The long ridge you see from downtown Cumming is Sawnee Mountain. The county’s preserve on it is the closest proper hike to the square.
The preserve
- Forsyth County's Sawnee Mountain Preserve, at 4075 Spot Road just north of Cumming, opened in 2005. It has more than 11 miles of hiking trails, including routes to the Indian Seats rock overlook. A visitor center was added in 2008. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
- Forsyth County gives two sizes for Sawnee Mountain Preserve. Its web page says "over 820 acres" of forested mountain terrain, while its downloadable park map gives 963 acres in total. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve page and park map PDF
- Dogs are not allowed on any trail at Sawnee Mountain Preserve. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
The Big Creek Greenway
The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path that first opened in 2009. It runs nearly 16 miles from south Forsyth County to Sawnee Mountain Preserve, with a trailhead at 4075 Spot Road. The section from Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3) is closed for renovation. (Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Big Creek Greenway, checked 2026-10-17)
Parking
- Lou Sobh Amphitheater concerts and movies: Admission and parking are free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. No tents, coolers, outside food or alcohol, glass, or smoking. Cumming City Center: Visit Us (Concerts & Entertainment)
- Cumming Farmers Market (Saturdays 8–11 AM): The market sets up in the Vision Parkway lot, on the left as you enter the City Center from Canton Hwy. Park in that lot or in the parallel spaces along Vision Parkway. Cumming City Center: Cumming Farmers Market listing
- Haunted Cruise-In (Oct. 22, 2026): Show-car parking is first-come, first-served and the road closes when it fills. Spectator parking is free in the deck and overflow lots. Cumming City Center events calendar
- Cumming Country Fair & Festival (Oct. 8–18, 2026): The fair is at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. Gate admission is $10 for ages 11 and up (10 and under free), cash or card, with ATMs on site and no re-entry. No pets, coolers or alcohol. Fair parking arrangements and fees were not found on the fair's pages. Cumming Fairgrounds: Hours & Pricing
- City of Cumming Christmas Parade (Dec. 12, 2026): In 2025 road closures started at 4:30 PM for a 5 PM parade from Forsyth Central High School to the Fairgrounds via Tribble Gap and Castleberry roads. The 2026 closure details are not yet published. Cumming Fairgrounds events calendar (2025 description text on the 2026 entry)
- Mary Alice Park (any day): Vehicles need a $10 daily pass or an annual pass on the dashboard, and the boat ramp is also $10 a day. Boat ramps may close when the park reaches capacity. The park is closed the evening of Nov. 9 and Nov. 10–12, 2026 for a USACE deer hunt. Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park
- Sawnee Mountain Preserve: The county park map shows lots at the visitor center (4075 Spot Road), at 2500 Tribble Gap Rd. (pavilions, the amphitheater and restrooms) and at 2505 Tribble Gap Rd. (a playground, two pavilions and restrooms), plus a small west-end lot by the Church and Mountainside trails marked "Limited – 10 Spaces" with no published address. Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve park map
For the Indian Seats, start from the visitor center lot at 4075 Spot Road or the 2500 Tribble Gap Road lot rather than the 10-space west-end lot. Our Indian Seats hiking guide walks through each lot.
Outdoors near Cumming
Sawnee Mountain Preserve (Indian Seats)
county nature preserve and hiking
4075 Spot Road, Cumming, GA 30040 (visitor center)
More than 11 miles of trails, including routes to the Indian Seats overlook. Visitor center open Mon–Sat 8:30 AM–5 PM; trails Mar–Oct 6 AM–9:30 PM and Nov–Feb 6 AM–7 PM. There are other trail access points at 2500 and 2505 Bettis Tribble Gap Rd. Dogs are not allowed on trails. The Barker Overlook is under construction, with completion expected in early 2027.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Sawnee Mountain Preserve, checked 2026-10-17
Big Creek Greenway (Sawnee Mountain Preserve trailhead)
paved/boardwalk greenway
4075 Spot Road, Cumming, GA 30040
A 12-ft-wide path, nearly 16 miles long, open Mar–Oct 6 AM–9:30 PM and Nov–Feb 6 AM–7 PM. Miles 8.5–10.3 (Bethelview Trailhead to south of Kelly Mill Rd.) are closed for renovation.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Big Creek Greenway, checked 2026-10-17
Mary Alice Park (Lake Lanier)
lake park with swimming beach and boat ramps
1820 Mary Alice Park Road, Cumming, GA 30041
Sand beach with a swimming area, boat ramp and courtesy dock, pavilion and picnic areas. Parking and the ramp are $10 a day each. The park closes the evening of Nov. 9 and all of Nov. 10–12, 2026 for a USACE deer hunt.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Mary Alice Park; Lake Lanier Day Use Parks, checked 2026-10-17
Bald Ridge Marina
full-service Lake Lanier marina
1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., Cumming, GA 30041
Since 1958 it has offered 600+ wet slips, a fuel dock, launch ramps and service. From Sept. 8, 2026 it is closed Tue–Wed and open Thu–Mon 9 AM–5 PM. Check the marina's news page for which days the ramp is open to the public.
Source: Bald Ridge Marina (website), checked 2026-10-17
Cumming Aquatic Center
City indoor pools and outdoor water park
201 Aquatic Circle, Cumming, GA 30040
Daily admission: under 2 free, 2–13 $8, 14–59 $9, 60+ $8. The competition pool is reserved all day Oct. 17–18, 2026 for a swim meet.
Source: Cumming Aquatic Center, checked 2026-10-17
Cumming Recreation & Parks playground
City park playground
437 Pilgrim Mill Road, Cumming, GA 30040
The playground is open to the public, but pavilion rentals are not being accepted right now. The office is open Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, phone 770-781-2030.
Source: City of Cumming Recreation and Parks, checked 2026-10-17
City Center trails and boardwalks
walking trails
Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Road, Cumming, GA 30040
Boardwalks run above the Kelly Mill Branch wetlands, and the City Center plans to link them to the Big Creek Greenway later. Pedestrians have the right of way. The speed limit is 15 mph, and Class I and II e-bikes are allowed.
Source: Cumming City Center: Green Space & Trails; Visit Us, checked 2026-10-17
Questions
Can I hike to the Indian Seats on Sawnee Mountain?
Yes. Forsyth County's Sawnee Mountain Preserve, at 4075 Spot Road, has more than 11 miles of trails, including routes to the Indian Seats rock overlook. Trails are open 6 AM–9:30 PM from March to October and 6 AM–7 PM from November to February. The visitor center is open Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM–5 PM. Dogs are not allowed on any trail.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Sawnee Mountain Preserve
How big is Sawnee Mountain Preserve?
Forsyth County gives two figures. Its preserve web page says the preserve protects "over 820 acres" of forested mountain terrain, while the county's park map lists 963 acres in total. The preserve opened in 2005. A visitor center with exhibits was added in 2008, and another 6.5 miles of trail, a playground and pavilions in 2016. A new Barker Overlook is due in early 2027.
Source: Forsyth County: Sawnee Mountain Preserve page and park map
Can I walk or bike the Big Creek Greenway from Cumming?
Yes. The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide concrete and boardwalk path that runs nearly 16 miles from south Forsyth County to a trailhead at Sawnee Mountain Preserve, 4075 Spot Road. It is open 6 AM–9:30 PM from March to October and 6 AM–7 PM from November to February. The stretch from Bethelview Trailhead (mile 8.5) to south of Kelly Mill Road (mile 10.3) is closed for renovation.
Source: Forsyth County Parks & Recreation: Big Creek Greenway
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: City of Cumming