Photo: Thomson M, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This 2,549-acre state park is a peaceful tract of wilderness just minutes from Atlanta. A popular trail follows a free-flowing stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Co., a textile mill burned during the Civil War.
Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs for views of a beautiful mile-long stretch of whitewater rapids. The 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular with anglers and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and canoeing.
Fishing supplies are available in the park's bait shop, while wildlife and history displays, trail maps, snacks, and gift items are in the Visitor Center – among the most environmentally responsible buildings in Georgia. The Visitor Center is now open Thursday through Saturday only.
- Address1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122
- Park Hours7 a.m. – dark daily
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone770-732-5871 (office 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Campsite & Shelter Reservations1-800-864-7275
- GPS CoordinatesN 33.753783, W -84.639000
Getting there: Take I-20 west from Atlanta to Exit #44 (Thornton Road), turn left and go 1/4 mile, turn right on Blaires Bridge Road, then after 2 miles turn left on Mount Vernon Road to the park. Park map
Sweetwater Creek State Park Map
This is the Georgia State Parks map of Sweetwater 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:
- Sweetwater Creek State Park official trail map (PDF) from Georgia State Parks
- Official Sweetwater Creek State Park page for hours, fees and current closures
Park Amenities
- 1 group shelter with BBQ pit (seats 150)
- 48 picnic sites
- 10 yurts
- 5 tent campsites
- 7 picnic shelters
- Ranger programs
- Visitor Center & gift shop
- Playgrounds
- 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir
- Lake bait shop
- 2 fishing docks (private boats/canoes allowed)
- Lake & stream fishing (electric motors only)
- Canoe, kayak, fishing boat & pedal boat rental (seasonal)
- Weddings (park approval required)
- 15 miles of trails (closed at dark)
Hiking Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red History Trail | 1 mile one-way | Easy to difficult | Blazed red. Passes the New Manchester Mill ruins. |
| Blue Nature Trail | 2 miles one-way | Moderate to difficult | Blazed blue. Includes a steep climb down to the falls deck. |
| White Trail | 3 miles one-way | Moderate to difficult | Blazed white. |
| Yellow Trail (east side) | 3-mile loop | Moderate to difficult | Blazed yellow. |
Ranger-led educational hikes are also available; check with the Visitor Center for the current schedule.
Conference Room
24' x 34' Conference Room
Seats up to 40 people, $100 per day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Includes a room divider, restrooms, heat and air, a projector with screen, a TV monitor with DVD player, and a dry erase board. Reserve through the Park Office at 770-732-5871 or 770-732-5873, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., 7 days a week. Cancellations must be made 30 days in advance (a handling fee applies); canceling inside 30 days forfeits the deposit.
Picnic Shelters
All visitors are required to have a ParkPass. All shelters have a 50-person maximum due to limited parking.
Enclosed Shelter
Restrooms, full kitchen, outside/inside grill, heat, and ceiling fans (no AC). Playground is just outside.
Open-Sided Shelters
Vehicle limits vary by shelter: Shelters 1 & 2 hold 30-40 cars, Shelters 3 & 4 hold 6 cars, Shelters 5, 10 & 11 hold 20 cars, Shelters 7 & 9 hold 15 cars, and Shelter 8 holds 9 cars.
Photos
Mill RuinsNew Manchester Manufacturing Co.
Whitewater RapidsA mile-long stretch below the bluffs
George Sparks Reservoir215 acres of fishing & paddling
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Dianne K Frost, CC BY-SA 4.0; Thomson M, CC BY 3.0; Dsdugan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reservations & Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be made at least 3 days before arrival for a refund, minus a handling fee. Changes made less than 3 days before arrival count as a cancellation and forfeit the deposit. 7-14 day guidelines: cancellations 30+ days out get a deposit refund minus a facility fee; inside 30 days but before 72 hours of arrival, request a refund in writing (a full refund minus a fee if rebooked for the same dates); within 72 hours of arrival, no refund is given.
Check-in is between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., check-out is before 1 p.m. Register and present a reservation confirmation before setting up, or you'll be counted a no-show and forfeit your deposit. One reservation change is allowed at no charge with 3 days' notice.