Explore the Outdoors
The Red Hills region offers historic longleaf pines,
swaying live oaks, and an abundance of roses and camellias.
Drawn to the restorative rhythms of nature and the health benefits of sunshine and pine-scented breezes, visitors have been retreating to Thomasville since the 1800s. The city still boasts of outdoor vitality today, with canopies of live oaks, towering longleaf pines, red clay roads, and natural wonders like the Thomasville Rose Garden and the Big Oak. In Thomasville, wellness begins outdoors, and you’ll find several opportunities to experience it, whether it’s exploring local parks, strolling the grounds of Pebble Hill Plantation, or rallying with friends on the pickleball courts. Here, you’re invited to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Thomasville in Bloom
Thomasville is Georgia’s Official Rose City.
The City of Thomasville maintains a stunning variety of over 1,500 rose bushes that are in full bloom from April – July, just in time for the Annual Rose Show and Festival in April. Visitors to the Rose Garden at Cherokee Park will find charming gazebos to relax and take in the dazzling sight and sweet aroma of Thomasville’s favorite flower.
330 Covington Ave
2 miles from Downtown Thomasville
The American Camillia Trail: Pebble Hill Plantation, located about 7 miles from Downtown Thomasville, is one of 14 gardens in Georgia to be recognized as part of the American Camillia Trail. The genus Cameillia is known to have more than 250 species that are endemic to southeastern Asia. The recognized garden is featured in the grounds tour.
Walkers | Runners
A scenic one-mile paved pathway around Cherokee Lake will usher you through local wildlife. Birdsong Nature Center offers 12 miles of natural groomed paths for walkers only (no running).
All runners – both local and visitors – are welcome to join the Active Soles runners’ group at 5:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at 6:45 am on Saturdays. Walkers are invited to join at 6 pm on Thursdays.
The groups meet in front of Active Soles Running Company at 204 W Jackson St in Downtown Thomasville. 229.236.7653
Balfour Park and the City of Thomasville Dog Park
417 S Pinetree Blvd
2 miles from Downtown Thomasville
This park features a dog obstacle course and separate pens for small, medium, and large dogs, each with running water. Dog waste disposal bags are also supplied. This park also includes covered picnic pavilions, a playground, and restrooms. A complete listing of city parks can be found at HERE
Scenic City Parks
Eighteen charming parks are located throughout the city, and all are pet-friendly (with the exception of Remington Park). For a complete park listing, please visit Thomasville.org
Paradise Park
501 S Dawson St
DOWNTOWN
The nearest park to Downtown Thomasville (0.5 mile), this historic and newly renovated 18-acre park showcases walking paths that feature a Story Walk, longleaf pine trees, a playground, and covered picnic pavilions. This park was known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as “Yankee Paradise” for the popularity among wintering northerners. This park does not have restrooms.
The Ritz Amphitheater + Park
131 GEN Lloyd J. Austin III Way
DOWNTOWN
This amphitheater park features tiered grass seating space, picnic tables, public art, and restrooms.
Cherokee Park + Thomasville Rose Garden
330 Covington Ave
2 miles from Downtown Thomasville
Enjoy a 1-mile paved and lighted walking path around the lake and exercise stations; the park also features covered picnic pavilions, a playground, grills, and restrooms. The rose garden, which blooms from early spring to late fall, features a charming gazebo. Fishing and small electric motor boats are permitted.
MacIntyre Park
217 Glenwood Dr
0.7 miles from Downtown Thomasville
Gorgeous green park features a small stream, disc golf course, zip line, a playground, and covered picnic pavilions. This park does not have restrooms.
Ethel Flowers Neel Park
301 E Jackson St
DOWNTOWN
This quaint pocket park is located near the Visitor Center and is an ideal quiet resting spot featuring benches.
Cassidy Pond
1010 Cassidy Rd
2 miles from Downtown Thomasville
At Cassidy Pond, you can fish along the pier and enjoy a picnic under the sheltered picnic area. There are no restrooms, and boats and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Electricity is not available at this park.
Remington Park (athletic fields)
45 Ben Grace Dr
2 miles from Downtown Thomasville
This park hosts athletic tournaments and features picnic tables, grills, an exercise course, bike racks, playground areas, skateboarding, covered basketball areas, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. Restrooms are also available, but are usually only available for public use when events are taking place at the park. Please note that all types of animals are prohibited at Remington Park. This park is in partnership with the YMCA.
WEBSITE
You-Pick Farm
F&C Family Farm
18660 Hwy 84 Boston, Ga
10 miles from Downtown Thomasville
F&C Family Farm is right before the scenic turnoff to head into Boston at Old Highway 84. This you-pick farm features homemade ice cream and sweet treats, jams, jellies, honey and seasonal produce, a playground.
In the spring, you pick strawberries and in the fall, satsumas, a type of mandarin orange.
WEBSITE
Explore Hidden Outdoor Gems
Stroll the Grounds at Pebble Hill
Info Box
As part of the American Camellia Trail, it is home to rare and historic camellia flowers that put on a colorful show each winter estate.
Visitors can explore Pebble Hill’s main grounds and Green Arrow Tour, which offer a self-guided experience of the property’s most iconic outdoor spaces. Along the way, you’ll encounter stately gardens, carriage lanes, and historic structures that tell the story of this remarkable sporting estate. Each stop invites you to slow down, take in the sights, and imagine life here during its days as the Hanna family’s winter estate.
For those who simply want to enjoy the natural beauty, Pebble Hill offers plenty of places to wander and reflect. A scenic pond with a viewing platform provides an ideal spot to observe native wildlife and waterfowl. Towering live oaks, fragrant magnolias, and graceful longleaf pines create a picturesque canopy overhead, making every stroll a memorable experience. Whether you’re here for history, birding, or a quiet walk beneath the trees, Pebble Hill’s grounds are a destination unto themselves.
The grounds are located about 7 miles from Downtown Thomasville.
WEBSITE
Birdsong Nature Center
Info Box
Explore nearly 565 acres of walking trails to discover why this remote retreat is called “Birdsong.” This learning center features:
The Listening Place, which is ideal for quiet moments to read, to write, to draw, or to visit in nature, a Bird Window for extraordinary and intimate bird viewing, and a Butterfly Garden. The groomed trails usher you through diverse ecosystems to educate on how controlled burns help to maintain Thomasville’s legacy as the best Northern Bobwhite quail hunting in the world.
2106 Meridian Rd | 229.377.4408
17 miles from Downtown Thomasville
(volunteer ran, ideal to plan to just arrive during hours of operation)
WEBSITE
Birding
The Red Hills region is home to migratory birds, including the Pine Warbler, the Prothonotary Warbler, the Summer Tanager (pictured), the Swallow-tailed Kite, and the Tufted Titmouse.
Most notably, the region is home to the Red-cockaded Woodpecker — a federally listed woodpecker that was recently downlisted from Endangered to Threatened because of the incredible work among regional private landowners and sporting estate owners to increase its population.
Avian enthusiasts can enjoy the grounds of Pebble Hill Plantation, which is featured on the Southern Rivers Birding Trail. In addition to birdwatching, the Main House features John James Audubon artworks, including 33 first edition lithographs. The National Audubon Society was named after Mr. Audubon due to his scientific curiosities that he captured in his drawings. In the Main House, the Big Room also features wall-to-wall artwork featuring at least 15 varieties of birds.
Enthusiasts can request a special John James Audubon tour one week in advance or a guided birding tour. No minimum number of participants needed.
A visit to Birdsong Nature Center will immediately showcase how this nature-lover’s paradise received its name. It is recommended to make time to enjoy a 1-mile stroll along a groomed path to the Listening Place to enjoy the sounds of nature, as well as having some moments to watch birds gather by the picture window near the gift shop.
There are also multiple parks located in nearby Tallahassee that are natural showcases for birds: Visit Tallahassee – Birding
Photo credit: Summer Tanager by Todd Schneider, Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
“Beautiful trails – great way to experience the beauty of the Red Hills Region ecosystems. Gorgeous longleaf pine forest, wildflower meadows, ponds, swamps, and oak hammocks. Highly recommend for bird watching. Take the trail out to the Listening Place and spend some time there. Don’t miss the visitor center / house. It is full of natural and anthropological curiosities – and has an amazing “bird window” room. All the volunteers working there were the epitome of “southern hospitality” and eager to help and answer questions. Hoping to go back to Pebble Hill during spring to see the wildflowers sometime!” -Anna B.
The Rolf & Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area
Visit only in the non-hunting months of June and July
For the best experience, plan your visit during the early morning hours before 10 a.m. or around sunset.
This 2,437-acre property, nestled between the Ochlocknee River and Barnetts Creek, features nearly five miles of scenic hiking trails winding through pristine pine forests — including a beautiful 1.5-mile loop trail. River fishing and wildlife viewing are also available.
6 miles from Downtown Thomasville
WEBSITE
Clay Roads
Stunning clay roads with majestic live oaks and longleaf pines meander through the Red Hills.
Visitors should not attempt to navigate the clay roads if there has been a recent rain.
Past weather data collected at the Valdosta Regional Airport (45 miles from Thomasville) can be viewed HERE.
There is no cost or subscription needed to view the data.
To receive the most complete weather information for this region:
under Location chose Moultrie, GA, Valdosta, GA, and Tallahassee, FL (only one location can be viewed at a time).
Then choose daily data for a month (the top product).
Under Options, select the first day of the month of your visit and then select Go under View to view past precipitation information for the region.
The public clay roads are ideal for a slow ride either by vehicle or if you are a cycling enthusiast. Navigating the roads is not ideal for the casual cyclist.
The most popular stretch of clay road is Millpond Road, which can be accessed from Pinetree Boulevard near Thomas University. Millpond Road dead ends into New Hope Road, if you turn left on New Hope you will head toward US Hwy 19 and Boston, where you can grab a bite at Silo 31626 or LJ’s Buzzery, a right will take you toward Tallahassee.
Cyclists are invited to contact Hubs and Hops – Bike Shop and Taproom for the best insights of cycling this area. Opens at 10am with the exception of 12:30 pm on Sundays, closed on Mondays. 229.236.1890
The Big Oak
A must for every visitor is a stop at Thomasville’s oldest and most cherished natural landmark, The Big Oak. This massive Southern Live Oak grew from a tiny acorn beginning around 1685 and is one of the original members of the Live Oak Society. President Eisenhower was so impressed with the Big Oak that he personally photographed it during one of his frequent visits to Thomasville.
The Dead Tree
Standing near the charming town of Boston, Ga (10 miles from Thomasville), the locally famous Dead Tree is one of the most photographed natural icons in the region.
For more information on how to locate the Dead Tree, text: 229.221.2900 or view the map HERE
“The big oak is a beautiful and one of the largest oak trees I have ever seen. If you love nature and beautiful, unique trees. Then you will love this tree.” – Steven
“Stunning. Amazing. Gorgeous. Stupendous. Breath taking. WOW! Please please please find this big oak and get out of your vehicle to admire the vast branches and enormous trunk. It truly is an unbelievably magnificent tree!! It is a must see when in Thomasville.” – 2sisters07
Pickleball
The Butler-Mason Branch of the YMCA at Remington Park features three well-loved courts that do not have specific lighting. Heritage Creek Sporting Goods in Downtown Thomasville offers pickleball products.
WEBSITE
Country Oaks Golf Course
6481 GA Hwy 122
7 miles from Downtown Thomasville
Situated among 160 acres of wild azaleas, dogwoods, pines, oaks, and magnolias, Country Oaks is a par 72, 18-hole course. The course plays 6,284 yards from the back tees with a USGA rating of 71.3. While not a long golf course by any stretch, it is very narrow, so a premium is placed on accuracy off the tee box. This city-owned course features two family tee placements at each hole for novice or junior golfers.
229.225.4333
WEBSITE
Disc Golf
Located 0.7 miles from Downtown at MacIntyre Park, 217 Glenwood Dr, this short course has featured hole lengths under 300 feet, making it the perfect beginner course, as well as scenic views of a creek and live oak trees.
The Ranges at Oakfield
245 County Farm Road
5.5 miles from Downtown Thomasville
The Ranges at Oakfield is a sporting center located in Thomas County. The facility consists of a 25-yard pistol range, a 100-yard rifle range, two skeet/trap fields, a 5-stand clay range, and an archery range that includes 10 static targets and up to thirty 3D targets.
WEBSITE
Local stores to support your outdoor needs
A community group meets weekly at Active Soles Running Company at 204 W Jackson St in Downtown Thomasville. All runners, visitors and residents alike are welcome to join.
229.236.7653
This is Thomasville’s pickleball sporting goods headquarters, which also offers customization of coolers, beach chairs and clothing with printing and embroidery.
229.234.7922
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Discover the charm of the Red Hills + Thomasville with the Official Visitor’s Guide—your essential resource for exploring the region’s best.
View it online or request a mailed copy below.
