The topography of Clarkston is typical of the Georgia Piedmont, defined by gently rolling hills and a lack of extreme elevation changes. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 994 feet (303 meters) above sea level.
While there are no major mountain ranges or large bodies of water within the city limits, the terrain features small creeks and natural drainage basins that eventually feed into the South River watershed. The rolling nature of the landscape provides a green, heavily tree-canopied environment that softens the urban density of the area.