Outdoor Explorers
Take a hike, why don’t ya? We mean that literally! In our City in the Forest, there are so many opportunities to explore the outdoors. Come on out for these Atlanta Science Festival events, taking place March 7-21, for guided hikes and outdoor exploration!
Science Escape Room Trail at Mason Mill Park | March 7-20 Dawn to Dusk
Presented by: DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs
Solve nature challenges along the Mason Mill boardwalk in this escape room-style nature adventure! This popular outdoors “Escape Room Trail” is all new for 2026. Take a 1.5 mile walk and learn about nature while solving a series of brand new riddles.
No, you won’t be locked in a room, but you will be within the confines of the boardwalk while you solve each challenge. Read the clues, pay attention to your surroundings, and be creative. Complete all 11 Stations and you’ll solve the Escape Room Trail, have the opportunity to submit a selfie to be posted on Mason Mill and Atlanta Science Festival social media, receive a small prize at the Science Festival Expo on March 21 (a Science Y’all sticker, ALEX the Astronaut sticker or color-changing cup, while supplies last). Plus, you’ll get exclusive access to an urban wildlife video produced by Ranger Jonah.
Learn more here
Discovery Walk Decatur | March 7 10:30am
Presented by: Science ATL
For ASF2026, Science ATL is debuting a new Discovery Walk through downtown Decatur that blends science and history to show how each helps inform the other. Science is all around us—often hidden in everyday places like the streets we walk and the spaces we share. On this docent-guided, family-friendly 2–3 mile walk, you’ll explore ten intriguing stops where Decatur’s history meets the science behind it, revealing how past choices, natural systems, and human innovation shape the world we see today. Come enjoy the spring weather and discover the science hiding in plain sight.
Learn more here
Rock n’ Walk | March 7 12:00pm
Presented by: Georgia State University – Department of Geosciences, Stone Mountain Memorial Association, Georgia State University Perimeter College – Decatur
Millions of years ago, a massive magma chamber cooled below the ground just outside of what is now Atlanta, never erupting through to the surface. Today, we call it Stone Mountain. Join folks from Georgia State University Geosciences on a hike to explore this unique granite dome, learning about the rock and what makes this spot in Atlanta so special including indigenous stories and cultural connections. You’ll also be able to ‘walk’ a Giant Traveling Map of Georgia, explore rock and mineral specimens, ‘track’ dinosaurs, identify fossils like a paleontologist, and learn about famous stones quarried from Georgia in monuments and buildings across the U.S. and beyond!
Learn more here
Wildflower Walk | March 8 and 14 9:00am and 2:00pm
Presented by: Fernbank Museum
Join Fernbank rangers for a small, group walk to celebrate the beginning of spring in Fernbank Forest. You’ll learn about the different kinds of native wildflowers found both in the forest and around Atlanta.
Learn more here
12th Annual Salamander Stroll | March 8 10:00am
Presented by: The Amphibian Foundation, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve
Come on out to Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur and witness wildlife with the Research faculty and staff from Amphibian Foundation. Become ‘community scientists’ and perform an amphibian ‘bioblitz’ inventory of the preserve documenting salamanders and frogs in one of the greatest strongholds for amphibians inside of the perimeter! Everyone and their families are encouraged to attend and bring your cell phones to upload images of what we find to iNaturalist.
Learn more here
Fishing for Freshwater Friends | March 14 9:00am
Presented by: Georgia Aquarium, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Discover the underwater world of Georgia’s lakes and rivers! Georgia Aquarium and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are teaming up to introduce you to the aquatic creatures that call our waterways home. This event will allow you to discover fishing and learn how to protect these vital ecosystems. A perfect drop in event for the budding biologist!
Learn more here
Nature Navigators Arabia Mountain | March 14 10:00am
Presented by: Science ATL
It’s a special edition Nature Navigators – for ASF! We’re headed out to one of Atlanta’s most unique habitats: Arabia Mountain. A perfect place to explore the rich history and ecology that Atlanta has to offer; from the history of the quarry to the unique specimen that call the mountain home, like the iconic red elf orpine! Expect a slow saunter through the woods with stops for observation and exploration.
Learn more here
Splash into Stream Science | March 14 10:00am
Presented by: Georgia State University – Department of Geosciences, Fulton County Public Works, Project WET, Adopt-a-Stream
Examine the world of water by sampling water that reveal the health of a local stream in southwestern Atlanta. Test water quality and learn how changing environmental conditions can affect the livelihood of habitats and how that relates to human activities. Engage in laboratory and field science at different stations next to the creek, or jump in and “get your feet wet” to participate in data collection in the water!
Learn more here
Nature Journaling for a Lifetime | March 14 10:15am
Presented by: Reynolds Nature Preserve, Clayton State University
Do you want to learn how to create and use a nature journal to improve your journaling skills? Come join us at Reynolds Nature Preserve for this all-ages event, where you’ll get to make a simple nature journal and use it during an all-ages nature hike. Identify and draw plants, animals, and fungi. Stay afterwards and challenge yourself with the introductory botanical illustration workshop, taking place from 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m., or enjoy a kid-friendly hike in the woods. Join us at this event where science and art collide!
Learn more here
Discovery Walk Emory | March 14 10:30am
Presented by: Science ATL
Science is all around us, often hidden in everyday places – where we live, where we play, and where we walk. Come explore one of these spaces with our Discovery Walk of the Emory campus. Lucy, our Emory Discovery Docent, will lead you on this 2.5 mile route through campus with ten intriguing science stops. Bonus – the walk ends at the Carlos Museum and your map will get you free admission!
Learn more here
Tiny Monsters of Sibley Pond | March 14 and 15 11:00am
Presented by: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
Join the National Park Service staff for a tiny monster hunt! Discover the extraordinary biodiversity of strange, weird, and amazing creatures that live in Sibley Pond. Search through leaf litter, dig through detritus, collect critters and more! This is a hands on, get your fingers dirty field investigation. What tiny monsters will you find lurking in Sibley Pond? Do you dare discover?
Learn more here
Botanical Illustration 101 | March 14 11:30am
Presented by: Reynolds Nature Preserve, Clayton State University
Interested in learning how to perfectly draw the veins of leaves? Or maybe you love orchids and want to learn how to capture their vibrant hues? Join us at Reynolds Nature Preserve for an introductory botanical illustration workshop where you’ll learn about plant morphology and what to focus on when drawing plants! Experience the event where science and art collide!
Learn more here
Trees Atlanta Tree Trekking Challenge | March 14 1:00pm
Presented by: Trees Atlanta
Atlanta’s urban forest is the foundation for life in our city! Join Trees Atlanta as we explore the Beltline’s Westside trail and nearby parks to learn about some especially fascinating native tree species. Using the iNaturalist app, you’ll embark on a family-friendly scavenger hunt to locate our highlighted mystery 10 trees and earn prizes along the way. Come early and bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds of the Kendeda TreeHouse!
Learn more here
Georgia Native Bats & Plants (& Brews) Saturday Sunset Stroll | March 14 7:00pm
Presented by: Trees Atlanta, Georgia Bat Working Group
What’s that – a bat! Join Trees Atlanta, Georgia Bat Working Group, and Atlanta Science Festival on a sunset stroll through Trees Atlanta’s campus and the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Southwest Trail. We’ll see some of the native plants that have been incorporated Georgia native bats & check out some of the native plants and practices we can incorporate into our yards or neighborhood green spaces to help these sometimes misunderstood, mosquito-eating, sky puppies continue to survive & thrive in the City in the Forest. The Georgia Bat Working Group will have an acoustic bat detector to see if bats decide to join us. At the end of the tour, feel free to continue to stroll down the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail and enjoy one of Lee & Whites’ local breweries or restaurants.
Learn more here
Habitat Exploration At Blue Heron Nature Preserve! | March 15 10:00am
Presented by: Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Discover the incredible animals that call Blue Heron Nature Preserve home as we explore its 30-acre landscape on a guided nature hike. Along the way, you’ll get a hands-on look at unique animal coverings including shells, fur, scales, and feathers, from species that live in the area! Come join us for an adventure filled with exploration, learning, and a closer look at the wildlife around us! Please meet us on the front porch of our building.
Learn more here
Roadside Geology: Arts Center to Rhodes Hall | March 15 2:00pm and March 19 1:00pm
Presented by: Georgia Mineral Society
Tag along with two geologist-educators to see the beautiful building stones and folded natural rock layers of Midtown Atlanta, on a tour from Symphony Hall to Rhodes Hall. Dr. Bill Witherspoon, co-author of “Roadside Geology of Georgia”, teams up with highly sought guest speaker from Georgia Mineral Society (GMS), Bill Waggener, to interpret the stories that rocks tell.
Learn more here
Critter Quest: Helping Science Discover Your Backyard Critters | March 15 2:00pm
Presented by: Atlanta Urban Wildlife Working Group, Trees Atlanta, The Amphibian Foundation, Birds Georgia, Fernbank Museum, University of Georgia, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Georgia Tech, The Nature Conservancy
Ever wondered what critters live in your backyard? Interested in helping scientists know more about where those critters live? We’ve got just the event for you! At our Community Science Training event, you’ll learn about organizations studying wildlife in Atlanta and how you can help through Community Science. Join scientists as we show you the ins and outs of how we study wildlife and how you can too. These trainings will include birds, amphibians, and mammals! The first hour will showcase various community science organizations, including information on how you can get involved with their efforts to study wildlife and their habitat in and around Atlanta. The second and third hours are wildlife training activities where you go into the field with local experts to learn how to identify different groups of animals (e.g., birds, reptiles, mammals). You will be able to attend two different training activities, however please plan to arrive at either 2:45 p.m. or 3:45 p.m. in order to partake in these activities.
Learn more here
Outdoor Odyssey | March 18 10:00am and 1:00pm
Presented by: West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA)
Come explore science amongst familiar, yet new terrains! Join the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance (WAWA) and some of our partners for our outdoor and trail-tastic fair. Take a hike at our urban nature preserve on Bush Mountain to learn about forest biodiversity, plant/animal/insect identification, soil, art and crafts, and music of the outdoors.
Learn more here
