This 135-acre nature trail park was built in the late 1950’s by the local Kiwanis Club which is located in the northeast of Atlanta in the Dunwoody section. Several outdoor amenities are offered here such as fishing, a swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball and football fields, picnic tables, and grill. The park was named after Murphy Candler who served the Georgia House and Georgia Senate. He also served as chair of the Georgia State Railroad Commission. His son Scott Candler also played a major role in the establishment of Stone Mountain Park.

From a parking area where a pavilion is, the trail starts at the entrance after crossing the dam across Nancy Creek. Taking the concrete path, the trail leads you away from the parking lot and onto a crossing at the first bridge. The bridge is made of wooden planks with iron hand railings. As you step down from the bridge, make a right turn and proceed along the path onto the lakeshore.

The footpath then enters into the woods and at .4 miles on this trip you will encounter some root-bound sections with some rocky terrain. Continue travelling north straight ahead where there are some visible renovations done to the lake shore. Move past this as the path proceeds to some plant growth. Subsequently crossing some wooden bridges, the footpath takes you over tributaries and to Nancy Creek’s natural wetland.

After emerging from the bridge over this wetland, the path then proceeds marking 1.2 miles upon reaching another crossing at the North Fork Nancy Creek. This is the larger fork between the two forks on this trail yet the water that flows here is mostly the result of a local runoff. After stepping off the Nancy Creek footbridge, continue to follow the treadway as it ascends easily to a low ridge above Murphy Candler Lake which is approximately 30 feet high.

As you continue to loop back and follow the ridge trail, you will come across the picnic areas which leads you back to the pavilion at the entrance. Upon returning back to the parking area, cross the dam on a paved sidewalk which then marks the end of this loop trail. The Murphy Candler Park also offers fishing where bass, sunfish, and catfish are found. The parking area is also big where you will not have any problems finding a good spot. However, the park can be packed especially during spring time.