The Elachee Nature Science Center is North Georgia’s premier nature center. The center consists of a woodland refuge and an interactive museum that will excite and educate visitors of all ages. Enjoy hiking? Then make sure you check out the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve which is laced with 13 miles of nature trails.
The main Visitor Center off Atlanta Highway includes a museum complex, administrative building, outdoor classrooms, pavilions, native gardens, butterfly garden, rain garden, compost demonstration site, and access to hiking trails. The Dunlap/Armstrong Museum Building houses interactive discovery areas investigating astronomy, native wildlife, and local archaeological history; a live animal display; educational classrooms and a Nature Shop. In addition to hosting public museum visitors, these areas are used for educational programs for school students, scouts, and the public; children’s day camps; children’s birthday parties; community events; and Elachee fundraisers. When not being used for Elachee programming, the facilities are also available as rental spaces for weddings, receptions and meetings.
The Chicopee Woods Aquatic Studies Center and Chicopee Lake are situated across the Preserve and directly accessed from Calvary Church Road. The Aquatic Studies Center is several miles from the Nature Center, requiring a 2.5 mile hike through the preserve or a 10 minute car ride around the perimeter of the preserve. This site is home to Chicopee Lake, a lake boardwalk, and covered pavilion. Used for pond and wetland studies, this area is also a favorite site for birders.
Tumbling Waters, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Clayton, GA, is a 40-acre site adjacent to The Chattahoochee National Forest. Home to the largest documented Hemlock tree in the state and a 19th century cabin listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this venue offers a unique setting for a variety of distinctive and individually designed plant, animal and water programs.
When not in use for our educational programming, our facilities are available to rent for weddings, receptions, business meetings, retreats and family events.
Membership Advantages
- Benefits for a year including free regular admission to Elachee.
- Member’s 10% discount in the Nature Shop.
- Free or discounted admission to over 100 other Nature Centers throughout the United States and Canada participating in the Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) Reciprocal Free Admission program.
- Newsletter and other publications listing upcoming programs, Elachee membership cards, and invitations to member events.
- Free or discounted admission to selected public programs. Check our current calendar of events for pricing.
Pricing
Individual Membership: $35
Family Membership: $55
Center Admission
Adults: $5
Children 2-12: $3
Under age 2: Free
Members: Free
Hours
Center: Monday – Saturday, 10am- 5pm
Hiking Trails: 8am – Dusk
Fee: Free
Dogs must be leashed and not permitted on Monday – Friday 9am-3pm.
Elachee Nature Science Center
2125 Elachee Drive
Gainesville, GA 30504
770.535.1976
www.elachee.org