Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites
  ZIP SEARCH:    
     Sweetwater Creek State Park

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

FACILITIES AVAILABLE for February 5-7:
Picnic Shelters, Group Shelter
(as of February 3, 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-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...  $2-$3 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Green Building Tour
Sunday, Feb 14, 2010 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 Introduction to Winter Birdwatching
Saturday, Feb 20, 2010 10 AM to 12:30 PM
This birdwatching hike will concentrate on the meadows located on the Chattahoochee riverfront property of Sweetwater Creek State Park. Dense thickets, open meadows, flood plane forest and shallow wetlands on this property attract a variety of winter migrants...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Backcountry Geology Hike
Sunday, Feb 21, 2010 1 PM to 4 PM
Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 1 PM to 4 PM
Saturday, Apr 3, 2010 10 AM to 1 PM
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.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Saturday, Feb 27, 2010 7 PM to 9 PM
Saturday, Mar 27, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Friday, Apr 30, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Friday, May 28, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, Jun 26, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Saturday, Jul 24, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 8 PM to 10 PM
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-guided 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...  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Winter Splendor Hike
Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
This ranger-led hike will be a longer, more strenuous hike to a beautiful and seldom-visited area of the park to appreciate the glorious splendor of wintertime. The hike will be approximately 3.5 miles long and is rated moderate.  $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Landscape Painting - The Historic Mill Ruins
Saturday, Mar 6, 2010 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Join a park ranger on this outing and learn the art of outdoor painting. Acrylic paint, paper and brushes will be supplied by the park, and we will be painting the historic mill ruins by Sweetwater Creek...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Introduction to Flyfishing
Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Join an expert angler and learn about the art of flycasting. Poles will be provided for the class, or anglers can bring their own tackle. In case of inclement weather the class will be held indoors. Pre-registration is required...  $10 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia Geology Hike
Sunday, May 2, 2010 1 PM to 3 PM
Saturday, Jun 12, 2010 9 AM to 11 AM
Saturday, Jul 10, 2010 9 AM to 11 AM
Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 9 AM to 11 AM
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.

  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).
List All Parks | Reservation Questions | Reservation Types| Activities Chart | Accessibility