Nearby Round Oak are the beautiful, protected lands of the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest, including the 35,000-acre Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1807, Round Oak was formed as a pioneer settlement of the newly formed Jones County. It was first called Sylvania, and later became known as Round Oak, for a huge old oak tree that Native American Indians gathered around for their pow-wows. During the Battle of Sunshine Church, a Confederate cannon was also positioned under this historic oak. The settlement was on the Hillsboro-to-Clinton road, a former Creek Indian trail. Today, Route 11 follows the same general path through Round Oak.