Photo: pseabolt, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
With natural beauty, lakeside camping and cozy cottages, this secluded park is a wonderful south Georgia retreat.
It is best known for the refurbished Parrish Mill, a combination grist mill, saw mill, covered bridge and dam built in 1880. Anglers and canoeists can explore the 412-acre mill pond dotted with Spanish moss-draped cypress trees and home to blue heron and white ibis.
Construction Underway
The park is building new yurts, and some RV sites are closed while the work is underway. The day-use area is also under construction. Call the park office at 478-763-2759 for details before you go.
- Address371 George L. Smith State Park Rd., Twin City, GA 30471
- Park Hours7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
- Office Hours8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone478-763-2759
- Campsite & Cottage Reservations1-800-864-7275
- GPS CoordinatesN 32.558560, W -82.119370
Driving directions: Located between Metter and Twin City off GA Hwy 23. Take I-16 Exit #104.
George L. Smith State Park Map
This is the Georgia State Parks map of George L. Smith State Park from 2008, kept in our archive. It shows the park’s roads and main facilities as they were laid out then, so newer buildings, campsites, trails and closures will not appear on it. Before you go, check the current maps below.
Current maps:
- George L. Smith State Park official 2024 park map (PDF) from Georgia State Parks
- Official George L. Smith State Park page for hours, fees and current closures
Park Amenities
- 1,634 acres
- 1880 Parrish Mill: grist mill, saw mill, covered bridge & dam
- 412-acre mill pond
- 52 tent, RV & trailer campsites
- 1 pioneer campground
- 10 cottages (one dog friendly)
- Yurts (under construction)
- 4 picnic shelters
- Conference center (seats 94)
- Boat ramp, 10 HP motor limit
- Canoe & kayak rentals
- Water trails, Park Paddlers Club
- 7 miles of hiking & biking trails
- Fishing
- Birding
- Playgrounds
- GeoCaching
- Accessibility for mobility-impaired
Photos
The MillpondMoss-draped cypress on 412 acres
Parrish MillWater-ground cornmeal, since 1880
Woodland WildlifeArmadillos, herons & white ibis
Photos via Flickr: PakaLoeff, CC BY 2.0; PakaLoeff, CC BY 2.0; muffinn, CC BY 2.0.
Camping
Campsites with Electricity
40-foot sites hold 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, or a trailer or motorhome up to 40 feet. Water, 30-amp electric, picnic table, grill and fire ring. No cable hookups. The comfort station has a washer and dryer, and there’s a fish cleaning station in the campground. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Pioneer Campsite
A primitive, rugged site for groups only, minimum 10 people. Campers walk 200 yards in; no vehicles permitted. The site sits by itself with 2 Adirondack shelters, 4 tent pads, benches, a fire ring, water, electricity and pit toilets.
Cottages
Two-bedroom cottages, each bedroom with two double beds and a full bath, sleeping 8. Bed and bath linens provided. Fully equipped kitchen with microwave, gas-log fireplace (seasonal), heat/AC and satellite TV. No phone. Screened porch, with a grill and picnic table outside. Some cottages sit in a wooded area about half a mile from the park office and lake, while others have lake views on the north end of the park. Ask about ADA-accessible cottages when you book.
Picnic Shelters
All visitors are required to have a ParkPass. Because the day-use area is under construction, call ahead to confirm which shelters are open.
Picnic Shelters #1 & #2
Open-sided covered shelters in shaded areas with water, electricity, lights, outlets, 10 tables and a large grill. Easy wheelchair access, near restrooms and the playground; Shelter #1 is near the water.
Picnic Shelters #3 & #4
Open-sided covered shelters in shaded areas with water, electricity, lights, outlets, a small grill and 4 picnic tables, near restrooms and the playground. Shelter #4 is next to the ball field.
Reservations & Cancellation Policy
Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to arrival to receive a refund; a cancellation/handling fee per reservation will be charged. Changing your arrival date less than 3 days before the scheduled arrival counts as a cancellation and forfeits the deposit.
7–14 Day Cottage Reservations: Cancellations 30+ days in advance receive a deposit refund minus a cancellation fee. Cancelling less than 30 days but before 72 hours of arrival: request a refund in writing; if the cottage is rebooked for the original dates, you’ll receive a full refund minus a cancellation fee. Cancelling within 72 hours of arrival forfeits the one-night deposit. Deposits are required for all reservations and are posted when the reservation is made.
Check-In/Check-Out: Check-in is between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m.; check-out is before 1 p.m. Campers must register and present a reservation confirmation before setting up. Not arriving on the first night of your stay counts as a no-show – your reservation is cancelled and the deposit forfeited.
Reservation Changes: One change is allowed at no charge with 3 days’ notice; additional changes incur a per-reservation handling fee.