Sweetwater Creek State Park

Open — Open year-round with camping available by reservation. Park hours are 7 a.m. to dark. Visitor center and bait shop hours vary seasonally.

About

Sweetwater Creek State Park is a 2,549-acre wilderness preserve located in Douglas County, just 15 miles from downtown Atlanta. The park provides a peaceful escape with remarkable natural beauty, featuring rugged hills, rocky outcrops, and rolling rapids along Sweetwater Creek. Camping options include 5 walk-in tent campsites and 10 yurts situated near the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir. Dogs are not allowed in the yurts. The park's trail system spans 15 miles through diverse landscapes of hardwood forests, ferns, magnolias, and wild azaleas. A popular wooded trail follows Sweetwater Creek to the historic ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill destroyed during the Civil War. Beyond the ruins, trails climb rocky bluffs offering views of beautiful rapids below. Park rangers lead informative guided hikes throughout the year. The George Sparks Reservoir serves as the centerpiece for water-based recreation, with two fishing docks, a boat ramp allowing electric motors only, and a bait shop. During warmer months, the park rents fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and pedal boats. An award-winning visitor center, recognized as one of the most environmentally responsible buildings in the country, features exhibits on local history, wildlife displays, and a gift shop. Additional facilities include 7 picnic shelters, 2 playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, and a meeting room that seats 40.

Directions

Located at 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122. From Atlanta, take I-20 west to exit 44, then follow signs to the park entrance.

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