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800-864-7275
Park
770-732-5871
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Mill Ruins Notice:
›
To protect the historic mill ruins and maintain safety, access to the interior is closed to all visitors, including school trips, guided hikes and special events. Hikes to the exterior of the ruins are still available and encouraged.
"The extraordinary beauty of the rugged hills, rocky outcrops, and rolling rapids of Sweetwater Creek have shaped centuries of history engaging you to reconnect with the natural world."
Sweetwater Creek State Park is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. Additional trails wind through fields and forest, showcasing ferns, magnolias, wild azaleas and hardwoods. Park rangers lead informative hikes to these areas throughout the year.
The 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular for fishing and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and picnicking. However, there is no beach and swimming in the Reservoir is not allowed. Fishing supplies are available in the adjacent bait shop. During warmer months, the park rents fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats. Visitors can join the Park Paddlers Club, which challenges them to explore waterways in six state parks. An award-winning
Visitor Center
—one of the most environmentally responsible buildings in the country—features exhibits on the area’s history, wildlife displays, trail maps, snacks and a renovated gift shop. A window-lined meeting room that seats 40 can be rented for gatherings.
$5 parking.
Annual passes available.
GeorgiaStateParks.org/SweetwaterCreek
Park Hours:
7 a.m.–Dark
Office Hours:
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Bait Shop Hours:
Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (Closed Wednesdays)
Saturday–Sunday 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Accommodations & Facilities:
• 2,549 Acres
• 215-Acre Lake
• 10
Yurts
($85) —
read one family's review
• 5 Tent Campsites ($25)
• Visitor Center/Museum/Gift Shop
•
Conference Room
(seats 40, weekday $85/weekend $100)
• 8 Picnic Shelters ($75)
• Group Shelter & BBQ Pit (seats 150, weekday $175/weekend $225)
• 2 Fishing Docks
• 1 Boat Ramp
• Bait Shop — seasonal
Things To Do & See:
•
Hiking
— 12 miles of trails
• Fishing — electric motors only
• Kayak, Canoe, Stand-Up Paddleboard, & Aquacycle Rental — seasonal,
Park Paddlers Club
• Boat Rental — seasonal
• Picnicking
•
Geocaching
• Interpretive Programs
•
Birding
• Playgrounds
•
Weddings
— park approval required
•
Family Reunions
— park approval required
Nearby Attractions:
• Atlanta, Georgia
•
Carrollton, Georgia
• Douglasville, Georgia
•
Henry County
•
Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
•
Sandy Springs, Georgia
• Six Flags Over Georgia Theme Park
Sweetwater Creek State Park Business Plan
Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park
DCNE Sweetwater Creek Video Special
Make a Reservation
5 Campsites
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Reserve
10 Yurts
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Reserve
1 Conference Room
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Reserve
8 Picnic Shelters
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Reserve
1 Group Shelter
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Reserve
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Events
Introduction to Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
Wednesday, Jun 29, 2016
7 PM to 8:30 PM
Join park staff for an introduction to Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and a tour of the lovely Sparks Reservoir. This program is for anyone 12 years or older who can swim and are new to SUP. Limited to 8 participants. Paddleboard, PFD, and SUP paddle included. $20 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Bark in the Park" Dog Hike
Friday, Jul 1, 2016
7:30 PM to 9 PM
Friday, Jul 8, 2016
7:30 PM to 9 PM
Friday, Jul 15, 2016
7 PM to 8:30 PM
Friday, Jul 22, 2016
7 PM to 8:30 PM
Friday, Jul 29, 2016
7 PM to 8:30 PM
Monday, Oct 10, 2016
10 AM to 11 AM
More Dates...
Walk the beautiful trails of the park with your four-legged companion. We will enjoy a guided hike by a park ranger alongside the rapids of Sweetwater Creek and view the New Manchester Mill from the recent movie "Hunger Games: Mockingjay." Reservations required. Meet outside the Visitor's Center. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. $5 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Don't get Lost, get into Orienteering
Saturday, Jul 2, 2016
3 PM to 5 PM
Saturday, Jul 16, 2016
3 PM to 5 PM
Want to know how to use a compass and read a topographic map? Then join us for this program and learn all about the sport of Orienteering. You'll also take home your very own map to Sweetwater's permanent orienteering course. Wear good walking shoes, bring water and a hat for this off-trail program. Meet us at the Visitor Center. $5 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Bouncing for Bocce Ball
Saturday, Jul 2, 2016
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Saturday, Jul 16, 2016
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Get outdoors at the Visitor Center by learning how to play one of the worlds oldest sports. Today it is most popular in Italy, and is great fun for all ages. Wear a hat, bring your water, and be ready to play. $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Stars of Sweetwater
Saturday, Jul 2, 2016
9 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, Jul 9, 2016
9 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, Jul 16, 2016
9 PM to 10 PM
Join us at the Bait Shop for stargazing. We'll be identifying constellations and discussing the ancient tales associated with them. Bring a blanket for sitting, and a flashlight with a red lens, cover, or bulb. Binoculars and star charts provided. $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Clicks in the Night, a Batty Experience
Sunday, Jul 3, 2016
2 PM to 3:30 PM
Bats are a necessary and cool part of our ecosystem; help us build bat habitats to strengthen their population. Come for free just to learn about bats, or pre-register with the Visitor Center to build a bat box. We have a few spots left! Come to the Visitor Center for this program. Questions? Email redtop.programmers@dnr.ga.gov. $10 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Hidden Gem" Eastside Hike
Saturday, Jul 9, 2016
9 AM to 12 PM
This "Hidden Gem" hike to a beautiful, seldom-explored area will take us to a remote and gorgeous area on the eastside of Sweetwater Creek. You'll enjoy great views of Class IV rapids. This three mile hike is rated strenuous. Sturdy, closed toe shoes are required. 12 years and older. Meet at the Visitors Center. $10 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Geology Hike
Saturday, Jul 9, 2016
10 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Aug 13, 2016
10 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Sep 10, 2016
10 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Oct 1, 2016
1 PM to 3 PM
More Dates...
Geologist John Johnston will lead a moderate 2-mile hike identifying rocks and explaining how and when they formed. He will also explain the tectonic events that forced the rock units to be faulted and folded. There will be a visit down to the ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester Mill alongside the lovely rapids of Sweetwater creek. $6 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Renewable Energy Summer Camp for 3rd-8th Grade Kids
Monday, Jul 11, 2016
9 AM to 1 PM
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2016
9 AM to 1 PM
Wednesday, Jul 13, 2016
9 AM to 1 PM
Thursday, Jul 14, 2016
9 AM to 1 PM
Friday, Jul 15, 2016
9 AM to 1 PM
More Dates...
Spend the week(Mon- Fri) with the Okla Choctaw Nation and The Captain Planet Foundation learning everything you wanted to know about solar, wind and turbine energy. $50.00 per child
678-796-6552.
Sweetwater Creek Canoe Cleanup
Sunday, Jul 17, 2016
1 PM to 3 PM
Sunday, Aug 21, 2016
1 PM to 3 PM
Sunday, Sep 11, 2016
1 PM to 3 PM
Join us in beautifying Sweetwater Creek as we pick up trash from the water by canoe and along the banks. Pre-registration is required and previous canoe experience is required for those in canoes. Meet at the Visitor's Center. $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Almost-Full Moon" Night Paddle
Monday, Jul 18, 2016
8 PM to 10 PM
Join us for an evening of enchantment as we paddle the lake at night under the light of the moon. You will have a choice of a tandem kayak or a canoe. Limited to 12 people who can swim and are 18 yrs. or older. A flashlight is required. Call for reservations. $25 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Green Building Tour
Friday, Jul 22, 2016
6 PM to 7 PM
The Park's Visitor Center/Museum is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings anywhere. It has received the highest LEED certification (Platinum) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn about sustainability, green buildings and what makes this one so special. $2 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5876.
"Hidden Gem" Eastside Nature and History Hike
Saturday, Aug 6, 2016
9 AM to 11:30 PM
This "Hidden Gem" hike will be to a little-known, beautiful area on the east side of the park and will encompass the nature and history of this area. This 2.5 mile hike is rated moderate. Sturdy, closed toe shoes are required. Meet at the Visitor's Center. $8 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Hidden Gem" Lake Paddle and Hike
Saturday, Sep 3, 2016
9 AM to 12 PM
This "Hidden Gem" program includes a lake paddle and hike to a seldom-visited area. Kayak or canoe, PFD, and paddle included. Must be able to swim and over 12 years old. The hike is rated moderate. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. $20 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
National Public Lands Day
Saturday, Sep 24, 2016
9 AM to 12 PM
Join park staff and other volunteers to celebrate National Public Lands Day by improving Sweetwater Creek State Park. Water, gloves, comfortable work clothes, and closed-toe shoes recommended.
770-732-5871.
Hidden Gem History Hike
Sunday, Oct 2, 2016
1 PM to 3 PM
This "Hidden Gem" hike will take us to several interesting Civil War era historic sites and ruins in the Ferguson's Crossing area of the park. This hike is rated moderate and closed toe, sturdy shoes are required. $8 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
Trails Work Day
Sunday, Nov 13, 2016
10 AM to 1 PM
Sunday, Dec 11, 2016
10 AM to 1 PM
Join us for a volunteer work day performing general trail maintenance on the beautiful trails of the park. Bring gloves, water, comfortable work clothes, and closed-toe, sturdy shoes. Recommended age 12 and up. Meet at the Visitor's Center. $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Hidden Gem" Visitor's Center/Museum Tour
Sunday, Nov 27, 2016
1 PM to 2:30 PM
This "behind the scenes" tour of the LEED Platinum Visitor's Center/Museum will not only showcase the green building highlights of the building but also little-known and interesting facts about some of the exhibits. $8 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
"Hidden Gem" New Manchester Daily Life Hike
Sunday, Dec 11, 2016
2 PM to 4 PM
This "Hidden Gem" hike will focus on the everyday life of the New Manchester residents and will visit sites not normally visited to see where they lived, where they got their drinking water, the 1850's roads they used, etc. $8 plus $5 parking.
770-732-5871.
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Address/Directions
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mount Vernon Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Douglas County
GPS Coordinates:
N 33.753783 | W -084.639000
Take I-20 west from Atlanta, exit #44 at Thornton Road, turn left and go ¼ mile. Turn right on Blairs Bridge Road. After 2 miles, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to the park.
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BLUE-A-1
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mount Vernon Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
View Details
33.753783
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Make reservations using the options above
or call 1-800-864-7275
(Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.;
Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST).
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