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     Sweetwater Creek State Park

Reservations (800) 864-7275
Park (770) 732-5871

FACILITIES AVAILABLE for July 3-5 weekend!
No Facilities Available
(as of June 30, 2009 - availability updates are posted every Tuesday)
NOTICE: The park's Visitor Center is now open Thursday through Saturday only.
Sweetwater Creek is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from bustling downtown Atlanta. The most popular trail (red) follows the free-flowing stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful mile-long stretch of white-water rapids below. 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 may be found in the Visitor Center -- the most environmentally responsible building in Georgia (LEED-NC PLATINUM).

/ Sweetwater: A Timeless Place

Park Hours: 7AM-10PM Daily
Visitor Center/Office Hours: 8AM-5PM Thursday through Saturday
Trails close at dark; other areas close at dark if not in use.




FACILITIES:
  • 2,549 Acres
  • 215-Acre Lake
  • Visitor Center and Gift Shop
  • Meeting Room (seats 40, $100)
  • 11 Picnic Shelters ($65)
  • Group Shelter and BBQ Pit (seats 150, $200)
  • 2 Fishing Docks
  • Playgrounds

ACTIVITIES:
  • Hiking - 9 miles of trails
  • Lake and stream fishing - electric motors only
  • Canoe (seasonal) and Fishing Boat Rental
  • Picnicking
  • Ranger Programs

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

OTHER:

Become a "Friend" of Sweetwater Creek State Park
  Make a reservation . . .
  

Events
Get Outdoors Georgia New Manchester History Hike
Saturdays 10 AM - 12 PM until Sep 26, 2009 
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead us to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley...  $1-$2 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Get Outdoors Georgia "Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike
Tuesday, Jul 7, 2009 8 PM to 10 PM
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 8 PM to 10 PM
Friday, Sep 4, 2009 8 PM to 10 PM
Sunday, Oct 4, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
Monday, Nov 2, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
Wednesday, Dec 2, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
Thursday, Dec 31, 2009 7 PM to 9 PM
This 1.5-mile guided hike is moderately difficult and visits the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. The hike will continue if it is overcast but will be cancelled if raining. Bring a flashlight and sturdy shoes...  $1-$2 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia Geology Hike
Saturday, Jul 11, 2009 10 AM to 12 PM
Saturday, Aug 1, 2009 10 AM to 12 PM
Geologist and Friends of Sweetwater Creek State Park member John Johnston will lead a moderate 2-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. There will also be a visit inside the ruins of the Civil War era New Manchester Mill alongside the beautiful rapids of Sweetwater Creek.  $1-$2 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5876.
Green Building Tour
Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 2 PM to 3:30 PM
Handicapped AccessibleThe Park's Visitor Center/Museum is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings anywhere. It has received the highest LEED certification (Platinum) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn about sustainability, green buildings and what makes this one so special.  $1-$2 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5876.
Get Outdoors Georgia Sweetwater Creek Junior Ranger Campout
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 until Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 4 PM to 10 AM
Children 8-12 will enjoy learning in the outdoors and camping out while earning a Junior Ranger badge...  $25 per child. 770-732-5876.

  Address/Directions
Sweetwater Creek State Park
1750 Mt. Vernon Road
Lithia Springs , GA 30122

Mailing Address
P. O. Box 816
Lithia Springs, GA 30122

 Take I-20 west from Atlanta, exit #44 at Thornton Road, turn left and go 1/4 mile. Turn right on Blairs Bridge Road, go 2 miles and turn left on Mount Vernon Road.

 
 
Make reservations using the options above or call 1-800-864-7275 (Monday-Friday, 8AM-8PM; Saturday-Sunday, 9AM-5PM EST).
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