Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Known as one of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, this 1,118-acre park contains the state’s longest covered bridge, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River. Built in 1885 by Washington (W.W.) King, son of freed slave and famous covered-bridge builder Horace King, the bridge is supported by a town lattice truss system held together with wooden pins.
- Address650 Watson Mill Rd., Comer, GA 30629
- Park Hours7 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily
- Office Hours8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass)
- Park Phone706-783-5349
- Campsite & Cottage Reservations1-800-864-7275
Driving directions: Located 3 miles south of Comer off GA Hwy 22.
Visit our Watson Mill Covered Bridge page to see video of the bridge and state park.
Park Amenities
- 21 tent, trailer & RV campsites
- 11 horse campground campsites
- 22 horse stables
- 3 pioneer campsites
- 3 log cabin bunkhouses
- 3 picnic shelters
- 1 group shelter, seats 100
- Fishing lake: catfish, bass & bream
- 5-acre mill pond
- Pedal boat rental (seasonal)
- 14 miles of horseback riding trails
- Bicycling: 5 miles of trails
- Hiking: 7 miles of trails
- Playground
- GeoCaching
- Weddings (park approval required)
Horseback Riding (trail fee, annual pass available) – 14 miles of trails, a camping area and stalls; no horse rental. Notice: horse trails open at 8 a.m., and a current negative Coggins test for each horse must be in the rider’s possession.
Camping
50-Foot Campsites
Holds 1 tent, 2 tents, a pop-up trailer, or a trailer/motorhome up to 50 feet. Water, 30-amp electric (adaptable to 50 amps), picnic table, grill and fire ring. Comfort station with washer/dryer. No cable. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Horse Campground
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. 50-amp electric and water hookups, picnic tables and campfire grills, accommodating a variety of trailer rigs. Restroom with hot/cold showers in the camping area. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Horse Camping Buddy Campsites
For campers with horses only. 50-foot sites hold up to 2 tents (no tent pads), one pop-up trailer, or one trailer/motorhome up to 50 feet. Water, 50-amp electric, picnic table, grill and fire ring. No cable hookup. Comfort station with washer/dryer. Maximum 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
Pioneer Campsite #1
A primitive, rugged site for groups or individuals, located by itself in the Big Cloud Creek area. Has water but no electricity; campground restroom is 200 yards away. Maximum 6 vehicles.
Pioneer Campsite #2
A primitive, rugged site for groups or individuals, located by itself on Big Cloud Creek next to the (out-of-service) bridge. Has water but no electricity; campground restroom is 200 yards away. Maximum 8 vehicles.
Pioneer Campsite #3
A primitive, rugged site for groups or individuals, located by itself in the Big Cloud Creek area. Has water but no electricity; campground restroom is 200 yards away. Maximum 8 vehicles.
Log Cabin Bunkhouses
Bunkhouses #1 & #2 are built in the style of an 1800s dogtrot, with two rooms on each side and a breezeway running through the middle. Bunkhouse #3 is a standalone unit. Each sleeps up to 8, with 2 full-size beds and 3 futons (one with a single bunk on top). A modern outhouse 30 yards from the front porch has a flush toilet, sink and hot/cold shower. Has heat/AC, electricity and a refrigerator, but food must be prepared on outside grills – bring your own linens or sleeping bags. Grill and picnic table just off the front porch, with a sitting area on the porch. No pets. Located in the equestrian area near the stables; can be rented with or without horses.
Photos
Mill Pond SpillwayWater spills past the 1885 bridge
Inside the Covered BridgeGeorgia's longest, at 229 feet
South Fork River ShoalsLate fall on the river
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Maganaenzi, CC BY-SA 4.0; Bubba73, CC BY-SA 3.0; Diliff, CC BY 2.5.
Group Shelters
Group Shelter A
End shelter with an outdoor BBQ pit, kitchen facilities, tables & chairs, bathroom, and central heat/AC. Private parking area.
Group Shelter B
End shelter with heat, air conditioning, ceiling fans, stove, sink, refrigerator, table & chairs, and a BBQ pit. Near the swimming beach with a connected restroom. Handicap accessible.
Picnic Shelters
All visitors are required to have a ParkPass.
Picnic Shelter #1
Open-sided covered shelter at the playground and restrooms, near Shelter #2. Water, electricity and a grill.
Picnic Shelter #2
Open-sided covered shelter at the playground and restrooms, near Shelter #1. Water, electricity and a grill. Not wheelchair accessible – requires crossing 3 steps.
Picnic Shelter #3
Open-sided covered shelter with a view of the shoals below the dam and covered bridge. Water, electricity and a grill.
Horse Stables & Stalls
Each stall is 10’ x 12’ and can be locked for security; keys are picked up at the park office. Two horses may share a stall if they get along well. Stalls cannot be rented without a campsite rental in the camping stables. Any horse entering the park must have proof of a current negative Coggins test, and there is a $3 per-rider trail fee.
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 $10 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 $10 per-reservation handling fee.