Photo: savoryexposure, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This 5,804-acre park offers many recreational opportunities in a beautiful wooded setting. More than 24 miles of trails serve hikers and horseback riders, with equestrians enjoying their own camping area near the stalls. The 18-hole golf course offers year-round fun, and the lakeside beach and bathhouse are popular with swimmers during warmer months.
- Address5 Hard Labor Creek Rd., Rutledge, GA 30663
- Park Hours7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
- Office Hours8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone706-557-3001
- Golf Course706-557-3006
- Campsite & Cottage Reservations1-800-864-7275
Driving directions: I-20 Exit 105 into Rutledge, then 3 miles on Fairplay Rd.
Hard Labor Creek State Park Map
This is the Georgia State Parks map of Hard Labor Creek 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:
- Hard Labor Creek State Park official trail map (PDF) from Georgia State Parks
- Official Hard Labor Creek State Park page for hours, fees and current closures
Park Amenities
- 51 tent, trailer & RV campsites, plus 11 tent/pop-up and 2 buddy sites
- 4 pioneer group campgrounds
- 2 group camps, sleep 75–120
- 11 equestrian campsites
- 30 horse stalls & riding ring
- 20 cottages (some dog friendly)
- 4 picnic shelters with BBQ pits
- 2 group shelters, seat 85 & 120
- 18-hole golf course, rental carts & driving range
- 2 lakes
- Swimming beach & bathhouse (seasonal)
- Fishing
- Boat rental: pedal boats (seasonal), canoes & fishing boats
- 22-mile horseback riding trails (trail fee)
- 2.5-mile hiking trail
- 10 miles of biking trails (fee)
- GeoCaching
- Group camp programs
- Playground
- Observatory (open during scheduled shows)
- Weddings (park approval required)
Camping
Campgrounds
50, 40, 30 & 20-foot sites hold 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, or a trailer/motorhome up to the site’s length. Tent-only sites allow up to 2 tents. Water, 20 & 30-amp electric, picnic table, grill and fire ring. Cable hookup available for a $1 usage fee. Comfort station with washer/dryer. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Buddy Campsite
50-foot site holds 2 pop-up trailers, 2 trailers up to 50 feet, or 2 motorhomes up to 50 feet (no tent pads). Water, 20 & 30-amp electric, picnic table, grill, fire ring and cable hookup. No sewer hookup, but a dump station is available. Comfort station with washer/dryer. Maximum 12 people and 4 vehicles per site.
Horse Campsite
For campers with horses only. 50-foot sites hold 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, or a trailer/motorhome up to 50 feet. Water, 20 & 30-amp electric, picnic table, grill and fire ring. No cable hookups. Comfort station with washer/dryer. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Pioneer Campsites
Primitive, rugged sites for groups only, 10-person minimum. Site #1 is alone in the woods; sites #2, #3 & #4 sit next to each other on the lake. Each has a picnic shelter with table, grill, fire ring and outhouse – no water or electricity.
Group Camps
Reminiscent of summer camp, perfect for large youth gatherings. Rustic cabins with bunk beds, large kitchens, dining/assembly rooms, hot-shower restrooms, activity areas and swimming facilities. Linens not provided. Minimum stay 2 nights, deposit required; cancellations need 6 months’ notice or a $50 fee applies.
Cottages
Two-bedroom cottages sleep 8, two double beds per bedroom. One full bath, bed & bath linens provided, kitchen with microwave, heat/AC, cable TV, fireplace (wood not provided). No phone. Attached screened porch, picnic table and grill outside. Cottages 6 & 16 are ADA accessible with a wheelchair ramp on the porch and grab bars in the bathroom.
Photos
Lake BrantleyThe park's second lake
Hard Labor CreekFall color along the water
The ObservatoryRun by Georgia State University
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: I20sc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Group & Picnic Shelters
Group Shelter 1
Enclosed shelter below the Trading Post, handicap accessible. Heat/AC, ceiling fans, fireplace, tables, chairs and a fully equipped kitchen. Front deck with a BBQ and small grassy play areas. A meeting room is attached (normally $85, or $75 when rented with the shelter). ParkPass required.
Group Shelter 2
Enclosed shelter, handicap accessible, near the beach swimming area and Lake Rutledge. Tables, chairs, stove, sink, refrigerator, fans and a bathroom. No heat or air conditioning. Large grills located outside. ParkPass required.
Picnic Shelter 1
Water and electricity. Flat surface, ADA accessible. No restrooms nearby. ParkPass required.
Picnic Shelter 2
Located near the steps and Lake Brantley. Water and electricity. About 200 yards from restrooms. ParkPass required.
Picnic Shelter 4
Located across the road from an ADA-accessible restroom. Shelter is also ADA accessible with water and electricity. ParkPass required.
Picnic Shelter 5 (Premium)
Located near the Trading Post. Water, electricity and a large BBQ pit. Across from bathrooms and a playground. ParkPass required.
Observatory: A facility of Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, the Hard Labor Creek Observatory is a resource for professional and amateur astronomers, and also brings the wonders of the universe to Georgia residents through public programs.
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 the 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 $10 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 reservation handling fee.