Three Creeks Trail

A trail within a trail, Three Creeks Trail is just off of South Peachtree Creek Trail. There is a neighborhood entry to Three Creeks Trail, but I personally think you'll get the most out of it starting at the beginning. The biggest draw for Three Creeks Trail is the Old Decatur Waterworks, not only for its historical significance, but for it having become a canvas for urban artists in recent decades. And there's even more to see...

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I'm not sure when the Old Decatur Waterworks became a canvas for graffiti artists/urban artists, but it certainly is attention-grabbing! A lot of it is delightful, some of it is thought-provoking, and some of it contains "language", not Rated-G language either. Be prepared to answer certain questions if you bring the little ones here. Or, zip past this and continue with your exploration of nature and a few surprises!

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This is the pylon you're looking for! 

This is the beginning of Three Creeks Trail. On one side of the pylon is a map of the trail. Go ahead and snap a photo of the map with your phone. On the other side is information about the former Native American residents. Cherokee and Creek Indians lived on these lands, as did other Native Americans dating as far back as 10,000 years ago!

What are the namesake three creeks you ask? There's South Fork Peachtree Creek (the larger of the three), Burnt Fork Creek, and Glenn Creek. Three Creeks Trail runs south of the 180° turn of the treetop boardwalk on South Peachtree Creek Trail. If you're traveling from the Medlock Park trail head, you'll enter Three Creeks Trail before you get to the 180° turn.

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There are more than a dozen structures here! Among them are large and small circular water tanks—they have water in them, but don't bother bringing your bathing suit. There's an administration building, and there are two rectangular settling tanks.

This Waterworks provided water to the City of Decatur until the late 30s, around 1939, according to my research. It continued to serve as a backup once the new facility went operational. This area also served as a public park for a period, until it was closed to the public during World War II.  

Old Decatur Waterworks was entered in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006, 100 years after construction started on the first structure, the Administration Building! It was recognized for its significance in the areas of politics and government, entertainment and recreation, and landscape architecture.

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I didn't explore Three Creeks Trail the first time I traveled South Peachtree Creek Trail. There are some really fun sights to see, including the 180° turnaround on the treetop boardwalk from far below. Back on South Peachtree Creek Trail, on this part of the boardwalk, is where you'll see the popular water tower.

I don't think I realized how high I was the first time I was on this section of treetop boardwalk. I was distracted by the design of the boardwalk and seeing the "famous" water tower I'd heard about.

I encourage you to look around while you're exploring...look all around! This particular path goes in a big circle, so you don't have the reverse view unless you decided to double-back.

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This part of the trail has gates on both sides of the creek, with signage encouraging caution when crossing here, warning about slippery rocks. And the bright orange hand rails are awesome! I'm sure they come in handy around dusk. 

There were plenty of dry spots on the rocks that I could see—and I'm mindful that the slippery could be on my shoes from mud I'd stepped in before getting to the rocks—I was more concerned that the rocks might not be secure. I really didn't want to swim around in the creek. I passed slowly and safely. 

When I was a kid, there was a time when we lived in the mountains—I've lived in the Smoky Mountains and the Rocky Mountains. Both gave me a love of nature that you just don't get living only in the city. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally a city guy, but I have a high regard and respect for nature, a gift received by spending so much time in forests and mountains.

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This I found particularly cool. I've seen stone-lined creek beds before, but I'd never seen one done more like cobblestone. I think this is beautiful. I wouldn't want to ride my bike over it (and it's not on the main path), but of course I walked over it. These kinds of surprises delight me to no end.

"Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.” 

                                                        — Jimmy Carter

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

He's so tiny that you might not be able to make out his sign. It says, "Gnome, Sweet Gnome". I assume this was left by a neighbor—it's very close to the Desmond Drive at Park Lane entrance to the trail. What a delightful little surprise to find so unexpectedly.

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

Three Creeks Trail is a fun diversion off of the South Peachtree Creek Trail. I hope you'll make the time to explore it, a totally different experience from the main trail! The second half of the trail is more tranquil, albeit less flat. There are a few minor but interesting rock outcrops, lots of undergrowth, and you'll see terrain that's totally different from any part of South Peachtree Creek Trail. 

The loop closes back at the Old Decatur Waterworks, but on its other side, so you'll get to see quite a bit of those ruins, if you didn't already explore them extensively. 

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I enjoy graffiti art/urban art and Atlanta has truly embraced it as an art form. But, while most of the graffiti artists in Atlanta create their art respectfully and tastefully, others leave trash behind—the kind that someone else has to pick up. It's not only rude, it's disrespectful...to the environment and everyone else who would like to enjoy nature. 

Some of this trash I assume is left by visitors, not all of it by some of the artists. Paint away, just take your trash with you! Oh, and painting on directional signs (which creates dangerous situations) or educational signs is a total loser move. Stick to the ruins, please!

Please help spread the word about the Leave No Trace initiative. Why? So that we all, and future generations, can enjoy our parks, hiking trails, and other nature spots. It's up to us!

Three Creeks Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This link has a photograph of the Old Decatur Waterworks from the 1940s, which can help orient you to what you'll explore when you go hiking on the Three Creeks Trail. Remember, this one is a trail inside a trail. You get to it from the South Peachtree Creek Trail.

Go, enjoy nature, enjoy the ruins of the Old Decatur Waterworks, enjoy some awesome graffiti art, and look around for delightful surprises along your outdoor adventure.

South Peachtree Creek Trail

South Peachtree Creek Trail is one of the more splendid trails I've explored recently. You have the option of trekking the 1.8 miles and returning on the same 1.8 miles, with a new view, all of which is boardwalk or paved—a nice bit of exercise, in the beauty of nature—at 3.6 miles total. There are a some of softer paths, too, if you'd like to explore a little off the main trail, and want to add to your total mileage, if you're going for distance or steps like I was initially.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The South Peachtree Creek Trail is available to locals and visitors through a partnership with DeKalb County and the PATH Foundation. It's incredibly maintained and has a few surprises along the way...the good kind, of course.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The above photo is a relic from the Old Decatur Waterworks. This particular water tower is mentioned a lot in earlier articles about South Peachtree Creek Trail, usually noting it being covered with urban art, or graffiti. Today it's mostly covered with undergrowth, but you can still see a little of the art on the back. This is near the 180° turn on the boardwalk, pictured below.

Three Creeks Trail, an off-shoot of South Peachtree Creek Trail, takes visitors through the Old Decatur Waterworks. There's quite a bit on that trail, so I've decided to share that in a separate post.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

The boardwalk goes treetop at this point where there's a 180° turn on the trail. This is a dismount zone for cyclists. You'll see walkers, runners, and cyclists on the trail. And you'll see some regulars, if you find yourself going multiple times.

This is one of the best marked trails I've been on, which includes distance markers, so you know how far you've hiked and how much you have left. There are also signs specifically for those on bicycles indicating curves and that boardwalks can be slippery when wet. I would feel safe biking here, for the excellent signage alone.

There are multiple places along the trail where you can enter. The times I've been, I park at Medlock Park, which has ample free and SHADED parking! This is also the starting point for the distance markers along the trail.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This is definitely a wildlife habitat and one of the signs you'll see kindly reminds us:

PLEASE DO NOT HARM 

NATIVE CREATURES

YOU ARE A GUEST 

IN THEIR HOME

Some kids who were biking with their dad came across this little guy and they were totally fascinated with it. They were, of course, respectful and cycled around him.

You're likely to see a wide array of wildlife ranging from turtles to many species of birds and perhaps even some deer.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

About half way to the end of the trail at North Druid Hills Road (the turnaround point) you pass by Mason Mill Park. There's signage, but if you miss that you'll see (or hear) the tennis courts. 

I did not realize it when I visited, but the author I've mentioned on other hikes, the one whose book, Hiking Atlanta's Hidden Forests, has been a great resource, is a Ranger at Mason Mill Park. Although not available during the pandemic, Ranger Jonah McDonald leads nature programs and coordinates volunteer activities in the 120-acre forest around the park! 

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There have not been a lot of art installations on the trails I've been exploring—nature is so beautiful on its own that I haven't missed seeing public art. These colorful birdhouses are fantastical fun! I did not see a placard near them, so I don't know the creative genius behind them, but whoever did them created a spot of joy that you can't help but smile at when you pass by.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

On my first visit, I explored some of the side trails. One took me along the creek for a short distance, another took me along nearby train tracks, and one took me to where they intersect. 

This railroad trestle, operated by Seaboard Air Line Railroad, was used to transport construction materials to the Old Decatur Waterworks site, which dates back to the early 1900s.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

I love how clever they were with seats in unexpected places, like the one above. There are additional benches, some quite stylish, along the trail, too. 

This is a destination for all generations! I've never seen a trail bring so many different people. There are kids and teens, young professionals, families, moms-with-strollers, middle-age folks, and lots of senior citizens. It was refreshing to see so much diversity.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

This stone bridge, today part of South Peachtree Creek Trail, is from the 1907 Old Decatur Waterworks, which was abandoned in the 1940s. The Waterworks was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 2006.

Just beyond this bridge on the left are remnants of a stone fountain that once graced the grounds of the former Decatur Waterworks. I had no idea what it was when I first saw it, but later found maps of the waterworks that had the fountain on them. 

Just beyond that, also on the left, is a pylon with informational placards about Three Creeks Trail (which I'll write about in another post), a trail within a trail. This loop trail takes visitors through the ruins of the Old Decatur Waterworks and beyond.

South Peachtree Creek Trail | Photo: Travis Swann Taylor

There's also a branch of the trail that leads to Emory University Clairmont Campus. I have not traveled that one, but perhaps next time. It's entry point is well-marked and an obvious fork in the path. This is a big deal because it connects numerous neighborhoods with Emory University. I hope we see lots of examples of this for other colleges and universities around town.

You might not believe that you're inside the perimeter (inside I-285) while you're power-walking or meandering the South Peachtree Creek Trail. This trail, which offers quite a bit of shade (but still wear your sunscreen!), natural beauty, and it showcases a variety of ecological environs. Enjoy!