Georgia
Nature|National & State Parks

Smithgall Woods State Park Is Turning 30 Years Old And It’s The Perfect Spot For A Georgia Day Trip

Published Jan 12, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

">We have a lot of state parks in Georgia (49, to be exact). One is celebrating a special milestone this year: the wonderful Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen, GA is turning 30 years old. Helen is one of my favorite towns in the state, and there's a lot to do in this little German-themed village, but make sure you don't skip out on the region's natural beauty! Smithgall Woods is just one of several state parks in the area, and they're all worth a visit. In Smithgall Woods, you'll find endless opportunities for recreation, whether you're hoping to hike, fish, hunt, bird watch, or picnic. Check it out:

Smithgall Woods is comprised of more than 5,666 acres. This is a stunning region of the state, and you'll find plenty of amazing mountain views along the trails.

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Amy Teather/Alltrails

The park is home to Duke's Creek, a trout stream that's open seasonally for catch-and-release fishing.

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Melody Caton/Alltrails

There are more than 28 miles of trails here, with varying difficulties.

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Kelli Kreager/Alltrails

You'll find several easy, short trails if you're short on time or out with kids, but the 8.5-mile Martins Mine and Ash Creek Trail is a grand adventure for those seeking more of a challenge.

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Andrew Pope/Alltrails

If you get here and decide you just can't bear to leave, there are six cottages available for rent.

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Eric Smithson/Alltrails

This is such a beautiful park with so many opportunities for fun!

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Heather Clay/Alltrails

For more information about Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen, GA, check out the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website.

There are a few wonderful hiking trails in Smithgall Woods State Park. You can learn more about the park's hiking opportunities from our friends at Alltrails. Adventurous explorers who love to spend time on the trails will want to consider a free trial of Alltrails+, which includes great benefits like downloadable trail maps and turn-by-turn directions.

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Nature|National & State Parks

This State Park In Georgia Is So Little Known, You’ll Practically Have It All To Yourself

George L. Smith State Park in Georgia offers a secluded and tranquil getaway with hiking, bird watching, and canoeing opportunities.

Updated Aug 11, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Don't get us wrong: there's typically a reason that the most popular parks in the Peach State are considered among the best parks in Georgia. Stone Mountain? Amazing. Cloudland Canyon? One of the prettiest places in the state. Tallulah Gorge? An undeniable natural wonder of Georgia. But sometimes, you get the urge to go somewhere that's a little bit less traveled and check out some of the best hidden gems in Georgia. We all want some time away from crowds at times, but that doesn't mean you have to go shut yourself up at home. Head out to one of the great secret parks in Georgia. One of our favorites is George L. Smith State Park. This park in Twin City is a great South Georgia getaway that's secluded, tranquil, and absolutely stunning.

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George L. Smith State Park spans over 1,600 acres in Emanuel County. The park is hidden away in a remote area of the state that isn't commonly visited by tourists, so it's much less frequented than other parks that are better-known... but it's still one of the best parks in GA.

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This park has a variety of attractions that make it the ideal place to spend a day. You'll find plenty to entertain you, including seven miles of hiking trails.

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The trails will take you through both a bird sanctuary and a tortoise habitat, so there's plenty to observe. The park contains a wide array of tree species that attract many different bird species to the area: this is a bird watcher's paradise!

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Benjamin Davis-Minjarez/Google Reviews

Many visitors opt to explore the trails via bike.

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There are also 10 miles of canoe trail if you prefer to do your "hiking" on the water.

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Jessenia Davis Fernandez/Google Reviews

Kayaks and canoes are both available for rent if you don't own your own.

The park also contains a pond, which is a great spot for fishing, an old grist mill, and a covered bridge.

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Big Al/Google Reviews

This is such a beautiful place to get away from it all!

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chad crow/Google Reviews

For more information about George L. Smith State Park, check out the Georgia State Parks website. You can also learn more about the hiking opportunities here from our friends at AllTrails.

Have you ever visited this hidden gem in Georgia? Share your experiences in the comments!

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Nature|National & State Parks

Tiny But Mighty, The Smallest State Park In Georgia Is A Hidden Gem Worth Exploring

Moccasin Creek State Park, Georgia's smallest state park, offers stunning scenery and various recreational activities despite its small size.

Updated Aug 10, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

People often think larger Georgia state parks are better. Sure, places like the 9,000-acre F.D. Roosevelt State Park are spectacular. There's so much to see and do, and whether you're looking for recreational activities or just want to sightsee, there's enough land that you will never run out of space to explore at the best state parks in Georgia. But don't ignore our smaller state parks in the Peach State! The smallest state park in Georgia is Moccasin Creek State Park in Rabun County. This little gem is a mere 32 acres, but it's absolutely stunning and is definitely worth a visit!

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Rabun County is tiny. It's in the very northeasternmost corner of the state and has a population of around 16,000. Because it's a fairly rural area with no major cities to speak of, it can sometimes be ignored by tourists.

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Jim Williams/Google Maps

However, it's one of our favorite hidden gems in Georgia. The Blue Ridge Mountains region is incredibly gorgeous, and within Rabun County, you'll find 17 public waterfalls.

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Brian Solomon/Google Maps

One of the prettiest destinations in Rabun County is the lovely little Moccasin Creek State Park. This 32-acre park is small in size, but big on beauty and fun.

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Mark Smith/Google Maps

The park borders the 2,800-acre Lake Burton, a great spot for fishing, kayaking, and skiing.

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Janice Howser/Google Maps

Moccasin Creek State Park has a fully accessible fishing pier open to seniors and children.

You'll also find picturesque trails here that meander through the mountains.

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Wojciech Bielawski/Google

There are also tent, trailer, and RV campsites if you'd like to relax in this natural haven for more than an afternoon.

Moccasin Creek State Park may not be very large, but it has gorgeous scenery and plenty of opportunities for fun.

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Amy Gallagher/Google

Have you ever visited Moccasin Creek State Park, the smallest state park in Georgia? Share your experiences in the comments! Parks like this often have some excellent hiking trails and these are some of the best ones:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/georgia/family-hikes-ga/

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