Smithgall Woods

About

Smithgall Woods State Park offers primitive group camping at its Pioneer Campground, which is reserved exclusively for youth and conservation organizations such as Scout troops. The campground cannot accommodate RVs or trailers and is designed for tent camping with basic amenities typical of Georgia State Parks pioneer sites. The park was gifted to Georgia in 1994 by conservationist Charles A. Smithgall Jr. and spans 5,664 acres of Appalachian foothills west of the alpine village of Helen. Dukes Creek, a premier catch-and-release trout stream, flows through the property. Fishing is permitted only on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from October through May and requires a separate reservation. Five miles of hiking trails and 18 miles of roads provide access for hikers and mountain bikers. The park also features six well-appointed cottages for those seeking more comfortable accommodations. Several cottages have stream-side porches or private hot tubs. A one-mile trail connects the cottage area to scenic Dukes Creek Falls.

Directions

From Helen, take GA-75 Alt west for approximately 3 miles. The park entrance is at 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA 30545.