Georgia’s premier trout stream, Dukes Creek, runs through this spectacular 5,844-acre mountain property. It is a favorite for catch-and-release fishing.
Smithgall Woods State Park, long known as the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, is a terrific place to go and enjoy a peaceful day outdoors. Take a day to smell the flowers and have an outing with your friends and family. My husband and I visited on a weekend and saw families riding bikes together, lots of anglers and people lying on the green space basking in the sun.
- Address61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA 30545
- Park Hours7 a.m. – dark (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
- Office Hours8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone706-878-3087
- Cottage & Shelter Reservations1-800-864-7275
- GPS CoordinatesN 34.691950, W -83.767150
Driving directions: Located on GA Hwy 75 Alternate, 3 miles west of Helen, just south of the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA Hwy 348). All visitors must register at the Visitor Center.
Trout Fishing on Dukes Creek
Trout fishing is catch-and-release and by reservation only, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May. There is no fishing access for day-use visitors June through September, but overnight cottage guests may fish any day of their stay, year-round.
Park Amenities
- 5,844 acres
- Dukes Creek trout stream
- 6 cottages (17 bedrooms in all)
- Pioneer campground for youth & conservation groups
- 2 picnic shelters
- Visitor Center with Discovery Room
- 28 miles of trails
- 1-mile trail to Dukes Creek Falls
- Bay’s covered bridge
- Wildlife viewing & nature photography
- Birding
- Hunting & archery (scheduled)
- Ranger programs (reservations required)
- Environmental education
- GeoCaching
- Weddings (park approval required)
Hunting note: Many roads and trails close during scheduled hunts, so call before you go. The Laurel Ridge Trail is a safety zone and stays open for hiking at all times.
Photos
Bay’s BridgeA covered bridge over Dukes Creek
Dukes Creek FallsA 1-mile trail from the cottages
Laurel Ridge TrailOpen even during scheduled hunts
Photos via Flickr and Wikimedia Commons: atlnature, CC BY 2.0; jeffgunn, CC BY 2.0; Thomson200, public domain.
Our Visit
The Visitor Center is located close to the entrance of this lovely park, with wildlife displays inside. There’s a nice walking trail that starts just beyond the Visitor Center. It’s paved, easy to walk and ADA accessible: a little uphill at first, then mostly flat, with tall trees for shade, lots of smiling, colorful wildflowers and a couple of picnic shelters along the way.
We were surprised to discover Bay’s Bridge. This covered bridge over Dukes Creek is dedicated in loving memory of ‘Bay’ Elizabeth Smithgall Watts (1941–1994), a professor of anthropology at Tulane University, with a memorial on a rock just in front of it.
A trail leads to Dukes Creek Falls, about a mile from the cottages. You can take the scenic walk, or drive to the Dukes Creek Falls trailhead close by for a shorter hike to the falls.
Cottages & Camping
Cottages
Six cottages (Creekside, Smithgall, Dover, Parkside, Garden and Laurel) offer 17 bedrooms in all, and cottage guests get year-round trout fishing privileges on Dukes Creek.
Pioneer Campground
For youth and conservation groups only. Six primitive sites spread out in one area just past Bay’s Bridge, with a picnic shelter and grill, fire ring and vault toilet. Call the park for capacity limits.