2023 Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in Georgia

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  122 reviews

Current Resident: Honestly, Fulton County is one of Georgia's biggest counties and has flaws but overall, it's a great county. In south Fulton, provides various of opportunities and gives chances for everyone in the county. Moreover, in education they opened two new schools Global Impact Academy (which I attend) and Innovation Academy to help STEM students get chances to shine.... Read 122 reviews

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• Population 1,054,286

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: I really enjoy the scenery of White County. There are beautiful, lush mountains, lakes you can pedal boat in, an abundance of hiking trails. I also enjoy the fact that White County is 90 miles north of Atlanta, so you are not too close to the city, but you are not too far. There is a downside to White County as there is not that much to do especially for a younger crowd. This county is definitely a charm for people who are older and are ready to settle down.... Read 20 reviews

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• Population 27,886

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  Rating 4.43 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Wonderful place to raise a family - excellent schools, safe community, great parks and natural beauty. Close to both Atlanta and mountains.... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 262,155

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.11 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: We moved here from Gwinnett County in Metro Atlanta three years ago and the quality of life is much better in many ways. The county has plenty of parks and green spaces and includes Lake Lanier and the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains. The schools are the best in Georgia and the county is much safer than Atlanta. The people have also been extremely welcoming. Medical facilities, plenty of shopping and diverse restaurant options are readily available. They are in the process of building an amphitheater near the square in Cumming and there are NoFo and Cherry Street microbreweries. I'm glad we purchased when we did as home values are escalating fairly dramatically. As I no longer have to commute to Atlanta, the major drawback has been a non-factor. We love it!... Read 28 reviews

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• Population 245,754

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: So far it has been a very good experience. It is a very clean area and a very pet friendly environment. The traffic isn't horrible, but rush hour gets pretty bad. This area has all the stores you need to survive!... Read 64 reviews

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• Population 762,500

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  89 reviews

Current Resident: My favorite trait about living in Gwinnett County is its diversity. The numerous converging cultures within the region make finding a delectable meal an adventure in itself. The varying people in the area help create a secure and comforting atmosphere that never leaves me feeling out of place. Although, Gwinnett is best known for its prestigious education. Many move to Gwinnett County in search of better schooling for their children. This great migration of families has led to overpopulation in the classrooms preventing some individuals from seeking particularized assistance. While it is honorable that Gwinnett is getting recognized for their scholastic prowess, I would like to see more schools being built to sustain the number of new students moving in.... Read 89 reviews

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• Population 948,505

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful lakes. There are a lot of hiking trails and outdoor activities offered here that won't break the bank. Very close to downtown Clayton, which has beautiful and unique stores, delicious restaurants, and friendly people. There are numerous wineries around that have extremely friendly staff and amazing views! There is always something to do around here and the people here are wonderful!... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 16,731

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.53 out of 5  94 reviews

Current Resident: Moving to Dekalb county in 2005 was one of the best decisions I ever made. Just around every corner, there is a unique jewelry store, clothing boutique, specialty restaurants, museums, and or parks. I enjoy numerous outdoor festivals. Imagine you do not have to drive eight hours away to Louisiana to attend a Mardi Gras Parade. Just head to downtown Decatur in March with a heart full of joy and mouth full of cheer. Every year there are Art, Jazz, BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festivals to Tree Lighting, and everything in between. DeKalb County is very progressive and in a constant state of revitalization. There is always an eat, work, and live community construction projects, new housing areas, or various beautification projects in progress. DeKalb County is known for having some of the best public schools and universities in the state. Due to the strong sense of community and togetherness, the neighborhoods are safe and have lower crime rates than nearby counties. DeKalb County is the best!... Read 94 reviews

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• Population 758,634

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.46 out of 5  67 reviews

Current Resident: Hall county is very diverse filled with lovely, kind hearted people. I just moved here almost a year ago, and my experience here has been amazing. From the opportunities, to the people, I love it!! I just graduated high school so I'm out and about "doing my own thing" and i've stumbled across many job opportunities and college options here!! where I use to reside, there wasn't much opportunities there than there is here! which is a huge thumbs up for me!! and I enjoy living here!!... Read 67 reviews

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• Population 201,703

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  10 reviews

Current Resident: Having lived in several different counties in the state of Georgia, Bartow is by far the best. Traffic is hardly worth a mention. It is country with all the conveniences you need not too far away. People are very, very nice. Schools are very good. Services are good. Police and Fire is excellent. I wouldn't live anywhere else in the state. My past counties were Henry, Fulton, Douglas, Forsyth and Cobb.... Read 10 reviews

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• Population 107,868

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  133 reviews

Current Resident: Very nice, small, and clean area! Not to overpopulated, has a good amount of people. Does not have traffic.... Read 133 reviews

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• Population 117,828

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Catoosa County is a great spot for people who want to live near a new and booming town. Located in north Georgia, the border to Tennessee is just a walk away with Chattanooga just around the corner.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 67,579

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Oconee county provides me with a sense of security. The people are outwardly nice; although the children and teens of this county can be described as self centered. The schools provide us with excellent education, but they drill it into the kids’ minds that they have to take rigorous classes and go to the best universities. It’s overwhelming and many students fall into burnout. If you live in Oconee your and your family have money; that or you lived in the area before it blew up. I am of the lather. I may not be able to live in Oconee later in adulthood if I do not attend secondary education.... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 41,006

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.66 out of 5  85 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Paulding County for approximately 46 years. I have observed many changes in that time. It has changed from a very rural community to a busy metropolitan community of Atlanta. It has been in the top 10 fastest growing communities for many years. Most of that growth has been residential. There are several parks, for outdoor recreation, and we have the Silver Comet trail, which crosses through the entire county and through neighboring counties, and in to Alabama. The trail in paved and is excellent for walking, running and biking. There has also been a great increase in business, and educational growth. The county is a wonderful place to raise a family and is a quite diverse community.... Read 85 reviews

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• Population 165,688

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Whitfield County is a very family friend county. It has a ton of great schools you can choose from. Of course we are the carpet Capital of the world so it will never be hard to find a job. Also the commute to things here is not bad. We have easy access to bigger cities such as; Dalton and Chattanooga.... Read 1 review

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• Population 103,076

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.76 out of 5  80 reviews

Current Resident: Henry county is an amazing place with fun places to visit and explore. Henry county is an mix of rural and urban. There are amazing houses in the area with great living area. With Henry county only being 30 miles away from Atlanta, there are many places to visit and shop. Henry county also has the Atlanta Motor Speedway for you to visit and explore. I've lived in henry county almost my whole life, attending elementary, middle, and high school here. The school system is great and they are super helpful and understanding. Henry County has grown a lot in the recent years and every one supports one another. Henry County is a very quiet environment to live in based on my own experience. The police system is decent with most cops being helpful and supportive but there are some that are racist and arrogant. With the community being involved in activities for kids and adults it's a fun place for everyone to enjoy. Overall Henry county is an amazing place to live and grow in with your family.... Read 80 reviews

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• Population 236,615

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.78 out of 5  93 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Douglas County for 17 years now and have enjoyed my peaceful time in this area's safe, relatively secluded suburbs. I enjoy the quiet night and the respectful tight-knit community lifestyle it offers. There is a plethora of welcoming forestry & almost every road is lined with greenery that calls you to its state parks and varying trails; while there is plenty of hiking & wildlife exploration opportunity, I would like to see more walkable community spaces & areas for the youth of the County to relax out of the woods as well as get together outdoors to connect in spaces that aren't only targeted towards family gatherings. The merchandise, shopping options, and restaurant availability could be less large corporation based and as a local, I would like to see more dedicated spaces for small businesses like the ones in Downtown Douglasville. With that being said, I do largely appreciate the weekly Farmers Market and opportunities offered here to support current entrepreneurs.... Read 93 reviews

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• Population 143,520

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4.07 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: Walton county for the most part is pretty safe town. It's small, everyone knows everyone, so you can't really get away with anything. The good side of that is if you needed help, someone is always there willing to help. One thing I would like to see in this small community would be more "mom and pop" restaurants, not chain restaurants. Also, more community buildings, where people can gather and more local things can be held.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 95,453

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.56 out of 5  86 reviews

Works Here: Carroll County is not only a great place to live and raise a family, but the school system is "top-notch." Our schools are community-based, which makes the district most appealing, having a family feel to it. District leaders, school administrators, and teachers focus on creating premier learning experiences for students and encouraging them to make the most of the opportunities provided. The importance of building relationships with students and families is a core belief. The school board is supportive in providing state-of-the-art facilities, not just the school buildings themselves, but also performing arts and athletic facilities. The district has two College and Career Academies to serve the interests of high school students. Our district also has a 93% graduation rate, the second-highest in our state of all districts with 5 or more high schools. The school system is always looking for ways to improve, setting goals, and aiming higher for greater student achievement.... Read 86 reviews

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• Population 118,402

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.41 out of 5  51 reviews

Current Resident: Chatham county is a place where many different people come together and become a family. The friendships made here are ones that last a lifetime... Read 51 reviews

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• Population 294,815

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Gilmer County is a small community where it is easy for families to build their lives. There is not much to do within the county, but the bigger cities are less than an hour away. The police officers and sheriff's department make sure that residents and visitors feel safe where ever they are. The traffic is not too bad except for during the Apple Festival and during September and October. Dalton State College is also in Ellijay, providing college experience to students within the community. The public schools could improve facilities as well as inclusion of all clubs and sports. There is plenty of real estate and empty land available at a reasonable price. The county is lacking in diversity, but with all of the trails and Carter's Lake, the opportunities for healthy living are everywhere.... Read 1 review

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• Population 31,047

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 3.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Habersham is a small county in the North Georgia mountains. Offers a rural area to live in, but does have the basic commodities. They do have Walmart, home town restaurants, Cato, Dollar Tree, and even a starbucks in the ingles!... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 45,767

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Conyers! The people are what really make this a great place to raise a family. Our community offers a lot of access to things like Hartsfield International Airport, downtown Atlanta, 22 miles of walking and biking trails through beautiful scenery, restaurants, shopping, churches, and activities. There is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a farm, a home in a pool and tennis subdivision, or living on property - it is here! The International Horse Park is a great feature in town and was built for the 1996 Olympics.... Read 19 reviews

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• Population 92,983

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  Rating 3.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I have been apart of the Walker county community all of my life now. I moved here with my mom and older sister when I was just a kid. The small town I’m located in is very “small.” It’s quiet and safe. With mostly trees, open land, not many job opportunities.. this count is not a place I plan on living in forever. Although, I can see myself retiring and moving back to this quiet environment and enjoying the rest of my life.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 67,772

• County in Georgia

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  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: I have had nothing but pure niceness in this area. It gives a country vibe with a city feel. I enjoy it and plan to continue raising my daughter in this area.... Read 1 review

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• Population 29,906