South Augusta Trifecta
Trip Details:
Three State Park trip South of Augusta, GA
Type: Overnight/Weekend
Destinations/Locations: George L. Smith State Park, Magnolia Springs State Park, Hamburg State Park
Hotels:
Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Swainsboro
Hampton Inn Waynesboro
Using Google Maps, you can copy and paste the location name or coordinates into the google map search to find the Visitor Center/Main Office, since most do not have exact locations listed on their maps. It is recommended to visit, obtain a map, and talk with the Rangers about the park.
Can always pick up a souvenir as well.
George L. Smith State Park
Link: https://gastateparks.org/GeorgeLSmith
Visitor Center: 32.544868, -82.125473
Park Type: Lake, Ruins
Unique Features: A combination gristmill, saw mill, covered bridge and dam built in 1880. Within Watson Pond stands cypress and tupelo trees draped with Spanish moss.
Hiking Trails:
Deer Run Trail – trailhead located at the cover bridge, 3-mile loop, through woods, Easy Difficulty, heavily wooded trail with roots, rock, insects in the summer, mud after rains.
Watson Pond in George L. Smith State Park
Magnolia Springs State Park
Link: https://gastateparks.org/MagnoliaSprings
Visitor Center: Located at the building by the Camp Lawton Marker
Park Type: Small Lake, Natural Spring
Unique Features: Clear crystal springs with boardwalk over it, alligators along the water line, Civil War History
Hiking Trails:
Woodpecker Nature Trail: trailhead located at 32.878389, -81.957493, North of the visitor center. 1-mile loop, Easy Difficulty, traversing the boardwalk over the spring. Watch for Alligators along the water’s edge sunbathing. The trail continues into the woods to loop back around.
Fort Lawton Historic Trail: trailhead starts at the visitor center. 1-mile loop, Easy Difficulty, Hikers will pass what was the prison hospital, stockade, and a museum near the office.
Hamburg State Park
Link: https://gastateparks.org/Hamburg
Visitor Center: 33.206770, -82.778367
Park Type: Lake
Unique Features: The restored 1921 water-powered gristmill is still operational and used to grind corn during events, agricultural museum, all on Lake Hamburg
Hiking Trails:
The Red, White, and Blue trailheads all start from the park office. All trails are loops and considered Easy Difficulty. Blue is 0.25 miles, Red is 1.5 miles, and White is 2 miles long. All three trails follow the shoreline before looping back into the wooded areas.
The water-powered gristmill on Hamburg Lake