Georgia's Hard Labor Creek State Park

Discover Georgia's Hard Labor Creek State Park - This 5804-acre park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities in a beautiful wooded setting. More than 24 miles of trails are available for hikers and horseback riders, and equestrians can enjoy their own camping area near stalls. The golf course offers year-round fun, and the lakeside beach and bathhouse are popular with swimmers during warmer months.

Videos of places and things to do in Georgia

Flowing creek at Hard Labor Creek State Park

Park Amenities

63 tent, RV and trailer campsites

pioneer campground

2 group camps that sleeps 75 - 120 people

12 equestrian campsites

30 horse stalls

horse riding ring

20 cottages - cottages #13 and #17 are dog friendly

4 picnic shelters with BBQ pits

2 group shelters that seat 85 and 120 people

18-hole golf course with pro shop and rental carts

2 lakes

fishing

seasonal canoe, pedal and fishing boats for rent

swimming beach

bath house

22-mile horseback riding trails

2.5 miles of hiking trails.

Campgrounds

Campgrounds - 50, 40, 30, & 20 foot campsites hold the following equipment: 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, a trailer or motorhome up to 50, 40, 30 or 20' (depending on size of site reserved). Tent Only sites allow up to 2 tents max. Each site has water, 20 & 30 amp electrical service, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Cable hook up available with a $1 usage fee. Comfort station has washer/dryer. Maximum 6 people per site. Maximum 2 vehicles per site.

Buddy Campsite - 50 foot Buddy campsite holds the following equipment: 2 pop-up trailers, 2 trailers up to 50', or 2 motorhomes up to 50'. Please not that this site does not have tent pads. Site has water, 20 & 30 amp electrical service, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. Does not have sewer hook-up. Dump station available. Cable hook ups. The comfort station has washer/dryer. Maximum 12 people per site. Maximum 4 vehicles per site.

Horse Campsite - For campers with horses only. 50 foot campsites hold the following equipment: 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailers, a trailer up to 50', or a motorhome up to 50'. Each site has water, 20 and 30 amp electrical service, picnic table, grill, and fire ring. No cable hook ups. The comfort station has washer and dryer. Maximum 6 people per site. Maximum 2 vehicles per site.

Pioneer Campsites - This is a primitive, rugged site for groups only, with a 10 person minimum. Site #1 is located by itself in the woods, and sites #2, #3, and #4 are located next to each other on the lake. Sites include picnic shelter with table, grill, fire ring, and outhouse with no water or electricity.

Group camps are reminiscent of going away to summer camp and are perfect for large youth gatherings. While each is unique, they all provide rustic “cabins” with bunk beds, large kitchens, dining/assembly rooms, restrooms with hot showers, activity areas and swimming facilities (except Unicoi). Linens are not provided. Minimum occupancy is two nights, and a deposit is required. Cancellations must be made at least six months in advance and will be assessed a $50 cancellation fee.

Cottages

Cottages 1-20, 6 & 16 ADA - Two bedroom cottage that sleeps 8. Each bedroom has two double beds. Cottage has one full bath. Bed and bath linens are provided. The fully equipped kitchen includes a microwave. Cottage has heat/ac, cable tv, and a fireplace (wood not provided). No phone in cottage. There is an attached screened porch, and a picnic table and grill outside. Cottages 6 and 16 are ADA accessible. Cottages 6 and 16 have 1 accessible bathroom. Wheel ramp on porch and bars to hold onto in bathroom area.

Group Shelters

Group Shelter 1 - Enclosed shelter, located below Trading Post. Shelter is handicapped accessible. Shelter has heat/ac, ceiling fans, fireplace, tables, chairs, and a fully equipped kitchen. There is also a front deck with a bbq and small grassy playing areas. A meeting room is attached to this shelter. The meeting room normally rents for $85 but if rented in conjunction with the shelter, the cost is only $75. All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.

Group Shelter 2 - Enclosed shelter, handicapped accessible. Located near beach swimming area and Lake Rutledge. Shelter has tables, chairs, stove, sink, refrigerator, fans and bathroom. There is no heat or air conditioning. Large grills are located outside. All visitors are required to have a parkpass.

Picnic Shelters

Picnic Shelter 1 - Shelter has water and electricity. Surface is flat so it is ADA accessible. There are no restrooms nearby. All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.

Picnic Shelter 2: Located near steps and Lake Brantley. Shelter has water and electricity. Located 200 yards from restrooms. All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.

Picnic 4: Located across the road from ADA accessible restroom. Shelter is also ADA accessible and has water and electricity. All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.

Picnic Shelter 5 - Premium shelter, located near Trading Post. Shelter has water, electricity, and a large bbq pit. Located across from bathrooms and playground. All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.

Observatory

A Facility of Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, the Hard Labor Creek Observatory is a resource for professional and amateur astronomers. However, an additional service of HLCO has been to the public - bringing the wonders of the Universe to Georgia residents.

Hours and Fees

Park Hours - Open at 8 am - 5 pm - Park Hours - 7 am - 10 pm - $5 Parking Fee

Contact, Address, Driving Directions and Map

Phone: 706-557-3001 at 8 am - 5 pm
Campsite and Cottage Reservations: 1-800-864-7275
Address: 5 Hard Labor Creek Road, Rutledge, GA 30663
Directions: I-20 Exit #105 into Rutledge and go 3 miles on Fairplay Rd. Park Facilities Map

Reservations Cancellation Policy

Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to the date of arrival in order to receive a refund. A $10 cancellation/handling fee per reservation will be charged. Changes in arrival date made less than 3 days prior to the scheduled arrival will constitute a cancellation and forfeit of the deposit. 7-14 day Cottage Reservation Guidelines: All cancellations received 30 days in advance will receive deposit refund minus the $10 cancellation fee per facility.

If a customer requests to cancel less then 30 days in advance but before 72 hours of arrival, the customer may request refund in witting to the site. If cottage is rebooked for the time period originally reserved, site will have Customer Service issue a full refund to the customer minus $10 cancellation fee. If reservation is cancelled within 72 hours of arrival date no refund of the one night deposit will be given. Deposits are required for all reservations. Credit card deposits are posted when the reservation is made.

Check-in - Check-in is between 1 pm and 10 pm and check-out is before 1 pm. Campers must register and present a reservation confirmation before setting up. If you do not arrive on the first night of your stay, you will be counted as a no-show, your reservation will be cancelled, and you will forfeit your deposit.

Reservation Changes (Changes in arrival dates, transfers, etc.)
You may make one change without a charge, provided a 3-day notice is given. Additional changes will incur a $10 per reservation handling fee.

Note: There is no water at the sites from 11/1 to 4/1, and there is a steep grade up mountain.