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0 ItemsSWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Lithia Springs
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Atlanta Metro
HOURS
- Monday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Additional Info: Trail closes at dusk.
FEES
- Parking: $5.00
Sweetwater Creek is a peaceful tract of wilderness only minutes from bustling downtown Atlanta. A wooded trail 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 shoals below. The 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir is popular with anglers and provides a pretty setting for feeding ducks and canoing. Fishing supplies and snacks are available in the parks bait shop, while maps and park information may be found in the Visitor Center.
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Excellent and relaxing
Sweetwater Creek Park is somewhat unknown even to many residents here, but it's an excellent way to spend the day and relax.
There are several trails from easy to hard, and the most popular trail travels along Sweetwater Creek to the old Mill ruins. Great place to walk your dogs (on a leash!), hike, and take photos. No bikes or motor vehicles allowed on the trails. In cooler months very early or later, you might even see Deer along the trail as well. There is also a large lake with boating available, fishing, or just sit and feed the Geese and Ducks. There are also outdoor shelters for picnics and events.
Well worth the parking fee.
Mt. Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs, GA 30122
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From Fire, to Beetles, to You - Sweetwater Creek
2/12/2012
What does it take to manage a healthy forest? Join Forester Seth Weatherford as he leads this 2-mile hike on the White Trail and discusses timber management, tree diseases, insects, and the use of fire and timber thinning to benefit forest health. Meet at the Interpretive Center. $5 parking.
New Manchester History Hike
2/18/2012
This mile-long hike (easy to moderate) will lead to the five story ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester textile mill and focus on the history of the Sweetwater Creek Valley. This historian or ranger-led hike will include going inside the ruins. $4 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Green Building Tour
2/18/2012
The 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. $5 plus $5 parking.
Atlanta Audubon Society Intro to Birdwatching Hike
2/18/2012
This field trip is designed for anyone interested in learning more about birds, the important habitats critical to some species, and organizations like the Audubon Society which are dedicated to bird conservation. Meet at the park's Interpretive Center. $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Candle Light Hike to the Mill at Sweetwater Creek
2/18/2012
This mile-long guided night hike is easy to moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War era textile mill ruins of New Manchester. Candle lanterns will be provided. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Space is limited and is on a first-come first-serve basis.
Chattahoochee Riverside Hike - Sweetwater Creek
2/19/2012
This moderate three-mile hike will take us mostly alongside the Chattahoochee River inside the park. Explore beautiful and seldom-visited areas. Meet at the Interpretive Center where we will carpool 10 minutes to the trailhead. Register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Vanishing Habitat - Sweetwater Creek
2/19/2012
This ranger-led hike will take visitors to a seldom-seen area where a trace of the globally imperiled Mountain Longleaf Pine habitat has survived. We will discuss trees that share this habitat, plans to restore habitat, and take in some beautiful vistas from the ridgetops of this incredible area.
Rapids to Ruins Night Hike - Sweetwater Creek
2/24/2012
Join us for a night hike to the five story Civil War era ruins of the New Manchester Mill alongside the beautiful rapids of Sweetwater Creek. Sturdy shoes and flashlights are required. No children under 6 years or dogs permitted. Meet at the Interpretive Center $6 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Night Sounds Hike - Sweetwater Creek
2/25/2012
This ranger-led hike will focus on being out at night and listening to owls, insects, frogs, and other "creatures of the night". $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Fire, to Beetles, to You - Sweetwater Creek
2/25/2012
What does it take to manage a healthy forest? Join Forester Seth Weatherford as he leads this 2-mile hike on the White Trail and discusses timber management, tree diseases, insects, and the use of fire and timber thinning to benefit forest health. Meet at the Interpretive Center. $5 parking.
Backcountry Geology Hike at Sweetwater Creek
2/26/2012
Geologist and Friends member John Johnston will lead a moderate three-mile hike identifying rock types and explaining how they formed. Explore the beautiful Jack's Branch area and the seldom visited rock quarry of New Manchester. Meet in the Interpretive Center. $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
"Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike - Sweetwater Creek
3/9/2012
This 1.5-mile hike is moderately difficult and goes inside the Civil War-era textile mill ruins of New Manchester and follows the lovely rapids (up to class IV) of Sweetwater Creek. A flashlight and sturdy shoes are required. No children under 6 or dogs. Meet inside the Visitor Center.
Late Winter Wildflower Hike at Sweetwater Creek
3/17/2012
This moderately strenuous, 2.5-mile hike will take us through a variety of lovely habitats to view the very earliest of our spring wildflowers, the beloved Ephemerals. $5 plus $5 parking. 770-732-5871.
Moth Party - Sweetwater Creek
3/23/2012
One of the little known joys of studying natural history is setting up a blacklight and watching for moths after dark. The event will begin with a talk about identification guides, maps, graphs and other tools. Afterward, photograph moths and remain late into the evening as more moths come in.
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