Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
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     Sweetwater Creek State Park

Reservations (800) 864-7275
Park (770) 732-5871

FACILITIES AVAILABLE for Nov. 6-8 weekend.
Picnic Shelters
(as of Nov. 3, 2009 - updates are posted on Tuesday)

Sweetwater Creek is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from bustling downtown Atlanta. The most popular trail (red) follows the free-flowing 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 mile-long stretch of white-water rapids below. The 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular with anglers and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and canoeing. Fishing supplies are available in the park's bait shop, while wildlife and history displays, trail maps, snacks and gift items may be found in the Visitor Center -- the most environmentally responsible building in Georgia (LEED-NC PLATINUM).

Park Hours:

Visitor Center/Office Hours:
  • 8AM-5PM Thursday through Sunday
  • Trails close at dark; other areas close at dark if not in use.

FLOOD UPDATE: A few trails are currently closed due to post-flood, hazardous conditions; however most are open. Due to bridge closures from the flood, Thornton Road (I-20 Exit 44) no longer provides access to the park. I-20 travelers should take Lee Road/Exit 41 instead. Go 1.5 miles and turn left on Cedar Terrace. This road ends at the park after 1 mile.

FACILITIES:
  • 2,549 Acres
  • 215-Acre Lake
  • Visitor Center and Gift Shop
  • Meeting Room (seats 40, $100)
  • 11 Picnic Shelters ($65)
  • Group Shelter and BBQ Pit (seats 150, $200)
  • 2 Fishing Docks
  • Playgrounds

ACTIVITIES:




NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

OTHER:

Become a "Friend" of Sweetwater Creek State Park
  Make a reservation . . .
  

Events
Get Outdoors Georgia Native Grass Seed Collection at Pickett's Mill Battlefield
Saturday, Nov 7, 2009 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Join staff from Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park, and help pick native grass and wildflower seed from the meadows at Pickett's Mill Battlefield. We will be focusing on native grasses such as Little Bluestem, Indian Grass, and forbs like native legumes, blazing star, and goldenrod... 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia New Manchester History Hike
Saturdays 1 PM - 3 PM until Mar 27, 2010 
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley...  $1-$2 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Geology Hike
Sunday, Nov 8, 2009 1 PM to 3 PM
Geologist and "Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park" member John Johnston will lead a moderate 2-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. There will also be a visit inside the ruins of the Civil War era New Manchester Mill alongside the beautiful rapids of Sweetwater Creek.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Owl Prowl
Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 8 PM to 9:30 PM
Join park rangers on this nighttime excursion on the white trail, and listen and watch for Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, and the Screech Owl. Meet at the Intpretive Center, the hike will follow the White Trail to Jack's Hill area and back, about 2 miles round trip...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Down by the Riverside" Hike
Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 1 PM to 4 PM
Join us for a 2.5-hour hike through the seldom visited Chattahoochee River area of the park. This will be primarily a nature hike but will also include the manmade history of the area. We will meet in the Interpretive Center by the "Trails" parking lot and then carpool to the Riverside area...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Autumn Hayrides
Saturday & Sunday 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM from Nov 21, 2009 until Nov 22, 2009 
Get in the mood for the holidays on this guided hayride down the White trail and through Jack's Hill. The last ride will be at 3:30 p.m. Park Rangers and historians will accompany the groups and interpret the history of the area. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Autumn Hayride
Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
A guided hayride through the autumn woods is just the thing to put you in the mood for the holidays. The ride will start at the interpretive center and take participants on a 2-mile ride down the White Trail to Jacks Hill. A Park Ranger will interpret the different areas of the trip.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Landscape Painting
Saturday, Nov 28, 2009 2 PM to 4:30 PM
Join a park ranger on this outing and learn the art of landcape painting. Acrylic paint, paper and brushes will be supplied by the park, and we will be painting lake front scenery and fall colors near Sparks Reservoir...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Green Building Tour
Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Handicapped AccessibleThe 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.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
This 1.5-mile guided hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. The hike will continue if it is overcast but will be cancelled if raining. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Winter Birdwatching
Saturday, Dec 5, 2009 8 AM to 11 AM
A ranger will teach up-and-coming birdwatchers about different types of binoculars, field guides, and habitat types. A guided walk will cover the reservoir and the White Trail up to Jack's Hill as we look for winter migrants like waterfowl, hawks, sparrows and other songbirds  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Backcountry Geology Hike
Sunday, Dec 6, 2009 1 PM to 4 PM
Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack's Branch area and the seldom visited rock quarry of New Manchester. Meet in the Interpretive Center.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia Painting the Winter Landscape
Saturday, Dec 12, 2009 2 PM to 4 PM
This ranger-led class will take visitors to the "rapids" section of the nature trail, where participants can paint in the winter light the forms and textures that are visible when the forest is open and our hemisphere is tilted at its furthest from the sun...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Introduction to Wildlife Painting
Saturday, Jan 2, 2010 10 AM to 12 PM
Handicapped AccessibleThis classroom program will give participants a chance to render paintings of stuffed animals and birds. This is a hands on workshop, and will give participants the chance to paint from a real 3-D form, with real feathers, fur, and correct proportions needed for accurate wildlife painting...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.

  Address/Directions
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mt. Vernon Road
Lithia Springs , GA 30122

Mailing Address
P. O. Box 816
Lithia Springs, GA 30122

 Due to bridge closures from the flood, Thornton Road (I-20 Exit 44) no longer provides access to the park. I-20 travelers should take Lee Road/Exit 41 instead. Go 1.5 miles and turn left on Cedar Terrace. This road ends at the park after 1 mile. Pre-flood directions.

 
 
Make reservations using the options above or call 1-800-864-7275 (Monday-Friday, 8AM-8PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM EST).
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