to the City of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County or the source named, checked on November 9, 2026.
What parks are in downtown Dahlonega?
- Hancock Park, 54 N Park St, about a two-minute walk from the Square. The city lists the Gold Mine All-Abilities Playground, the Chestatee Diving Bell, a walking loop, a public restroom and a pavilion; First Friday concerts and the May–October farmers market happen here. Open sunrise to sunset (City of Dahlonega).
- Conner Memorial Garden, 39 N Chestatee St, a city pocket park at North Chestatee and Warwick streets with pollinator plantings, benches, a lending library and a water feature (City of Dahlonega).
- Madeleine K. Anthony Park, 475 S Park St, about half a mile from the Square, with a working historic stamp mill and waterwheel and a pavilion with picnic tables and a fireplace. Open 7 a.m.–9 p.m. April through October and 8 a.m.–6 p.m. November through March (City of Dahlonega).
- City Hall Park, 465 Riley Rd, a fenced city park beside City Hall with two pavilions, two children’s play areas, swings and a paved walking loop (City of Dahlonega).
Where can you walk or hike close to downtown Dahlonega?
- Lake Zwerner, 1330 Morrison Moore Pkwy E, 1.6 miles from the Square: a loop trail around the city’s drinking-water reservoir, about 3.2 miles according to the city, with a boat ramp, dock and picnic tables (City of Dahlonega). Discover Dahlonega lists the loop as 3.3 miles with about 413 feet of climbing (Discover Dahlonega).
- Yahoola Creek Park, 1166 Captain McDonald Rd, 1.5 miles away: a 1.5-mile walking trail, pavilions, ball fields, tennis courts, two playgrounds and creekside picnic tables (Discover Dahlonega).
- Paved loops in town: City Hall Park and Hancock Park both have walking loops (City of Dahlonega).
Can you swim in Lake Zwerner?
No. Lake Zwerner is the city’s drinking-water reservoir, and the city does not allow swimming, wading or gas motors there; fishing is allowed only where and when the city says (City of Dahlonega).
Where can you paddle or fish close to town?
Wimpy Mill Picnic Area, 880 Wimpy Mill Rd, about a mile from the Square, overlooks the Yahoola Creek Reservoir and has picnic tables, benches, parking, an accessible kayak launch and a life jacket loaner station. Only non-motorized boats are allowed (City of Dahlonega). Lake Zwerner also has a boat ramp and dock.
Where can kids play in Dahlonega?
- Gold Mine All-Abilities Playground in Hancock Park: a 2,800-square-foot accessible playground with a mine-shaft climbing structure, Cloud 9 swings, animal sculptures and outdoor musical instruments (City of Dahlonega).
- City Hall Park: fenced, with two play areas and infant and child swings.
- Yahoola Creek Park: two playground areas.
- Pinetree Recreation Center & Water Park, 215 Pinetree Way: a Lumpkin County center with a double gym, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and a summer water park with slides, a lazy river and a lap pool. Phone (706) 864-8080 (Lumpkin County).
Can you bring a dog to Dahlonega’s parks?
Yes, on a leash. The City of Dahlonega lists Hancock Park, Madeleine K. Anthony Park and Conner Memorial Garden among its parks where leashed dogs are allowed (City of Dahlonega).
Is there disc golf in Dahlonega?
Yes. Yahoola Creek Park has a permanent 18-hole disc golf course, established in 2012, with holes along the park’s creeks and walking trails; the PDGA course listing says it is free to play (PDGA).
Park and trail listings
Addresses, phones and hours for each park and trail close to town. Tap an address for directions.
Hancock Park
City park a block off the Square with the Gold Mine All-Abilities Playground, the Chestatee Diving Bell, a walking loop, public restroom and pavilion; host of First Friday concerts and the May–October farmers market. Leashed dogs welcome.
Madeleine K. Anthony Park (gold stamp mill display)
City park with a working historic stamp mill and waterwheel, a pavilion with picnic tables and a fireplace; leashed dogs welcome. Parking on S Chestatee St and S Park St.
Wimpy Mill Picnic Area
City picnic area created in 2021 overlooking Yahoola Creek Reservoir, with picnic tables, benches, public parking and an accessible kayak launch.
City Hall Park
Fenced city park beside City Hall with two pavilions, two children's play areas, infant and child swings and a paved walking loop.
Pinetree Recreation Center & Water Park
Lumpkin County recreation center with a double gym, indoor and outdoor pickleball courts and a seasonal water park with slides, lazy river and lap pool.
Yahoola Creek Park Disc Golf Course
Permanent 18-hole disc golf course inside Lumpkin County's Yahoola Creek Park, established in 2012, with holes along the park's creeks and walking trails.
Yahoola Creek Park
Lumpkin County park with a 1.5-mile walking trail, pavilions, ball fields, tennis courts, two playgrounds, an 18-hole disc golf course and creekside picnic tables.
Lake Zwerner (Yahoola Creek Reservoir) Trail
City drinking-water reservoir with a loop trail around the lake (about 3.2 miles, per the city), a boat ramp and dock, picnic tables and fishing where the city allows it. No swimming, wading or gas motors.
Conner Memorial Garden
City-owned pocket park at North Chestatee and Warwick streets with ornamental and pollinator plantings, benches, a lending library and a water feature.
Dahlonega Gold Mine All-Abilities Playground
Accessible 2,800-square-foot playground in Hancock Park with a mine-shaft climbing structure, Cloud 9 swings, animal sculptures and outdoor musical instruments.
Lumpkin County Park & Community Center
Lumpkin County Parks & Recreation home base next to City Hall Park, with athletic fields, picnic pavilions and a community center with gym and rental rooms.
Listings are compiled from OpenStreetMap, the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, Discover Dahlonega and the businesses’ own websites. Walking times and miles are measured in a straight line from the Gold Museum, so the drive is longer. Hours change seasonally, so please confirm with the business before you go. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a walking trail in Dahlonega?
Yes. The loop around Lake Zwerner is about 3.2 miles according to the city, Yahoola Creek Park has a 1.5-mile walking trail, and Hancock Park and City Hall Park have shorter walking loops in town.
Where is the playground in downtown Dahlonega?
The Gold Mine All-Abilities Playground is in Hancock Park at 54 N Park St, a block off the Square. City Hall Park at 465 Riley Rd also has two fenced play areas.
Can you swim in Lake Zwerner?
No. Lake Zwerner is the city’s drinking-water reservoir, and swimming, wading and gas motors are not allowed.
Are dogs allowed in Dahlonega parks?
Leashed dogs are allowed at Hancock Park, Madeleine K. Anthony Park and Conner Memorial Garden, according to the City of Dahlonega.
Is there a water park in Dahlonega?
Yes. Lumpkin County’s Pinetree Recreation Center at 215 Pinetree Way runs a summer water park with slides, a lazy river and a lap pool.
More to plan: waterfalls, hikes and rivers near Dahlonega, gold mines and gold panning, things to do in Dahlonega and the full directory.