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. 20-22 weekend.
Picnic Shelters
(as of Nov. 17, 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: All trails are now open except for 2 miles of the yellow trail on the east side of the creek due to the bridge being out.

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 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 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

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

 
 
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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