Explore A Little-Known Arboretum In This Small Georgia Town

When it comes to plant-filled destinations, botanical gardens tend to get all the love. We certainly understand why: they're often home to unique flowering plants, and typically have tons of colors and fascinating species on display. However, we've got to say that while we love botanical gardens in Georgia, arboretums are pretty cool, too. These are areas that focus specifically on the planting of trees and shrubs (though there are often other plants there as well). Did you know there's an official arboretum of Georgia? It's called Thompson Mills Forest in Braselton and it's a beautiful place for a stroll. Check it out:

Braselton is in Jackson County, north of Athens, and it's here that you'll find the State Arboretum of Georgia.

Thompson Mills Forest and State Arboretum is a 337-acre preserve operated by the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Amazingly, the arboretum contains over 200 of the 215 native species of trees in Georgia.

There's also a pinetum and conifer collection that has trees from all over the world, with more than 100 species present from 27 different countries.

The arboretum contains several miles of trails that are open to the public. There are plaques designating some of the different tree species you'll see as you stroll through the grounds.

You'll also see a unique granite outcrop here. These landscapes are not terribly uncommon in this region of the state, and they often make for diverse ecosystems.

Please note that dogs are not allowed at Thompson Mills Forest, so you'll need to leave Fido at home.

For more information about this arboretum in Braselton, GA, check out the Thompson Mills Forest and State Arboretum page on UGA's website.

If you're visiting Braselton and looking for another great hike, check out the Mulberry Riverwalk. It's not far from Thompson Mills and has some beautiful scenery, too. You can get more information from our friends at Alltrails.