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     Sweetwater Creek State Park

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

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.

Park Hours: 7AM-10PM
Office Hours: 8AM-5PM
Trails close at dark; other areas close at dark if not in use.
  Make a reservation . . .
  

Events
Get Outdoors Georgia New Manchester History Hike
Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 10 AM - 12 PM
Every week once a week
(Repeats Starting Saturday, Apr 5, 2008.  Ending Saturday, Sep 27, 2008.) 
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek valley...  $1-$2 plus $3 parking. 770-732-5871.
Green Building Tour
Sunday, Jul 13, 2008 2 PM - 3 PM
The park's Interpretive Center/Museum is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings anywhere. It is one of only 21 in the world to receive the highest LEED certification (Platinum) from the U.S. Green Building Council...  $1-$2 plus $3 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Friday, Jul 18, 2008 8 PM - 10 PM
(Starting Monday, May 19, 2008.  Ending Friday, Jul 18, 2008.  Skips days.) 
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...  $1-$2 plus $3 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia Geology Hike
Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 10 AM - 12 PM
(Starting Saturday, May 17, 2008.  Ending Saturday, Jul 19, 2008.  Skips days.) 
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.  $1-$2 plus $3 parking. 770-732-5876.
Facilities
2,549 Acres
215-Acre Lake
Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Conference Room (seats 40, $100)
11 Picnic Shelters ($60)
Group Shelter and BBQ Pit (seats 150, $115-$175)
2 Fishing Docks
Playgrounds

Activities
Hiking - 9 miles of trails
Lake and stream fishing-electric motors only ($2 boat ramp fee)
Canoe (seasonal) and Fishing Boat Rental
Picnicking
Ranger Programs

Nearby Attractions
Atlanta
Six Flags Over Georgia Theme Park
Historic Douglasville
John Tanner State Park - camping
Pickett's Mill Battlefield State Historic Site
Georgia's Treasures Along I-20

Friends of Sweetwater Creek Website Link

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

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

 Take I-20 west from Atlanta, exit #44 at Thornton Road, turn left and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blairs Bridge Road, go 2 miles and turn left on Mount Vernon Road.

 
 
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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