There are lots of opportunities to learn about and experience nature in metro Atlanta and beyond. Here are some places to go for active recreation or quiet reflection.

Appalachian Trail. The southern terminus of the 2,150-mile Appalachian Trail is Springer Mountain, a rugged eight-mile hike from Amicalola Falls State Park, near Dawsonville. The trail also crosses paved roads in several places in Georgia. The state park is open

7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville. 706-265-8888, www.appalachiantrail.org

Atlanta Botanical Garden. Wander through the Fuqua Conservatory, Fuqua Orchid Center, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and Storza Woods, one of Atlanta's few remaining hardwood forests. The Conservatory has a collection of carnivorous plants, plus poison-dart frogs, birds and geckos. There's also the whimsical Children's Garden, which has a caterpillar maze, a soggy bog and bullfrog pond, and a three-story treehouse between two huge oak trees. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Extended hours April-September:

9 a.m.-7 p.m. $10; $7 senior citizens; $5 students and ages 3 and older. 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E. 404-876-5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center. Historical farm buildings and guided trail walks over 48 forested acres. Grounds open

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Visitors center open 11 a.m.4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free. 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Alpharetta. 770-360-8844.

Barnsley Gardens. A 16-acre historic garden from the 19th century, featuring boxwoods and a rose garden. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. $10; $8 senior citizens; $5 under 12. 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. 770-773-7480, www.barnsleyinn.com

Cagle's Dairy Farm. Guided tours that include a hayride and a herding demonstration by border collies. Tour hours vary; call for reservations. $5 per person; children under 1 free. 362 Stringer Road, near Canton. 770-704-5713, www.caglesdairy.com

Callaway. Set on 14,000 acres of woodland; attractions include John A. Sibley Horticultural Center, Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden, a circa 1800 log cabin and miles of walking and bike trails. The Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center features daily birds-of-prey demonstrations. Also, tennis, golf and fishing. Robin's Lake beach activities include paddleboats, miniature golf and Florida State University's "Flying High" circus performers. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $13 adults; $6.50 ages 6-12; under 6 free. I-85 south to I-185 south, exit on U.S. 27 south, through Pine Mountain, west on Ga. 354 to Ga. 18. 70 miles south of downtown Atlanta. 1-800-225-5292, www.callawaygardens.com

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. This 6,400-acre area boasts more than 19 lakes open for public fishing, nature trails, a shooting range and a visitors center that tells the history of wildlife management in Georgia. Also open for hunting from fall to spring; hunters should check regulations for special guidelines. Grounds open dawn to dusk; visitors center open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Shooting range open 10 a.m.-sunset Mondays-Saturdays. The center is on Ga. 11, 3 miles south of Mansfield. 770-784-3059, www.gawildlife.com(link to the Wildlife Resources Division).

Chattahoochee Nature Center. Nature trails and a boardwalk through 100 acres of woodlands and wetlands. Also aviaries, a half-mile river boardwalk and a Discovery Center especially for children ages 2-11 with snakes and birds of prey. In summer there are guided, two-hour canoe trips, overnight group camp-outs and day-camp programs. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays June-August: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. $3; $2 children and senior citizens. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, www.chattnaturecenter.com

Chattahoochee River and Buford Fish Hatchery. From early March to mid-September, the Department of Natural Resources stocks more than 1 million fish in North Georgia streams and rivers for trout fishing. Anglers can find good fishing along the Chattahoochee near Buford Dam or Morgan Falls Dam. Stop by the Buford Trout Hatchery to see how trout are raised. Hatchery is open 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Free. 3204 Trout Place Road, Cumming (off Ga. 20, through Chattahoochee River Club subdivision). 770-781-6888.

Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area. More than 50 miles of trails divided into 16 land units that stretch from U.S. 41 on the south to Buford Dam at Lake Lanier. Year-round fishing with Georgia fishing license and trout stamp. Open daily dawn to dark. Parking permit: $2 per car. Annual parking decal: $25. 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Atlanta. 770-399-8070, www.nps.gov/chat

Dauset Trails Nature Center. Private 1,100-acre wildlife center with live mammals, reptiles and birds of prey. Also a barnyard exhibit, woodland trails and picnicking. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Extended summer hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-7 p.m. Free; donations accepted. 360 Mount Vernon Road, Jackson, through High Falls State Park. 770-775-6798, www.dausettrails.com

Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. A DeKalb County park that preserves a granite outcrop and includes 570 acres of wetlands, a forest and a lake. 7 a.m.-dusk. Free. 3850 Klondike Road, Lithonia. 770-484-3060, www.arabiaalliance.org

Elachee Nature Science Center. The center, in the 1,300-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve, includes 12 miles of hiking trails through pine forests, streams and wetlands. Grounds open 8 a.m. to dusk. Nature center open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Admission to nature center $3; $1.50 ages 2-12. No charge to use trails. 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976, www.elachee.org

Fernbank Science Center. Outdoor area includes a 65-acre old-growth forest with paved, shaded walking trails, a composting demonstration site, and gardens, lawns, ponds and streams. Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays; 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. Free admission, except for planetarium. 156 Heaton Park Drive N.E., Atlanta. 404-378-4311, fsc.fernbank.edu

Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden. Periodic plant sales and lectures on flora and fauna. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Free. 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur. 404-244-5001.

Kangaroo Conservation Center. Billed as "Home to the largest collection of kangaroos outside Australia." Two-hour educational tours through an 87-acre wildlife sanctuary show care and feeding of kangaroos. For ages 8 and older. Tours Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; call for times. $24.95; $19.95 ages 8-18. 222 Bailey-Waters Road, Dawsonville. Reservations required: 706-265-6100, www.kangaroocenter.com

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. 16 miles of walking trails over 3,000 acres of park grounds. Expanded visitor center with Civil War displays and a film. 8:30 a.m.5 p.m. daily; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends during daylight-saving time. Main gate open dawn to dusk. Free. Old U.S. 41 and Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw. 770-427-4686, www.nps.gov/kemo

Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Attractions open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; vespers, or evening prayer, 5:35 p.m. daily; free. 2625 Ga. 212 S.W., Conyers; 770-483-8705, www.trappist.net

Outdoor Activity Center. A 26-acre forest three miles southwest of downtown Atlanta. Museum display area, live animal display area, natural science research library and nature shop. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. $4.50. 1442 Richland Road S.W. 404-752-5385.

Piedmont Park. Atlanta's oldest city park houses a visitor center and numerous festivals. Piedmont Avenue from 10th to 14th streets. 404-875-7275.

Piedmont Park Conservancy Visitor Center. Formerly known as the Boat House, the renovated visitor center is an educational facility offering a wall mural by Ralph Gilbert titled "Day in the Life of Piedmont Park." 10 a.m.4 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. Free. Also tours of the park, 11 a.m. Saturdays, April-October. Free. Piedmont Park at 12th Street entrance. Reservations: 404-875-7275, www.piedmontpark.org

Silver Comet Trail. The rails-to-trails project, 38 miles and growing, runs through areas of Cobb, Paulding and Polk counties. Fairly level, paved trail includes an 800-foot-long tunnel and vistas galore. Trail is accessible to the disabled and is open to all nonmotorized uses: skaters, bicyclists, walkers, joggers, baby strollers. Dawn to dusk daily. Free. 404-875-7284, silvercomet.tripod.com

Stone Mountain Park. The world's largest mass of exposed granite is the centerpiece of a 3,200-acre wooded park. Riverboat, swimming lake with four slides, paddle boats and wooded trails in a natural habitat for native animals. Open 6 a.m.-midnight daily; attractions 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; extended hours in summer. 12-month parking permit $30; daily permit $7; attractions passes $17-$23. Stone Mountain Park exit off U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5600, www.stonemountainpark.com

Vines Botanical Gardens. The 25-acre gardens feature statuary, a lake, walking trails and a manor house restaurant. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $5; $4 senior citizens and ages 5-12. 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville. 770-466-7532, www.vinesbotanicalgardens.com

Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary. Guided tours of the nonprofit 50-acre facility as well as wildlife programs. Tours May-October; call for times. $7.50 adults, $5 children 12 and under. 435 Cougar Lane, off Pleasant Gap Road, Ellijay. 706-276-2980, www.wildliferehabsanctuary.org

Yellow River Game Ranch. A 24-acre see-and-touch game ranch with wooded trails and more than 600 animals and birds. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. $7 adults; $6 children 3-11; children 2 and under free with paying adult (limit one per paying adult). U.S. 78 at the Yellow River, Lilburn. 770-972-6643, www.yellowrivergameranch.com