Milton, GA
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To provide people young and old with organized, enriching ways to experience nature, the City of Milton has created Outdoor Recreation programs for people of all ages. These activities can take place year-round, in various formats (from one-off events to weekly classes), and at an array of Milton parks and greenspaces.
If you’re interested in registering for a program – even free ones – can do so by going to miltonga.gov/Registration and clicking on the “Outdoor Recreation” tab.
Scouts, teachers, and students also can learn about outdoors with hands-on environmental education classes facilitated by the City of Milton. Request a program today by filling out the Environmental Education form found by CLICKING HERE -- and let your group discover nature in a fun and engaging way!
Still have questions? Then send them to Milton's Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Jen Young at jen.young@miltonga.gov.
The City of Milton has an Adopt-a-Trail program that lets groups, businesses, and families “adopt” trails within the City parks system. "Adoption" is an agreement to regularly inspect and clean up their assigned trails (getting some sort of recognition for doing so).
Are you, your organization, your family, or your business interested in "adopting" a Milton trail? If so, please review this agreement and then fill out and submit the application below. Every participant must also complete the volunteer waiver found HERE.
And to Adopt-a-Trail in Milton, fill out the form at the bottom of this webpage -- https://www.miltonga.gov/government/parks-rec/adopt-a-trail/.
APPLY HERE
Through an interactive program called LEAF, instructors from the City’s partners at Tree of Learning will lead children between the ages of 3 and 5 in story time, music and movement, and crafts with nature themes such as plants, animals, and the water cycle. People can come on a week-to-week basis (for $12 per class for Milton residents) rain-or-shine since there's an indoor space available at the park.
This program, which historically has taken place on Thursdays at Bell Memorial Park, is open to children ages 3 through 5.
REGISTER HERE
Milton is home to many outstanding young people in scouting with a desire, and follow-through, to positively impact our community. Many aim to become Eagle Scouts; others are pursuing Girl Scout Gold Awards. Past efforts have led to difference-making projects such as educational signage, little libraries, benches, and more at City parks.
The City has developed a program to facilitate such projects. For Scouts, this provides an easy-to-use and easy-to-comprehend process to submit their suggestions and work with Milton to follow through on them. For the City, this system funnels all needed info to the right place. And for citizens, it can help the resulting projects have a targeted and significant impact.
To learn more about the steps in a Scout project, and to fill out the required application, go to this webpage: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/scout-projects/.
APPLY HERE
Learn about nocturnal wildlife while exploring a park at night, then enjoy s’mores around a campfire! Participants – which can include children accompanied by a guardian, as well as leashed dogs – will go to the campfire site as well as walk nearby trails. And it’s free! You should wear closed-toe shoes and appropriately warm clothes, as well as carry a filled water bottle and flashlight.
Dates: TBD (the first happened November 8, 2024)
Time: After sunset
Location: TBD (the first was at Birmingham Park)
Who can participate: All welcome (dogs must be leashed)
Take a self-guided hike on Providence Park’s .75-mile natural surface Blue trail or 0.5-mile paved White trail, making stops to add trail mix ingredients to your bag along the way. No matter their age, people can enjoy a nice outdoor stroll, sweet nutritious treat, and the company of fellow nature-lovers.
Date: The last one was on May 31, 2025
Location: Providence Park (13440 Providence Park Drive)
Who participated: All ages of people welcome, as are leashed dogs
Get ready for an action-packed summer with NOC’s adventure camps! Whether you’re looking for an overnight rafting and ziplining trip, a four-day rafting and biking experience, or a paddling-focused camp filled with ziplining, kayaking, and rafting, there’s something for every young adventurer. With expert guides leading the way, campers will explore incredible outdoor destinations, build confidence, and make lasting memories. Click HERE, select Outdoor Recreation: Adventure Camp to learn more and find the perfect camp!
Dates: Ideally coming again in summer of 2026
Discover the essentials of exploring the outdoors on foot with our comprehensive Backpacking Basics course. Learn how to select and pack the right gear, plan trips, navigate on and off-trail, and set up camp like a pro. This course covers everything from campsite selection and food preparation to backcountry hygiene, safety, first aid, and trail etiquette. Whether you're new to backpacking or looking to enhance your skills, this course will prepare you for safe, confident, and enjoyable outdoor adventures.
Kids will learn about fishing tools, then get to use them by fishing in Mayfield Park. This free program is for everyone from experienced anglers to unhooked, untrained beginners. And since it’s a catch-and-release activity, participants do not need a license. Fishing equipment will be provided (though people also can bring your own). Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking the path to and from the lake; putting on sunscreen and a hat, not to mention bringing water and snacks, are also good ideas.
Future dates and times: TBD
Location: Mayfield Park Pier
Who can participate: Ages 8 to 14
REGISTER HERE
Spearheaded by the North Fulton Master Gardeners in collaboration with the City's Plant! Milton initiative, these gardening classes give attendees insights -- and opportunities to have their questions answered -- on everything from vegetables to hostas to fairy havens and more. In general, there's a new three-part series every fall and spring at Milton City Park and Preserve's Community Center. There's no cost for these in-person classes, but people are asked to register in advance to allow for proper planning.
LEARN MORE
The City of Milton has teamed up with NOC, one of the area's premiere outdoor adventure companies, to offer residents several distinct programs to explore and enjoy the Chattahoochee River (and, yes, even if the river doesn't pass through Milton). These include summer adventure camps for children, as well as occasional special offerings for adults:
Date and times: TBD
Location: Meet at City Hall or Powers Island along the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs, depending on the program
Who can participate: Depends on the program
REGISTER HERE
After a successful in-person event in late November 2024 focused on coyotes, the City evolved to bring its "Wildlife 101" classes online through a series hosted by "Ranger Jen" Young. Anyone can attend these free webinars on nature-related topics pertinent to us in Milton and beyond. (Have an episode idea? Send it to us at parksandrec@miltonga.gov).
The view recordings of past "Wildlife 101" Webinars (including on injured/orphaned animals and fish), or to see what's in the works, go to www.miltonga.gov/Wildlife101. These generally occur from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on a given weeknight.
LEARN MORE
Young nature enthusiasts can "Learn to Bird" -- specifically how to use their ears and binoculars to spot and identify local bird species by sight and sound. Participants in this fun, educational program will also leave better able to understand bird behavior and habits. Bring water, comfortable shoes, and an eagerness to explore!
Date: The last one occurred on September 13, 2025
Location: Providence Park
Who can participate: Anyone ages 7-to-12