Blackshear is the county seat of Pierce County, a small railroad town in the farm country of southeast Georgia, about 9 miles northeast of Waycross. It is named for Gen. David Blackshear. In the last weeks of 1864 more than 5,000 Union prisoners were held in a camp in the pine woods outside town, and the 1894 jail and the brick railroad depot still stand downtown. It makes an easy base for Laura S. Walker State Park and the Okefenokee Swamp. Here are the best things to do in Blackshear.
- From AtlantaAbout 240 miles, 4 hours 50 minutes without traffic
- CountyPierce County (county seat)
- Known forCivil War prison camp site, the 1894 “Hanging Jail,” the Pecan Festival of Georgia
- NearbyWaycross 9 miles; Laura S. Walker State Park 18 miles; Okefenokee about 21 miles
Looking for Lake Blackshear? That reservoir is near Cordele in southwest Georgia, about 130 miles west. See our Lake Blackshear fishing guide.
Top Things to Do in Blackshear
1. Civil War Prison Camp Site
From about November 18, 1864, to early January 1865, more than 5,000 Union soldiers moved out of Sherman’s path were held in an open camp in the pine woods outside Blackshear. A Georgia historical marker on GA 203 marks the spot. Our page tells the story in the prisoners’ own words.
2. The 1894 “Hanging Jail”
A Gothic brick-and-stone jail built in 1894 by the Pauly Jail Building company of St. Louis for $4,992. Its tower earned it the nickname, though no one was ever hanged there. The jailer’s family lived downstairs and prisoners were held upstairs.
3. Pierce County Heritage Museum and Depot
The historic brick railroad depot downtown holds a free museum with the area’s best exhibit on the prison camp, Civil War artifacts, tobacco and farm tools and an early-1900s store counter, plus a genealogy library. Open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 200 S. Central Ave., 912-449-7044.
4. Pecan Festival of Georgia
Each November, City Park fills with pecan treats, crafts, music and the chamber’s pecan pie and dessert contest. Pierce County sits in the heart of Georgia’s pecan country.
5. Laura S. Walker State Park
About 18 miles south, a 626-acre state park on the northern edge of the Okefenokee with a 120-acre lake for fishing and boating, a lakeshore nature trail where you may see alligators and pitcher plants, and an 18-hole golf course.
6. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
The swamp’s north entrance area near Waycross is about a half-hour drive. Paddle blackwater trails, look for alligators and wading birds, or take a guided boat tour. Our entrances guide explains which gate to use.
Pecan Festival of Georgia
The Pecan Festival of Georgia is Blackshear’s big day. The Exchange Club of Blackshear holds it on a Saturday in early November in City Park, 200 SW Central Ave.; the 2025 festival ran 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 8. The Pierce County Chamber of Commerce runs the pecan pie and dessert contest the same day. Check with the chamber for this year’s date before you drive down.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Waycross is 9 miles away, with Ware County parks and the main roads into the Okefenokee. The coast at Brunswick is about an hour and 20 minutes east, and St. Marys and Darien are within easy reach. See the Pierce County map for roads and WMAs, and our lodging and accommodations listings for a place to stay.
Make this trip yours
Turn this guide into a day-by-day plan for south Georgia, with a map, directions and stops you can swap.
Plan my tripCommon Questions
What is Blackshear, GA known for?
Blackshear is the county seat of Pierce County in southeast Georgia. It is known for its Civil War prison camp site, the 1894 “Hanging Jail,” the Pecan Festival of Georgia each November and its location next door to Waycross and the Okefenokee Swamp.
How far is Blackshear from Atlanta?
Blackshear is about 240 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 4 hours 50 minutes by car without traffic.
Is Lake Blackshear near Blackshear, GA?
No. Lake Blackshear is near Cordele in southwest Georgia, about 130 miles west of the town of Blackshear by road. See our Lake Blackshear fishing guide if that is the place you want.
When is the Pecan Festival in Blackshear?
The Pecan Festival of Georgia is held on a Saturday in early November in City Park, 200 SW Central Ave. It was held November 8, 2025. Check with the Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for this year’s date.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked against official sources and our own detailed pages. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) and from Blackshear using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Explore Georgia: Pierce County Heritage Museum and Depot
- Historical Marker Database: Confederate Prison Camp marker
- The Blackshear Times: Pecan Festival of Georgia
- Georgia State Parks: Laura S. Walker State Park
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.