State parks, historic cities, vast lakes, history, hills, and beautiful scenery, along with good old-fashioned hospitality and southern charm, is what makes East Georgia a local favorite. and visitors.
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 of this scenic area. The Heritage Village part of the park allows you to step back into the past, where many historic buildings dating back to the late 19th century have been rescued and relocated to the park. The two two mile nature trail circuits 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 forested banks of the river and the falls area. The east trail crosses the falls and goes deep into the forest before descending to the riverbank passing an authentic mill.
Fort Yargo State Park is located 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 wide variety of outdoor recreation parks and landscapes, including a 260-acre lake ideal for swimming and fishing, makes it a popular destination for locals as well as people from afar. The state park adds more than 20 miles of walking and biking trails that are sure to put your stamina to the test. The seven-mile loop trail around the easy-to-moderate rated lake hugs the shoreline forest in many places, as well as meandering through the wooded highlands past the Rock Garden and over Heart Attack Hill.
Not only does the Georgia State Botanical Garden in Athens have 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 it is designated as an important bird habitat. White and orange loop trails covering just under five miles wind through serene wilderness areas and unusual features like cliffs along the Middle Oconee River. Meanwhile, the orange trail winds along a pretty rock-lined stream through a hardwood forest and then up old agricultural terraces through a pine forest. The White Trails trail leads along the forested riverbank before turning up hills and descending into steep 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 open water sunrises. For thrill seekers, the park has 15 miles of trails through the beautiful forests of eastern Georgia that range 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 picturesque rock dam, and through a deep ravine as it winds through a forest where the appearance and terrain change at every corner. The Rock Dam trail detours from the rear of the 2.1-mile Cliatt Creek Nature Trail Loop, making for a challenging yet 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 deer and turkey habitat. 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. The Campground’s 1.5-mile loop stretches for ¾ of a mile with the Beach Trail before turning west through a cluster of holly trees, descending to the lakefront where the trail crosses a tributary.
Between 6th and 10th streets along the Savanna River tells the story of the struggles and achievements Augusta faced in maintaining a growing economy. Today, the Augusta River Walk consists of two brick tiers displaying two of the largest water features in downtown Augusta, an amphitheater ideal for concerts, a Mirador de Héroes honoring the men and women of the community who have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. and a memorial park. Along the walkway are several small venues perfect for picnics or weddings, making the Augusta River Walk a great place to create memories.