The Talking Rock Nature Preserve and Park includes 220 acres of natural land that provides opportunities for the quiet enjoyment of nature, environmental education, and passive recreation for no cost to the public. It was acquired by the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust) in 2012. Park planning and construction began in 2017.
The +/- 10-mile trail system has been constructed and is being used by bikers, runners, and walkers. The +/- 3-mile green trail loop, Jon’s Trail, is smooth and flowy. It’s great for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities with very gradual climbs and descents. Newbies and veteran bikers often say that it’s one of the most fun trails in North Georgia. The additional trails are similar in feel but ride a little faster and have some technical elements for cyclists with a little more experience. The Pickens and Grinning trails are considered the prettiest for hiking. There are benches and picnic tables sprinkled throughout the trail system.
The environmental restoration and enhancement of the preserve has been progressing since 2012 but has been accelerated in 2019. The environmental enhancements are currently geared towards supporting pollinators and birds. In addition to the chimney swift tower and nature-based education kiosks, there are pollinator supportive plantings, bat and butterfly houses, native tree, and shrub installations, large scale milkweed propagation, stream culvert replacement with bridges, and the removal of decades of old tires and new litter off of HWY 515. There have been several Eagle Scout and Gold Award projects completed at the preserve.