Doll's Head Trail
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Doll's Head Trail offers a genuinely unique and somewhat quirky outdoor adventure, centered around an evolving collection of doll heads and found object art. It's an easy, relatively flat loop trail with a mix of dirt paths and boardwalks, providing a distinctive exploratory experience for families who appreciate unconventional scenery and are prepared for a less-maintained environment.
Key Highlights
- ✓One-of-a-kind trail featuring an engaging collection of 'creepy and cool' doll heads and other trinkets that kids enjoy discovering.
- ✓Relatively flat and not challenging, making it accessible for a range of ages and energy levels.
- ✓Includes scenic boardwalk sections over water, offering pretty views and a reflective water surface.
- ✓Dog-friendly, allowing families to bring their pets along for the hike.
- ✓Generally not too crowded, even on a Sunday afternoon or during morning hikes, providing a peaceful experience.
Standout Features
- ⭐The unique and ever-growing collection of doll heads and found object art along the trail.
- ⭐The presence of boardwalks, particularly over water, offering distinct views and varied terrain.
- ⭐Its dog-friendly policy, allowing pets to join the family outing.
- ⭐The relatively flat and easy loop trail, approximately 1.6 miles in length.
- ⭐The generally peaceful atmosphere due to lower crowd levels.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Absolutely bring bug spray** as mosquitos are a significant issue.
- →Use a GPS-enabled device or app for navigation as trail markers are poor.
- →Consider hiking with a companion due to concerns about the parking lot safety.
- →Manage expectations regarding trail maintenance; the area is unkempt with overflowing trash and decaying infrastructure.
- →Bring your own water and snacks, and be prepared to pack out any trash, as bins are often overflowing.
- →Plan for a relatively short hike (approx. 1.6 miles) that can be extended by exploring the larger Constitution Lake trails.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Significant lack of maintenance: overflowing trash cans, trash along the trails, and boardwalks that are falling, rotting, or covered in thick dirt and dead leaves.
- ⚠No public bathrooms available on the trail.
- ⚠Mosquitos are a notable problem; they are described as a 'different breed'.
- ⚠Trail markers are poor, making it easy to feel disoriented, though GPS can help with navigation.
- ⚠Parking lot has been described as having 'sketchy stuff going on', leading to recommendations against going alone.
- ⚠The environment includes many rotted trees and stumps, which might be perceived as less aesthetically pleasing by some.
Price & Value
Not explicitly mentioned, but as a public trail, it is generally free to access. The value comes from its unique art installation and easy nature walk, despite the lack of maintenance and amenities.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •While the trail is relatively flat and includes boardwalks, the condition of these boardwalks (falling, rotting, covered in dirt/leaves) and narrow, unkempt dirt sections suggest it is NOT reliably wheelchair or stroller accessible for the full loop.
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •As a nature trail, outside food and drinks are allowed and recommended. No specific rules mentioned, but general 'pack in, pack out' etiquette applies given the overflowing trash cans.
🚗Parking Info
- •Plenty of parking is available.
- •A significant concern is the parking lot, which has been described as having 'sketchy stuff going on', prompting advice not to go alone.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Generally not too crowded, even on a Sunday afternoon.
- •Described as a 'peaceful place for a morning hike', suggesting weekdays and mornings are typically quiet.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No formal safety features are mentioned.
- •A concern for personal safety was raised regarding the parking lot, with a recommendation to avoid going alone due to 'sketchy stuff going on'.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families expecting a pristine, perfectly manicured, or well-maintained nature trail.
- • Individuals who are sensitive to insects, especially mosquitos.
- • Those who require public restrooms during their hike.
- • Anyone uncomfortable with poor trail markings or navigating without GPS.
- • Individuals hiking alone, particularly if sensitive to potentially 'sketchy' parking lot environments.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
A Perez
5 months agoIt was a nice little loop trail with some boardwalks, about 1.6 miles. Not challenging at all. The water was pretty and reflective. The dolls heads along the way were creepy and cool to look at. It wasn't too crowded for a Sunday afternoon and was dog friendly. On the downside, there are no bathrooms & it didn't seem very well-maintained. The trashcans were over-flowing and some of the boardwalks had a thick layer of dirt and dead leaves. Many rotted trees & stumps. No wildlife sightings other than some fish & a couple squirrels. Probably will not come back again when compared to other great trails around Atlanta.
Bonnie Blue
4 months agoDefinitely one of a kind with the small section of the larger group of trails around Constitution Lake. Technically this trail is very short and has a few turns that kind of makes you double back on itself that you can’t get to without going down the main trail. The main trail does look like it has been neglected. Trash bins were overflowing. There was trash along the trails. The boardwalks were falling and rotting in some places. But it was on our trail bucket list and the wild ones had fun exploring! I’ll leave a more detailed review for the main trail around the lake.
M Q
5 months agointeresting park with a long ling hike that is relatively flat. It varies from narrow dirt sections that are very unkept to nice boardwalks over the water with pretty views. The city is definitely not terribly active with upkeep here, there are overflowing trash cans everywhere. Trails are not well marked and I felt disoriented at times but it was easy to find myself on GPS. plenty of parking.
Katherine Arenas
6 months agoNice, interesting, beautiful hike! BRING BUG SPRAY! The mosquitos are a different breed over there!! Loved the doll heads and all of the trinkets and things found from the river, amazing scenery. Kids & dog had fun! The parking lot had some sketchy stuff going on so I wouldn’t go on this hike alone, also so much trash everywhere junking up the beautiful trail and doll head collections.
Sam Lieurance
a month agoA bit odd, a bit creepy and completely hilarious. I really loved the boardwalk link up and enjoyed finding this peaceful place for a morning hike.
Contact Information
1305 S River Industrial Blvd SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, USA
View on Google Maps