Pond Critters Program & Hike

What happens under the silvery surface of your favorite pond, lake or river? It’s a hidden world of wonder with plenty of life we can see (fish, frogs, etc) but also plenty that’s harder to see. Learn about tiny creatures that make the whole ecosystem possible!

Preserve Educator Erin Zaballa will lead the program with two different types of activities. At 10:30 & 12:30 visitors can meet under the Learning Shed to examine and learn about various pond critters with hand magnifiers and learn signs of healthy ponds and lakes. At 11:30 & 1:30 will hike down to the lake to collect the critters and examine them as they are pulled out of the water. Participants at the collection sessions are encouraged to wear water shoes & clothes that can get wet if they wish to enter the water.

The Preserve will be open 10 am – 5 pm for hiking on your own; a fun craft & interactive educational materials are available for kids ages 3-11.

Admission is $3 per person/max $10 per family or FREE to members and includes parking & hiking.

Visitors may hike one of the Preserve’s three trails that range in length from a stroll of .25 mi to a 1.7 mi loop trail around the lake. Leashed dogs are welcome, but the trails do not accommodate strollers. Please arrive no later than 4 pm so you will have time to finish your hike before we close.

Directions: We are located off Douthit Bridge Rd, accessed only from Hwy 61 (between Cartersville & Dallas). Since our location is off the beaten path, many map programs do NOT provide accurate directions. Use the info on our Contact Us page. Or for GPS, use "Douthit Bridge Rd, Dallas, 30132", then follow signs.