Thompson Mills Forest - Georgia State Arboretum

While the forest provides teaching and researching opportunities for the university, it offers visitors a network of nature trails under a shady canopy and includes an 8-acre granite outcrop. The trail system of approximately three to four miles is open to the public Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 330 acres designated as Thompson Mills Forest were deeded to the University of Georgia in 1980 to provide teaching and research opportunities to the students and researchers in dendrology, ecology, silviculture and forest biology; establish an arboretum of native and exotic trees; and to provide Georgia citizens and visitors an opportunity to study and enjoy the abundant plants of the region. Since 1980 more than 100 species of trees have been added to the 80 native species already present in the forest. Currently the collection includes 90 percent of the native trees of Georgia.