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 September 10-12:
Picnic Shelter
(as of September 7, 2010 - 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 plantinum status).

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, $105)
  • 11 Picnic Shelters ($70)
  • Group Shelter (seats 150, $205) and BBQ Pit
  • 2 Fishing Docks
  • Playgrounds

ACTIVITIES:




NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

SUPPORTERS:

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

Events
Get Outdoors Georgia New Manchester History Hike
Saturdays 10 AM - 12 PM until Sep 25, 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...  $3-$4 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Butterfly Safari
Sunday, Sep 12, 2010 2 PM to 4 PM
Join this guided tour as we explore an open grassland in search of butterflies like the Tiger Swallowtail, Common Buckeye, and Fiery Skipper. Participants will meet at the interpretive center and caravan to the Riverside Parkway Property, an 80-acre mosaic of grassland. Pre-Registration required.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-7275.
Get Outdoors Georgia Twilight Canoe Outing
Friday, Sep 17, 2010 7:30 PM to 9 PM
Join us for an evening paddle on the lake. All participants must be able to swim and have some canoeing experience. Minimum age 12 years. Pre-registration is necessary.  $10, includes canoe rental. $5 for those bringing their own canoe or kayak. $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia New Manchester Days
Saturday & Sunday 10 AM - 4 PM from Sep 18, 2010 until Sep 19, 2010 
This two-day living history event will bring to life the New Manchester Community that prospered up to the Civil War... $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Landscape Painting - Painting Textures in Nature
Sunday, Sep 19, 2010 2 PM to 4 PM
This class will meet at the Interpretive Center and hike a small distance down the Red Trail. This class will focus on painting textures in nature, such as tree bark, lichen, and natural rock surfaces. Meet at the Sweetwater Creek Interpretive Center, materials will be provided...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Friday, Sep 24, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Friday, Oct 22, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, Nov 20, 2010 7 PM to 9 PM
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2010 7 PM to 9 PM
This 1.5-mile ranger-led night hike is moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes. No children under 6 or dogs. Meet inside the Visitor Center...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia National Public Lands Day - Cleanup Sweetwater Creek
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 9 AM to 1 PM
Join us for a park cleanup, light trail maintenance, native grass plantings, and invasive plant removal on the 17th annual National Public Lands Day, our nation's largest hands-on volunteer event to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. 770 732-5871.
Hunting 101 Class
Saturday, Sep 25, 2010 10 AM to 3 PM
Learn the basics of hunting through the ages until today, including game species, equipment, methods of hunting, why people hunt and why game management is needed. This is a basic course for those who have never hunted, those just getting started, or those who want to understand those who do...  $5. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Geology Hike
Sunday, Sep 26, 2010 1 PM to 3 PM
Saturday, Oct 16, 2010 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 Wilderness Survival Class
Saturday, Oct 9, 2010 10 AM to 3 PM
Covers basic and some advanced survival techniques. Good for all ages. Learn to build a fire, make an emergency shelter, navigation, and how to pack a day pack and first aid kit for survival. Please bring a sack lunch. Space is limited. Register in advance.  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Flyfishing
Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 10 AM to 4 PM
Join an expert angler and learn about the art of fly casting on the banks of Sweetwater Creek. One class will be 10:00am to 12:00pm, a second class will be 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Poles will be provided for the class, or anglers can bring their own tackle. Class is geared toward 7 years and older...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Backcountry Geology Hike
Saturday, Nov 20, 2010 1 PM to 4 PM
Sunday, Dec 5, 2010 1 PM to 4 PM
Sunday, Jan 9, 2011 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. 770-732-5871.

  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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