Thompson Mills Forest

Thompson Mills Forest is a botanical garden and experimental woodland spanning 330 acres, with over 90 percent of Georgia's native tree species present across its landscape. The forest demonstrates the natural diversity of the region in a cohesive setting.

Lenox T. Thornton transferred the forest to the University of Georgia in 1980 for teaching and research purposes. This transfer established it as a resource for academic and scientific work.

The forest functions as Georgia's official state arboretum, where visitors encounter native plants displayed across natural woodland settings. Educational groups use the space to learn how different tree species coexist and support the broader forest ecosystem.

The site provides several miles of marked trails winding through the woodland, accessible from New Liberty Church Road in Braselton. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the paths traverse natural forest terrain.

The forest contains a distinctive 8-acre granite outcrop supporting rare plant species, including federally protected black-spored quillwort. These rocks create a unique habitat that sets this area apart from the rest of the woodland.