The Cabin
The cabin was built from a magazine catalog order in the 80s and opened in the early 90s as a nature center. The prior nature center closed in 2017, and Bear Creek Nature Center opened in the same spot in 2020. We have over 45 acres to our property, and connect to the local city-managed park, Cochran Mill Park, which has over 800 acres of trails for hiking, biking, and horse riding.
We have indoor nature exhibits including live animal ambassadors. We also have an outdoor bird of prey exhibit that we hope to improve for future residents. Currently, our native Eastern Screech Owl, Owlbert Einstein, lives within the bird compound. Outside the porch we have a wrap-around porch with rocking chairs and benches. Around the cabin features native plants and native plant gardens, a composting station, rainwater recycling stations, and more.
The cabin sits beside a 1+ acre pond, that also features a boardwalk and outdoor picnic pavilion.
The Trails
Bear Creek Nature Center has one mile long trail that loops around our property. On it you can expect to see a variety of native plants, some in bloom during certain seasons, as well as some examples of exposed granite and accompanying lichen and moss habitats, as well as rare-to-see old growth forest.
The center also connects to Cochran Mill Park which is managed by the city of Chattahoochee Hills. While our admission and parking areas and fees are separate, our cabin does connect to the same trails that reach to over 800 acres.
In just a few minutes from the cabin, you can reach some of the following unique landmarks from our space:
- Easy 1/2 mile hike to large exposed granite outcrops similar to those featured near Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain, or Stone Mountain GA
- Easy 1/2 mile hike to an old mill which is now a waterfall along the creek
- Easy 1 mile hike to the main waterfall and watering hole and walking bridge at the entrance of Cochran Mill Park
- Moderate 5 minute hike to a seasonal, temporal wetland created through beaver activity
Along the way, you will get an opportunity to see a variety of native plants including striking tulip poplars, evergreen native holly plants, large river cane habitats, and rare micro-habitats in the lichen and moss-covered granite outcrops. You may see birds of all sorts that are both native and migrating through including woodpeckers, various song birds, birds of prey such as kites or bald eagles, kingfishers or great blue herons by the pond, and sandhill cranes during fall and winter migrations. Our various riparian (water-based) habitats draw a variety of reptiles and amphibians to the area including many species of turtles, snakes, lizards, and frogs. There are also evidences of mammal habitats along the trails. The mixed forests of Chattahoochee Hills have much to offer.
The Animals
Bear Creek Nature Center is home to a variety of native and exotic animal ambassadors. We partner with rescue organizations such as the Georgia Reptile Society and Georgia Herpetological Association and Rescue to find a home for fostered and rehabbed exotic reptiles and amphibians. We also work with government agencies such as the USDA and Georgia DNR to home rescued, rehabilitated, and non-releasable wild animals such as our birds of prey, and other native animals such as our freshwater turtles and snakes. We are the only facility with a native bat on public display in Georgia, and we have one of the only live bat encounters that we provide programs for in the cabin and traveling.
Because most of our animals are former rehabilitated individuals, many have unique special needs that we provide accommodations for. This also allows us to have meaningful conversations about care for wildlife, how we can get involved and advocate for these species, and also how people can learn more about them.
Our naturalists love to share information about our animals, and we happily answer questions you may have. We also may sometimes have our animals out for walks, to meet visitors, or for some playtime enrichment.
We have an “Adopt-an-Animal” sponsorship program that allows you to sponsor an animal for a year. These special gift donations can be made for yourself or gifted on someone else’s behalf. For a $30 minimum, you will receive a certificate, a picture of your animal, a thank-you note from your animal (to the gift recipient), and recognition near your animal’s enclosure. Consider adopting an animal today. To learn more about our resident animal ambassadors, view the document below:
Contact Info & Trail Maps
BEAR CREEK NATURE CENTER
There are maps available within the cabin, and our naturalists are happy to help advise you for your hiking trip. Download the center’s map, as well as the Cochran Mill Park map below.
Where Learning Meets Nature 