State parks, historic towns, expansive lakes, history, rolling hills and beautiful scenery, along with gracious southern hospitality and charm, is what makes East Georgia a favorite with locals and visitors alike. .
A short drive north of Commerce in Maysville is Hurricane Shoals Park. A park steeped in local history where family and friends can enjoy picnics, swimming, and plenty of photo opportunities in this picturesque area. The Heritage Village portion of the park allows you to step back in time, where many historic buildings dating back to the late 1800s have been rescued and relocated to the park. The two loops of nature trails covering two miles are the best way to explore the rugged beauty of the park along the banks of the North Oconee River. Where the trail on the west side of the park goes over the covered bridge along the wooded banks of the river and the falls area. The eastern trail crosses the falls and heads into the woods before descending to the riverbank past an authentic mill.
Fort Yargo State Park is located just west of Athens in the historic town of Winder, which features a 1792 log fort built by settlers to protect against the Creek and Cherokee Indians. The park’s wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery, including a 260-acre lake ideal for swimming and fishing, makes it a popular destination for locals as well as those from afar. The state park has more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails that are sure to test one’s stamina. The seven-mile loop trail around the lake, rated easy to moderate, hugs coastal forest in many places, as well as winding through wooded upland past Rock Garden and over Heart Attack Hill.
The Georgia State Botanical Garden in Athens not only has numerous types of gardens, there is a new Children’s Garden where children can play and learn in an environment that inspires their sense of adventure, as well as more than five miles of nature trails and is designated as an important habitat for birds. Resplendent white and orange loop trails cover just under five miles wind through serene natural areas and rare features like heather bluffs along the Middle Oconee River. While the orange trail winds along a beautiful boulder lined creek through a hardwood forest then up old farm terraces through a pine forest. The White Trails trail leads along the wooded riverbank before branching off and up hills and down into rugged stream valleys, making it the most challenging trail.
Just west of Augusta is Mistletoe State Park with one of the largest lakes in the southeast, great for swimming and fishing, where the park’s campground sits on a peninsula that offers spectacular views of sunrises over the open water. For thrill seekers, the park has 15 miles of trails through the beautiful forests of East Georgia, ranging from easy to difficult.
The most challenging trail in the park is the rugged 5.1-mile Rock Dam Loop trail with elevation changes totaling 425 feet. The trail crosses four flowing streams, with no walkways, crosses the scenic rock dam, and traverses a deep ravine as it winds through a forest where the appearance and terrain change around every corner. The Rock Dam trail loops from the back of the 2.1-mile Cliatt Creek Nature Trail Loop, making for a challenging but rewarding 7-mile hike. The Cliatt Trail descends to Cliatt Creek, where it follows the wooded banks of the creek before ascending to the upland section through pine, oak, sweetgum, and beech forest through natural habitat for deer and turkey. Additional trails include the 1.9-mile, one-way Beach Trail through a pine and hardwood forest with 190-foot elevation changes, crossing several wooden bridges before reaching the beach area. Campground’s 1.5-mile loop travels ¾ mile with the Beach Trail before turning west through a stand of American holly, descending to the lake shore where the trail crosses a tributary.
Between 6th and 10th Streets along the Savanna River tells the story of the struggles and accomplishments Augusta faced to maintain a growing economy. Today, the Augusta Riverwalk consists of two brick levels featuring two of downtown Augusta’s largest water features, an amphitheater ideal for concerts, a Heroes Overlook honoring the men and women of the community who have won the Congressional Medal of Honor. , and a memorial park. Along the walkway are several small spots perfect for picnics and weddings, making the Augusta River-walk an ideal place to make memories.
