An official website of the State of Georgia.
» Visitor Center Notice:
› All visitors must register at the Visitor Center.
» Hiking Notice:
› View Hunting Schedule
› The Laurel Ridge Trail is a safety zone and is open for hiking at all times, even during scheduled hunts.
» Fishing Notice:
› Trout fishing is only allowed on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, October – May, and requires a reservation. No fishing access for Day Use Visitors June - September. Overnight cottage guests may fish any day during their stay throughout the year.
Come fish in crystal clear trout streams of the Dukes Creek Watershed, or hike through wildflower covered trails on the Blue Ridge Escarpment at Smithgall Woods State Park, a masterpiece of nature, reclaimed and rejuvenated from land transformed by hydraulic gold mining in the nineteenth century, and the enduring legacy of its donor Charles Smithgall.
Smithgall Woods is an angler’s paradise. One of north Georgia’s premier trout streams, Dukes Creek, runs through this spectacular mountain property and is a favorite for catch and release fishing. To ensure a quality experience, the number of anglers is limited and fishing is offered only on certain days. As a result, anglers should call ahead for reservations. Five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads allow hikers and bicyclists to explore hardwoods, streams and wildlife.
Smithgall Woods is also an elegant mountain retreat, perfect for romantic getaways, small weddings or outings with friends. Six beautifully decorated cottages — Creekside Cottage, Smithgall Cottage, Dover Cottage, Parkside Cottage, Garden Cottage and Laurel Cottage — provide 17 bedrooms with telephones and television. Some cottages have porches along the stream, while others have private hot tubs. A 1 mile trail leads from the cottages to Dukes Creek Falls.
Smithgall Woods was acquired by the state in 1994 as a gift-purchase from Charles A. Smithgall, Jr., a noted conservationist and businessman.
Reservations, Accommodations & Facilities
- 5,844 Acres
- 6 Cottages
- Pioneer Campground (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.) — call park to reserve, youth & conservation groups only
- 5 Picnic Shelters (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
- Visitor Center
- Discovery Room Museum
- Gift Shop
Things To Do & See
- Archery — reservations required
- Biking
- Birdwatching
- Chronolog
- Trout Fishing — seasonal, reservations required, catch & release only
- Hiking — 28 miles of trails
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Weddings — park approval required
- Geocaching at Georgia State Parks
- All-Terrain Georgia Action Trackchair
Programs
Guided tours are on the first Saturday of every month, guided hikes are on the second Saturday of every month. Check our events page for more details.
Nearby Attractions
- Alpine Village of Helen
- Blairsville, GA
- Blue Ridge Mountains
- Brasstown Bald
- Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site
- Don Carter State Park
- Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area
- Hardman Farm State Historic Site
- Moccasin Creek State Park
- Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area
- Unicoi State Park & Lodge
- Vogel State Park
- Chattahoochee WMA
- Chestatee WMA
