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The Georgia International Horse Park, located in Conyers, is an easy outdoor escape that doesn’t require a long drive. It’s about 30 miles east of downtown Atlanta, and it offers fresh air, open spaces, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Of course, the length of your drive depends on which part of metro Atlanta you’re starting from.
The Horse Park was originally built for Olympic equestrian events, when Atlanta hosted the 1996 summer games. It has since evolved into a large, multi-use recreation area with trails, a nature preserve, an arboretum, arenas for special events, and more.
Trails and outdoor recreation
One of the biggest attractions at the Horse Park is the trail system. The park offers over 15 miles of paths that are open to hikers, runners, and even mountain bikers. The terrain varies enough to keep things interesting — some stretches are flat and shaded, while others open up into meadows or cross small creeks. The trails are well‑marked, and because the park is so spread out, it rarely feels crowded.
Trails are open from sunrise to sunset.
Keep in mind that trails may sometimes be closed to due other events occurring in the park.
While the park does not offer guided horseback rides, locals bring their own horses there to ride them on the property — so you may encounter horses while you walk on the trails.
Mountain bikers also use the trails, and etiquette dictates that they must yield to pedestrians and horseback riders.
If you’re not looking for a long hike or ride, the park has plenty of open grassy areas that work well for picnics, casual walks, or throwing a Frisbee around.
Shows and competitions
The arena at the Horse Park has an active events calendar. At various times of the year, you can find equestrian competitions that include jumping, dressage, and rodeos, as well as general horse shows.
Spectators are welcome at most events, and many are free or very low-cost.
Beyond horse‑related programming, the park also hosts dog agility trials, an annual Cherry Blossom Festival, 5K and 10K runs, obstacle races, outdoor expos, and occasional concerts.
Because the property is large and divided into multiple arenas and fields, several events can take place at once without overwhelming the space.
Note that horse racing is not yet legal in the state of Georgia, as a bill has stalled in the state legislature. This means you won’t find horse races at the Georgia International Horse Park. If you want to bet on horse races like the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, or Belmont, you can look at an online platform like Twinspires.com to see if you meet the eligibility requirements for placing bets there.
Nature preserve and arboretum
The Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, located within the Georgia International Horse Park, is a 173-acre dedicated conservation area. It’s said that over over 2,000 species of plants and animals thrive here!
It features over five miles of hiking trails, a boardwalk, an observation platform overlooking wetlands, and a canoe launch site.
You’ll be able to visit diverse habitats, including wetlands, meadow lands, and open woodlands.
During the warm months, you can visit the pollinator garden, which is part of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. You’ll be able to watch dozens of Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in action.
If you’re a birdwatcher, you can take advantage of the observation decks and the bird blind.
There is also an outdoor learning center and interactive interpretive signs along the trails, to help you enjoy your experience.
The Arboretum is a 5-acre patch of woods that is maintained by local gardeners. There are about 37 species of trees here, including the rare swamp chestnut oak.
Parking and amenities
Parking is free when you come to use the trails or visit the nature preserve.
There is also free parking for the equestrian shows that are free.
However, specific events and festivals often charge a parking fee (around $10), so check the events calendar before you go. You may end up paying for parking if you go to use the trails on an event weekend, like the Cherry Blossom Festival each March.
Restrooms are located near the main buildings.
Food is available at the Winner’s Circle Cafe & Grill, located near the arena. Check the hours on the website before you go, or pack your own snacks and water.
Why it’s worth the trip
The Georgia International Horse Park is relatively close to Atlanta, but feels like a genuine break from the city. It’s flexible, affordable, and easy to navigate, with enough variety to appeal to families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone curious about equestrian sports.
You can also swing by Olde Town Conyers to round out your day-trip experience. This quaint histroic district has restaurants, coffee shops, and shops around a walkable square that’s pleasant for a short stroll. It’s a convenient place to grab lunch or unwind after spending time outdoors.
