Scripps News visits Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve for Georgia's State Parks Week

Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve is a hidden gem with 40,000 acres of nature. There’s so much to do, at no cost to families, and the best part about this oasis of green and granite: it’s just about 25 minutes from downtown Atlanta.

“It's a museum without walls,” said Jeff Dingler, Communications Manager for Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

“Here's the cool thing: you are minutes from the busiest airport in the world. A stone's throw from Mercedes Benz Stadium, and all those urban things, but where we're standing here, right now, it doesn't feel that way,” said Revonda Cosby, Executive Director of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

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This week is Georgia’s State Parks Week, and with nearly 10,000 state parks and heritage sites across the country, it’s a good reminder to enjoy the last moments of summer and step outside. For those in Georgia, this is a great time to check out Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, which includes Panola Mountain State Park.

“We’re into history, nature, and culture, and we think that intersection is something if, more people knew about, they’d tap into more often,” said Cosby. Her job is to make the history and culture of this area come alive, and through free programs for kids and families, there is something for everyone from experienced hikers to first-time adventurers to enjoy.

For a few bucks, families can rent kayaks from the South River Watershed Alliance, or for free, the heritage area offers guided hiking tours, junior ranger camps for kids to learn about animals and plants and, a new a junior angler camp, teaching city kids how to cast a line.

Also free, visiting the AWARE Wildlife Center, located inside the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Every weekend, the animal hospital and sanctuary hosts free programs for kids to meet and learn about the animals.

“For so many folks who come to our tours or visit with the animals, they live in the city and haven't really noticed the wild animals around them or haven't had a chance to interact with them, so it's a once in a lifetime experience for a lot of folks,” said Scott Lange, the Executive Director of the AWARE Wildlife Center.

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The crown jewel of the park is Arabia Mountain itself. It’s a mountain of solid granite covered in unique plants. “It looks so hostile, this rock can get to over 100 degrees, what could live out here? Said Dingler. “But the more time you spend out here, the more time you realize that things can live out here,” he said of the flora and fauna that call this environment home.

The mountain used to be a quarry, but it's now a place to relax and enjoy. Hikers come from all over the world to get a breath of fresh air away from the city.

“You just look out, and you don't even know there are cars, people, houses, right out there. It looks like you're in a state park in Colorado,” said hiker Nan Saleh.

The view from the top shows off the natural beauty of the forest and the stone that's been used to build the Brooklyn Bridge, West Point, the Naval Academy and monuments across the country. If you’d like more information on Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, click here.